Ryan Hughes is a senior public relations and strategic communications professional with over 15 years of experience leading account teams in delivering media relations, corporate and executive communications, crisis and litigation communications, issue advocacy, public affairs, and reputation management programs.
Hughes currently serves as Partner & Head of U.S. Operations at Maltin PR, an international communications firm specializing in corporate and private-client reputation management, legal and litigation PR, and crisis communications. Since joining the firm, he has led its expansion into the United States, establishing its American market presence while advising law firms, corporations, executives, and high-profile individuals on complex litigation, crisis, and reputational matters.
Known for quickly mastering complex industries and issues, Hughes leads the development and execution of actionable communications strategies that advance clients’ strategic objectives.
In leadership roles at prominent public relations and strategic communications firms, Hughes has led account teams in developing and executing strategic communications for clients across a diverse range of industries and issue areas, including public affairs, policy and political campaigns, philanthropy, entertainment and media, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, national security and defense, blockchain and cryptocurrency, financial services and fintech, technology and artificial intelligence, manufacturing, corporate and professional services, nonprofits, and education.
His approach to strategic communications has been shaped in large part by a strong foundation in public affairs and political communications, including high-level work in Washington, D.C., on behalf of private- and public-sector clients, issue advocacy organizations, and political campaigns. That work included playing a pivotal role handling conservative media relations for Governor Scott Walker’s presidential campaign and later managing key aspects of the surrogate booking operation for Governor John Kasich’s presidential campaign. Hughes previously served in state government as External Relations Coordinator for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and as Assistant to Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford.
Litigation & Crisis Communications
Protecting and defending an individual, company, or organization facing a public challenge to their 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
Building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with journalists to reach audiences through news and feature coverage. This includes both proactively generating publicity for an organization and responding to inquiries from journalists.
Reporter Education
Media Training
Media Monitoring
Earned Media Generation
Television and Radio Booking
Editorial Development
Media Briefings
Strategic Communications
Communicating the right message, through the right channels, to the right people, at the right time, and using feedback from that process to remain focused on the organization’s strategic objectives.
Strategic Planning
Brand Building
Message Amplification
Stakeholder Mapping
Third-Party Outreach
Compelling Content
Event Planning
Executive Visibility
Thought Leadership