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Your Trusted Public Relations Partner in Belmont, MI
Clark Communications is a full-service public relations firm with over two decades of experience delivering strategic communications solutions. Founded on the principle that effective PR requires both creativity and precision, we serve a diverse clientele ranging from Fortune 100 companies to local nonprofits and startups. Our team, led by industry veterans Craig and Alison Clark, combines corporate, nonprofit, and agency expertise to craft tailored messaging through media relations, community engagement, and digital strategies. Craig Clark, recipient of the 2024 Excellence in Public Service Award and 2009 PR Professional of the Year, brings 30 years of experience in corporate communications, while Alison Clark contributes nearly 27 years of nonprofit sector expertise. We prioritize long-term client relationships through transparent billing practices, including a single hourly rate with no markup on expenses, and flexible engagement models such as monthly retainers or project-based work.Our proven methodology begins with a comprehensive 9-question PR planning questionnaire to align expectations, followed by execution of customized strategies documented in our PR Checklist. With a track record of increasing clients' earned media coverage by over 200% and partnerships spanning eight years with organizations like Local First Grand Rapids, we emphasize measurable outcomes and community impact. Our commitment to excellence extends beyond client work through pro-bono support for nonprofits and active leadership roles in West Michigan's business and philanthropic communities.
Services
Media Relations
Crisis Communication
Social Media Strategy
PR Planning
Community Relations
Media Training
Nonprofit PR
Corporate Communications
Highlights and features
- 30 years of combined public relations experience from award-winning professionals
- Proven 210% increase in client earned media coverage through strategic planning
- Transparent billing with single hourly rate and no expense markups
- Customized PR strategies developed through proprietary 9-question planning process
- Active community involvement demonstrated through nonprofit board leadership roles
What people say
210% increase in earned media
Quick and detailed response
Professional manner
Great relationship
Immeasurable value
Services
Media Relations
We develop targeted media strategies to secure earned media coverage across traditional and digital platforms. Our team crafts compelling press releases, pitches stories to journalists, and maintains relationships with media outlets to amplify client visibility. With proven success increasing media coverage by 210%, we focus on securing placements that align with client business objectives while maintaining message consistency.
Crisis Communication
Our crisis communication plans prepare organizations for unexpected situations through proactive strategy development. We create response protocols, conduct media training sessions, and develop holding statements to ensure consistent messaging during emergencies. Our approach emphasizes transparency and timely communication to protect organizational reputation while addressing stakeholder concerns through established crisis communication frameworks.
PR Planning
We implement a structured planning process using our proprietary 9-question PR questionnaire to establish clear objectives and metrics. This methodology ensures alignment between client expectations and our execution strategy. The resulting PR Checklist documents tactics, timelines, and budget parameters to create a comprehensive roadmap for achieving annual business goals through public relations initiatives.
Community Relations
Our community relations services focus on building meaningful connections between organizations and their local stakeholders. We develop partnership opportunities, coordinate community events, and create outreach programs that enhance brand reputation. The firm's leadership demonstrates this commitment through active involvement in organizations like Mobile GR and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, ensuring authentic local market understanding.
Social Media Strategy
We create integrated social media strategies that complement traditional PR efforts. Our approach includes content development, platform-specific messaging, and audience engagement tactics to reinforce brand identity. By aligning digital presence with overall communication goals, we help clients maintain consistent messaging across all channels while leveraging social platforms for real-time audience interaction and media monitoring.
People
Craig Clark
Owner/Senior Counselor
With 30 years of PR experience, Craig Clark leads strategic counsel at Clark Communications. A 2024 Excellence in Public Service Award recipient, he has held senior communications roles at organizations including American Red Cross and Crowe Horwath, bringing corporate and nonprofit expertise to client strategy development.
Alison Clark
Co-Owner
Alison Clark co-leads Clark Communications with nearly 27 years of nonprofit PR experience. Her background includes leadership roles at Law, Weathers & Richardson and community service as Heartside Ministry board chair. She specializes in nonprofit communications strategy and special events coordination across West Michigan.
Questions
What public relations services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive PR services including media relations, crisis communication, social media strategy, PR planning, and community relations tailored to each client's specific needs.
How do you handle crisis situations?
Our crisis communication approach includes proactive planning, media training, and real-time response protocols to protect reputation while maintaining transparent communication with stakeholders.
What billing options are available?
We offer flexible billing arrangements including monthly retainers, hourly services, and project-based pricing with transparent expense reporting and no markups.
How do you measure PR success?
We track measurable outcomes like media coverage increases, campaign engagement metrics, and alignment with client business objectives to demonstrate PR effectiveness.
Do you work with nonprofit organizations?
Yes, we have extensive nonprofit experience and currently serve or have served organizations like Local First Grand Rapids and American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids.
How do you develop PR strategies?
We use our proprietary 9-question PR planning questionnaire to establish clear objectives, followed by creating customized strategies documented in our PR Checklist framework.
