Ryan Patrick Hughes

Senior Public Relations Professional with 12+ Years Experience Focusing on Strategic & Crisis Communications, Media Relations and Public Affairs

Ryan Hughes is a senior-level public relations professional with over 12 years of experience delivering strategic communications solutions by leading account teams in providing media relations, corporate communications, crisis & litigation communications, issue advocacy campaigns, public affairs and reputation management programs. Throughout his career, agency leadership and the clients he’s worked with have expressed their appreciation for his ability to quickly familiarize himself with the intricacies of their unique industries and lead in the development and execution of successful communications campaigns that further their strategic objectives.

While holding positions of leadership at esteemed public relations and strategic communications firms, Hughes has been responsible for managing account teams in driving strategic communications for clients from a diverse cross-section of industries, including but not limited to those in public affairs, politics, philanthropy, entertainment and media, policy, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, national security and defense, blockchain and cryptocurrency, financial services, technology and artificial intelligence, corporate and professional services, nonprofits, and education.

In Washington, Hughes gained extensive public affairs experience during his time with the bipartisan public affairs firm ROKK Solutions, where he managed high level strategic communications and media relations campaigns for clients in both the private and public sectors with a particular focus on how to leverage their message with policymakers. During his time at Shirley & Banister Public Affairs, he oversaw public relations and strategic communications for multiple high-profile politically right-of-center clients, including public figures, issue advocacy organizations and political campaigns. In this capacity, he served in a pivotal role handling conservative media relations for Governor Scott Walker's campaign for President and later managed key aspects of the surrogate booking operation for Governor John Kasich's campaign for President.

Hughes previously served in state government as External Relations Coordinator for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker (R-WI) and as Assistant to Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford (R-IL).

Litigation & Crisis Communications

Protecting and defending an individual, company or organization facing a public challenge to its reputation. These challenges can involve legal, ethical or financial standing.

  • Crisis Mitigation

  • Rapid Response

  • Social Listening

  • Reputation Management

  • Messaging Development

  • Organizational and Opposition Research

  • Content Creation

  • Media Relations

  • Litigation Communications

Media Relations

Mutually beneficial associations with journalists as a condition for reaching audiences with messages of news or features of interest (publicity). This includes includes both seeking publicity for an organization and responding to queries from journalists about the organization.

  • Reporter Education

  • Media Training

  • Media Monitoring

  • Earned Media Generation

  • Television and Radio Booking

  • Editorial Development

  • Press Meets

Strategic Communications

Communicating the best message, through the correct channels, to the right people, at the right time and using feedback from this process to stay focused on the organization's strategic objectives.

  • Strategic Planning

  • Brand Building

  • Message Amplification

  • Shareholder Mapping

  • Third-Party Outreach

  • Compelling Content

  • Event Planning

  • Executive Visibility

  • Thought Leadership