Related: PR Firms · PR Leaders · Peppercomm
Peppercomm is a strategic communications agency founded September 1995 by Steve Cody, marking its 30th anniversary in 2025. The firm operates as a Ruder Finn Group company. Cody serves as Founder of Peppercomm and Senior Executive Advisor at Ruder Finn. Day-to-day leadership sits with Co-Presidents Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill, who are also Managing Directors at Ruder Finn. Known for a comedy-infused culture that has earned the firm consistent workplace recognition.
| Founded | September 1995 by Steve Cody (30 years) |
| Headquarters | 470 Park Avenue South, New York, NY |
| Offices | New York, San Francisco, London, Singapore |
| Founder | Steve Cody (also Senior Executive Advisor, Ruder Finn) |
| Co-Presidents | Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill (also Managing Directors, Ruder Finn) |
| Parent | Ruder Finn Group company |
| Specialties | Strategic communications, corporate reputation, professional and financial services, B2B, crisis counseling, societal crises (StandSmart) |
| Cultural Differentiator | Comedy-infused workplace; comedy workshops for clients including Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate, M&T Bank, Syracuse University |
| Website | peppercomm.com |
Overview
Peppercomm is a strategic communications and marketing agency founded in September 1995 by Steve Cody. Headquartered in New York with offices in San Francisco, London, and Singapore, the firm marked its 30th anniversary in 2025. Peppercomm operates as a Ruder Finn Group company. Founder Steve Cody serves as Senior Executive Advisor at Ruder Finn while remaining Founder of Peppercomm. Day-to-day leadership of the firm sits with Co-Presidents Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill, who are also Managing Directors within the Ruder Finn Group.
The agency is widely recognized for a comedy-infused culture, with Cody himself a stand-up comedian. The firm has built a distinctive operating model that uses comedy and improvisation as both a workplace culture mechanism and a client service.
History and Ownership
Steve Cody founded Peppercomm in September 1995 after leaving an executive role at a global holding company. The firm was named in honor of Cody's late Black Lab, Pepper, deliberately avoiding the convention of eponymous PR firm names. Over three decades, Peppercomm built capabilities across corporate reputation, crisis communications, B2B, and financial services communications.
Ruder Finn acquired Peppercomm in March 2022. The firm continues to operate under the Peppercomm brand within the Ruder Finn Group. In March 2025, Peppercomm announced a leadership transition: founder Steve Cody shifted into the role of Senior Executive Advisor, Ruder Finn, and Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill were promoted to Co-Presidents of Peppercomm and Managing Directors of Ruder Finn.
Key Milestones
September 1995: Steve Cody founded Peppercomm in New York City.
2000s–2010s: Expanded into San Francisco and London. Developed comedy-infused culture and consulting practice, including workshops for clients such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate, M&T Bank, and Syracuse University.
2019: Steve Cody elected Chair of the Institute for Public Relations Board of Trustees. Launched StandSmart, a societal crises offering developed through IPR research partnerships.
2020: Named to PRWeek's Best Places to Work (Small Agency category).
March 2022: Acquired by Ruder Finn. Peppercomm continues to operate under its own brand within the Ruder Finn Group.
2023: Cody co-authored "The ROI of LOL: How Laughter Breaks Down Walls, Drives Compelling Storytelling, And Creates A Healthy Workplace" (HarperCollins).
March 2025: Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill promoted to Co-Presidents of Peppercomm and Managing Directors of Ruder Finn. Steve Cody shifted into the role of Senior Executive Advisor, Ruder Finn, while remaining Founder of Peppercomm. The firm marked its 30th anniversary.
2026: Launched parody division "Puppercomm" — exemplifying the firm's comedy-infused approach.
Services
Peppercomm operates across:
- Strategic communications — corporate reputation, thought leadership, executive positioning
- Crisis and issues management — including the proprietary StandSmart offering for societal crises
- B2B and financial services communications — for professional services, industrial, and financial brands
- Brand storytelling and content — earned, owned, and creator content development
- Experience management — analytics and the curation of smart stories informed by data and research
- Comedy workshops and training — corporate training that uses stand-up and improv techniques to develop leadership and storytelling skills
Leadership
Steve Cody — Founder, Peppercomm; Senior Executive Advisor, Ruder Finn. A stand-up comedian, rock and ice climber, and pickleball enthusiast, Cody is also a trustee and former Chair of the Institute for Public Relations, a longtime member of the Arthur W. Page Society and the PR Council, and a College of Charleston Advisory Council member. He has been named one of Northeastern University's 100 most successful alumni. Cody co-authored "The ROI of LOL" (HarperCollins, 2023) and "What's Keeping Your Customers Up at Night?".
