From our headquarters in sunny San Diego, it might be easy to assume that our influence is purely West Coast. But for our team at (W)right On Communications, the real story lies in how we navigate—and thrive—in media markets across the U.S. and abroad. As a communications pro who regularly works on the ground in New York City and beyond, I’ve seen firsthand how a PR company in New York City doesn’t have to have a ZIP code that starts with 100 to make a lasting impact there.
East Coast Moments that Matter
Whether it’s counseling clients in Midtown Manhattan, prepping spokespeople backstage at major media events or managing visual storytelling at diplomatic gatherings, the East Coast has been central to some of our most high-profile initiatives. One standout for me personally was a private media event at the American Museum of Natural History—one of those exclusive, insider-only gatherings that gets the attention of top-tier media outlets, driving strong interest in attending. When it comes to public relations jobs that really move the needle, driving events like these are at the top of the list. They’re fast, dynamic and require the kind of planning, media savvy and calm-under-pressure leadership our team has developed across countless campaigns.
Legal Comms and the NYC Beat
Another example is our client work related to the Payment Card Settlement, which brought us to New York for a series of in-person client meetings. Legal communications require a nuanced understanding of messaging boundaries and high-stakes timing—and it’s something best strategized and navigated face-to-face. These meetings sharpen or shift strategy as needed, build trust and ensure that every communications deliverable is aligned across legal, executive and public-facing teams.
Client partner Steven Meersman, founder director of Zenobē greets Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, in Ottawa, Canada, as Tim Boothman, global director of EV fleet, Zenobē; The Honorable Fouzia Younis, British Consul General in Toronto; and Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton, Ontario look on. The event highlighted international collaboration and the growth of clean transit solutions. Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Taking It Global from the East Coast
While the East Coast is a media capital, it’s also a launch pad for international impact. Take our recent in-person support for a high-level event at the British High Commission in Ottawa, Canada. (W)right On joined our client Zenobē, the British Prime Minister Kier Starmer, the British Consul General to Toronto and the mayor of Brampton, Ontario to debut a project to electrify more than 1,000 city buses in Toronto’s largest suburb.
From the day’s activities, Zenobē made headlines with its historic zero-emission transit announcement. Our role before the event and while onsite? In-person coaching and counsel, managing the capture of visual assets and ensuring the client’s messaging was aligned across assets and landed with maximum resonance. It was a great example of how international PR excellence depends on high-touch, high-trust relationships and a willingness to do whatever’s needed—no matter the country.
What It Takes to Thrive Across Time Zones
Truth is, today’s communications landscape doesn’t recognize regional boundaries the way it used to. Whether we’re supporting national or international clients from our California offices, leading events in NYC, or helping clients promote international cooperation in Canada’s capital city, our approach remains rooted in strategic alignment and adaptive expertise. That’s the common denominator for great public relations work across markets.
And as always, media relations remains at the core of how we drive visibility and results. Don’t miss our take on “The Enduring Value of Media Relations in Today’s PR World.”
Final Word: It's the Impact, Not the Area Code
So yes, while we may not technically be a PR company in New York City, we regularly operate as if we are—because our clients expect excellence regardless of the longitude and latitude. And we deliver.
Author Larry Smalheiser is Vice President, B2B & Tech, at (W)right On Communications. Need help refining your media strategy, developing compelling thought leadership or positioning your brand as an industry leader? We can help! Call us at (858) 886-7900 or email info@wrightoncomm.com.
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