We’re proud to share that The Key has been named a 2026 Inc. Power Partner for the third consecutive year. ✨
Inc. built the Power Partner list around the B2B companies that help founders through the hardest parts of building a business. That’s where we do our best work. Funding announcements, product launches, new categories, executive visibility, a story that needs a sharper angle to break through: these are the moments where communications shapes valuation, pipeline, and reputation. So this recognition belongs to the founders and comms leaders who hand us the keys to their stories, and to the Keymates who deliver for them every day.
“Great PR starts with a great partnership. Our clients trust us with their biggest moments, and in return they get real candor, sharp counsel, and a team that treats their business like our own. Clients remember how a partner showed up when it mattered most, and being recognized for that three years running means a great deal to all of us.” — Martha Shaughnessy, Founder & CEO, The Key
Why Clients Choose The Key
Strong PR programs are built on what happens between the headline moments: the fast pivot when a reporter’s deadline moves up, the candid call when a strategy needs rethinking, the early flag that turns a potential problem into a non-event. The lulls between major news announcements that require a creative and strategic partner to find the ingredients required to make media magic. That steady, reliable presence keeps our client relationships growing year after year.
Our clients work directly with the senior leaders shaping their strategy, and those leaders stay close to the details. That means faster decisions, tighter messaging, and less time re-explaining the business. And we’re fostering sharp talent for agency, policy and reporting backgrounds to ensure we’ve got the best future leaders built for the evolving comms landscape. More energy goes to the outcomes that matter: coverage in the outlets your buyers and investors read, a clear market position, compelling narrative, and spokespeople ready for any interview.
How We Work
Our Key Agreements guide how we work with each other and with every client. A few show up in every engagement:
- We Stay Curious. We dig into your business, market, and competitors to find the story angles others miss.
- We Go Beyond. We pull out all the stops when a news moment counts, so every launch, raise, and milestone earns its full impact.
- We Play a Team Sport. We plug into your in-house team and partners, aligning on goals, timing, and assets so nothing slows the news down.
- We Speak Truth. We give candid counsel, including when the news is hard to hear, because clear-eyed advice protects your reputation and your results.
Thank you to our clients for trusting us with your stories, your reputations, and your growth, and to our team for bringing strategy, creativity, and care to every engagement.
Planning a launch, a raise, or a new chapter for your company? If you want a communications partner who will sit at the table with you and invest in your results, we’d love to talk. Reach us at yo@thekeypr.com. 🔑
About The Key
The Key is a strategic communications agency that specializes in translating complex technology and infrastructure into high-impact narratives. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Francisco, the firm pairs senior leadership involvement with a lean, “low-bullshit” model to deliver strategic PR planning, media relations, and brand-building for startups and public companies. Learn more at thekeypr.com.
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