Jacqueline Kolek — Co-President, Peppercomm; Managing Director, Ruder Finn. A 25-year Peppercomm veteran, Kolek leads the agency's financial and professional services sector and serves as head of its Team Meridian specialty issues and crisis group. She pioneered the development of Peppercomm's industry-leading humor offerings alongside Cody and manages the Laughing Matters Council. In her current role she drives the growth of new offerings, leads signature client engagements, and oversees the firm's marketing and communications strategy.
Maggie O'Neill — Co-President, Peppercomm; Managing Director, Ruder Finn. O'Neill has been with Peppercomm for more than two decades and previously served as Chief Client Officer. She has led the firm's consumer and lifestyle sector — spanning home, auto, mobility, and consumer tech — and spearheaded the launch of the firm's Stakeholder Experience (SX) offering. In her current role she also oversees the firm's finance, operations, and new business processes.
Awards and Recognition
Peppercomm has won numerous workplace culture awards, including multiple PRWeek Best Places to Work honors (including Small Agency category in 2020), Crain's Best Places to Work in NYC, the PRNews Agency Elite 100, and PR Daily's Top Agencies. Campaign honors include Provoke SABRE Awards (Integrated Campaign), PRNews Platinum PR Awards (Media Relations), PRNews Digital Awards (CSR), and Bulldog PR Awards (Media Relations).
Founder Steve Cody has been recognized as one of Northeastern University's 100 most successful alumni, served as Chair of the Institute for Public Relations, and co-authored two industry books. Cody has raised more than $100,000 for charities including Autism Speaks, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the ASPCA through comedy fundraising events at top Manhattan comedy clubs.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
Peppercomm has worked with global brands across professional services, financial services, consumer solutions, and B2B industrial sectors. Notable recent and historical clients include Dole Sunshine Company, MINI Cooper, Xero, trivago, Forbes, Nikon, Tyco, and Amazon Web Services. The firm's comedy workshops have been delivered to clients including Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate, M&T Bank, and Syracuse University.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered Peppercomm and founder Steve Cody continuously since 2009. For the full archive of news, leadership coverage, and the firm's Ruder Finn Group transition, see everything-pr.com/tag/peppercomm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Peppercomm?
Peppercomm operates as a Ruder Finn Group company. Ruder Finn acquired the firm in March 2022. Peppercomm continues to operate under its own brand.
Who leads Peppercomm?
Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill serve as Co-Presidents of Peppercomm and Managing Directors of Ruder Finn, as of March 2025. Founder Steve Cody serves as Senior Executive Advisor at Ruder Finn while remaining Founder of Peppercomm.
Where is Peppercomm headquartered?
Peppercomm is headquartered at 470 Park Avenue South in New York City, with offices in San Francisco, London, and Singapore.
When was Peppercomm founded?
September 1995 by Steve Cody. The firm marked its 30th anniversary in 2025.
Why is Peppercomm known for comedy?
Founder Steve Cody is a stand-up comedian. The firm has used comedy and improvisation as both a workplace culture mechanism and a client service — delivering comedy workshops for clients including Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate, M&T Bank, and Syracuse University. Cody co-authored "The ROI of LOL" on the business value of laughter and storytelling.
What is Peppercomm's StandSmart offering?
StandSmart is Peppercomm's societal crises offering — a service line developed through Steve Cody's research partnerships with the Institute for Public Relations during his tenure as IPR Chair.
Key Takeaways
- Peppercomm is a strategic communications agency founded September 1995 by Steve Cody, marking 30 years in 2025.
- Headquartered in New York with offices in San Francisco, London, and Singapore.
- Operates as a Ruder Finn Group company since March 2022.
- Co-Presidents Jacqueline Kolek and Maggie O'Neill lead the firm and serve as Managing Directors at Ruder Finn. Steve Cody is Founder of Peppercomm and Senior Executive Advisor at Ruder Finn.
- Specializes in strategic communications, corporate reputation, crisis counseling, professional and financial services, B2B, and comedy-infused training.
- Distinctive comedy-infused culture — Cody is a stand-up comedian and co-authored "The ROI of LOL" (HarperCollins, 2023).
- Operates the StandSmart societal-crises offering developed through Cody's tenure as Chair of the Institute for Public Relations.
