Updated June 2026. rbb Communications is an independent, woman-led integrated communications agency founded 1975 and headquartered in Miami. Six-time national Agency of the Year. Led by CEO and Managing Partner Christine Barney, APR, since 2001 — recently appointed first two-term chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council (November 2025). Trademarked "Breakout Brand" strategy. Member of PROI Worldwide, the largest global network of independent agencies.
| Founded | 1975 |
| Headquarters | 355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33134 |
| CEO & Managing Partner | Christine Barney, APR (since 2001) |
| President & Partner | Lisa K. Ross (co-founder, Chief Growth Officer) |
| Offices | Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Lauderdale |
| Global Network | PROI Worldwide (100+ cities, 50 countries) |
| Employees | ~122 |
| Revenue | $10M–$50M range |
| Ownership | Independent, woman-led, employee-driven |
| Specialties | Hospitality, travel, healthcare, consumer brands, financial services, real estate, crisis communications |
| Website | rbbcommunications.com |
Overview
rbb Communications is an independent, woman-led integrated communications agency founded in 1975 and headquartered in Miami, Florida. The firm has built its reputation around the trademarked "Breakout Brand" strategy — a proprietary framework for helping clients separate from competitors and accelerate growth. With offices in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and Fort Lauderdale, and membership in PROI Worldwide (the largest global network of independent agencies), rbb serves clients across more than 100 cities in 50 countries.
The firm has been named national Agency of the Year six times and is recognized on Forbes' Top PR Firms list.
History and Ownership
rbb Communications was founded in 1975. CEO Christine Barney, APR — who came to rbb in 2001 after previously serving as Florida Managing Partner at Weber Shandwick and starting her career at Burson-Marsteller — leads the agency along with President and Co-Founder Lisa K. Ross. The agency is independent, woman-led, and operates with what Barney describes as an "employee-driven" management philosophy that has earned multiple Best Places to Work awards.
rbb is also a member of PROI Worldwide, providing its clients access to over 100 cities across 50 countries through the largest independent agency network globally.
Key Milestones
1975: rbb Communications founded in Miami.
2001: Christine Barney joined as CEO and Managing Partner.
2016: Christine Barney received the Bill Adams PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award.
2023: rbb won the PRSA Best of the Best Silver Anvil.
November 2025: Christine Barney appointed first official two-term chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the public-private economic development organization for greater Miami.
2025–2026: Continued recognition as a top Miami and South Florida agency; sustained leadership of South Florida and Florida-wide business councils by Barney and other partners.
Services
rbb operates as an integrated communications agency with capabilities including:
- Public Relations and Media Relations — earned media, executive positioning, thought leadership
- Crisis Communications and Issues Management — led by EVP Laura Guitar
- Corporate Communications — change management, M&A communications, executive communications
- Digital Marketing and Social Media — digital strategy, social media engagement, influencer marketing
- Advertising and Creative Services — campaign development, creative production
- Research and Insights — proprietary research feeding Breakout Brand strategy
- Results Measurement — led by EVP Sandra Fine Ericson, APR
The firm operates with a distinctive client service model: 10% of monthly hours are dedicated to courtesy hours beyond billable time, every account is owner-led, and a permanent senior leader is assigned for continuity.
Leadership
Christine Barney, APR, serves as CEO and Managing Partner. Lisa K. Ross is President, Partner, and Chief Growth Officer, leading the Hospitality Practice. Tina Elmowitz is Chief People Officer and Partner. The partner team includes Sandra Fine Ericson (EVP Director of Results Measurement), Laura Guitar (EVP Crisis Communications), Jeanine Karp (VP), Josh Merkin (VP), Maite Velez-Couto (SVP), and additional VPs across HR, Operations, and Account Services.
Awards and Recognition
rbb Communications has been named national Agency of the Year six times and recognized on Forbes' Top PR Firms list. The firm has won the PRSA Best of the Best Silver Anvil (2023) and is a repeat winner on Best Places to Work rankings including the Sun Sentinel and South Florida Business Journal lists. CEO Christine Barney has been honored with the 2016 Bill Adams PRSA Lifetime Achievement Award, South Florida Business Journal Ultimate CEO and Power Leaders List recognition, Minority Business Awards CEO of the Year, and multiple Florida 500 listings by Florida Trend.
Notable Clients and Case Studies
rbb's client roster spans hospitality, travel, healthcare, consumer brands, financial services, real estate, and reputation management. Notable clients past and present include Allegro Resorts, Cleveland Clinic, Hilton, Virgin Voyages, Zumba Fitness, Mrs. Butterworth's Syrup, Thomson Reuters, Masterfoods/M&Ms, Florida Power & Light Company, DHL Express, Bank of America, and Disney on Ice.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered rbb Communications continuously since 2009. For the full archive of news, leadership coverage, and Christine Barney's South Florida business leadership, see everything-pr.com/tag/rbb-communications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns rbb Communications?
rbb is independent, woman-led, and operates with an employee-driven philosophy. CEO and Managing Partner Christine Barney leads alongside President and Co-Founder Lisa Ross and the broader partner team.
Who is the CEO of rbb Communications?
Christine Barney, APR, has served as CEO and Managing Partner since 2001. She previously served as Florida Managing Partner at Weber Shandwick.
Where is rbb Communications headquartered?
355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33134. The firm has additional offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.
When was rbb Communications founded?
1975 in Miami.
What is the "Breakout Brand" strategy?
A proprietary, trademarked framework developed by CEO Christine Barney that helps clients separate from competitors and accelerate growth. The firm has published a white paper detailing the methodology and applies it across consumer, hospitality, healthcare, and B2B engagements.
What clients does rbb work with?
Hospitality, travel, healthcare, consumer brands, financial services, and reputation clients including Allegro Resorts, Cleveland Clinic, Hilton, Virgin Voyages, Zumba Fitness, Mrs. Butterworth's, Thomson Reuters, Masterfoods/M&Ms, Florida Power & Light, DHL Express, Bank of America, and Disney on Ice.
Key Takeaways
- rbb Communications is an independent, woman-led integrated communications agency founded 1975 and headquartered in Miami.
- Six-time national Agency of the Year and Forbes Top PR Firm.
- Christine Barney, APR, has led as CEO and Managing Partner since 2001 — appointed first two-term chair of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council in November 2025.
- Trademarked "Breakout Brand" strategy is the firm's proprietary framework for client growth.
- Member of PROI Worldwide, the largest independent agency network — providing access to 100+ cities in 50 countries.
- Operates with distinctive 10% courtesy hours model, owner-led accounts, and permanent senior leader assignment.
- Notable clients include Hilton, Cleveland Clinic, Virgin Voyages, Bank of America, Thomson Reuters, and Disney on Ice.
