Otter PR, one of the top public relations firms in the country, has scored another win with its ranking on the 2025 Inc. Regionals Southeast List. An extension of the Inc. 5000 brand, the Inc. Regionals recognizes the fastest-growing companies over a 2-year period. Otter PR is being recognized as one of the fastest-growing Tampa PR firms based on its rise through the public relations ranks since 2021, through 2022, and into 2023.
The Inc. Regionals look at the data and analytics of thousands of privately held companies across a variety of industries to determine which ones have made a difference in their industry in terms of growth. The prestigious honor given to Otter PR places it among an elite group of 951 companies nationwide that have shown exponential growth between 2021 and 2023 — a challenging time for any company or brand on the heels of an unprecedented pandemic.
CEO Scott Bartnick is thrilled to see the hard work of his team recognized as one of the best agencies in the Southeast. “We are honored to be included in this year’s Inc. Regionals list,” he said. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our entire team. We are proud to contribute to the economic growth of our region and the PR industry.”
Humble beginnings for a top public relations firm
Otter PR was started by Bartnick with his co-founder, Jay Feldman, and a handful of initial employees in late 2019. Just a few months later, the global COVID-19 pandemic was in full effect, which made growing the company all the more challenging for the partners.
From these humble beginnings, a full-service PR agency was built, now boasting over 40 employees, including highly skilled publicists, PR managers, writers, journalists, and account strategists. Otter PR’s employees bring over 300 combined years of public relations and media experience to the table, setting them apart from other top PR firms.
Otter PR’s seasoned publicists specialize in telling stories that genuinely help brands manage their public affairs, stand out with new audiences, develop exemplary PR campaigns, and launch innovative new products and services. The team has garnered widespread coverage in campaigns, global communications, and PR strategies for its clients, including media spotlights in high-profile outlets such as Politico, Fox News, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Entrepreneur.
Top public relations firm with industry passion
Since its inception, Otter PR has grown out of an entrepreneurial passion and a drive to provide results for and meet the needs and goals of clients and brands across a broad range of global industries. From social media influencers and thought leadership brands to niche technology companies, politicians, hospitality organizations, non-profits, and leading innovators in healthcare, the firm has excelled in meeting and surpassing client’s highest expectations.
In addition to accolades on the Inc. Regionals list, Otter PR is a member of the Two Comma Club and has been highlighted as the fastest-growing PR agency in the US by O’Dwyers in 2022. Its commitment to excellence also helped designate the PR firm as a 2024 Gold Stevie Winner, name it one of the best PR companies on UpCity, and claim a spot on Clutch’s “Top Public Relations Firms” list.
The company currently offers full-service PR, including media relations services, reputation management, crisis communications, thought leadership guidance, and media training — all of the full-service marketing and global brand PR management other top agencies compete for. Along with offering strategies for content creation, earned media wins, B2B relations, and digital communications, Otter PR boasts an internal digital marketing team to help clients with SEO optimization, social media management, and media buying.
The firm’s experienced team has been praised for its ability to listen attentively to clients’ PR goals, help them build creative and strategic plans for media coverage, and deftly navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with delivering positive, measurable results.
Contributing to job growth and PR needs as a top public relations firm
According to Inc., the companies honored in its Southeast Regionals have achieved a median growth rate of approximately 114 percent between 2021 and 2023, collectively contributing 11,493 jobs to the US economy. Otter PR is ecstatic to be part of this dynamic group of growing companies and carry that growth mindset into 2025 and beyond.
Standing apart from the competition, the team at Otter PR are PR pros and a full-service communications agency that offers powerful media relationships and a personalized, boutique service that can often be found lacking in other public relations agencies. Bartnick and Feldman have set a new standard in public relations as PR professionals and an agency that provides clients with authentic results with experience-based global reach.
By being named to the Inc. Regionals List for the Southeast, Otter PR proves that hard work, tenacity, and experience go a long way. Bartnick, Feldman, and their team of experts are driven to carry their growth as a global pr agency forward and continue to get amazing results for their clientele, helping redefine communications, brand visibility, and PR trends on a global scale.
