Celebrating Narrative Strategies' Third Anniversary
For three years, Narrative Strategies has worked with clients across industries to solve today’s most demanding public affairs challenges with an integrated communications approach. As we celebrate our anniversary, we’re looking back on our growth and the milestones we’ve reached, while looking forward to the future and all the exciting opportunities that are to come.
Looking Back and Embracing the Future
September in Washington means saying goodbye to the summer season, preparing for the sprint towards the midterm elections, and for Narrative Strategies specifically, taking stock of another year in business as we celebrate what is now our third anniversary.
This anniversary is a rather special inflection point for all of us as we look back on the hard work and personal investment given to creating an operation, culture, and ethos that distinguishes Narrative and provides the foundation for further success.
Since our founding in 2019, Narrative has been a firm that places a premium on entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and embracing the possible. That forward-leaning, never-be-satisfied mindset has benefited our much-valued clients and has been the basis for us earning their confidence and forging long-term partnerships. Subsequently, Narrative counts 50 clients across several industries and sectors as part of our roster.
Day in and day out, our team is put to the test. It’s why we have grown from seven initial employees to well over 30 – Narrative is a firm that thrives in the toughest situations and is home to professionals who relish the most difficult challenges. We are incredibly fortunate to have a team that actively seeks work that requires an all-in effort, embraces the demands, and enjoys the crucible of finding the best way forward (while keeping a smile and extended hand out to help each other).
"The team at Narrative makes it easy to bring my A-game to work every day and even the most challenging situations navigable. Narrative understands that investing in and caring for its people is the bedrock of being able to deliver superior service to clients."
"The team anticipates and adapts to changes in the landscape while applying both a strategic and creative lens to our work. Initiatives where we can integrate multiple strategies and manage a comprehensive campaign effort are the ones we love and thrive at."
As a result, over the last three years, we have established ourselves as experts who continue to learn and improve across many vital functions – strategic communications, public affairs, media relations, external relations, issue advocacy, and much more. In the same breath, we wholly recognize that the communications landscape is constantly evolving, and the changing contours will require new ideas, tools, and approaches to navigate it successfully.
Narrative is well positioned for these new challenges, as the firm’s foundation stresses a customized, integrated, and creative approach to our work. Communications in today’s global, 24/7, and politically charged environment requires a dexterity where brand, issues, and reputation management is shaped collectively. And that is precisely why our campaign management focus and current investments will make Narrative’s future as bright as our past.
This year marked our establishment of a new creative services division, where design, videography, branding, and marketing strategies will further be integrated into our work. Coupled with new paid media, content promotion, and data analysis capabilities, Narrative can better serve our clients in a landscape where the lines between traditional communications and marketing are blurred.
"We do a great job identifying where we can grow next and recruiting the right talent. We pride ourselves on making sure we don’t all think alike or have the same skill sets—our diversity of beliefs, skill sets, and past experiences ensure lively discussions as teams and fresh ideas for clients."
Furthermore, we intend to grow our best-in-class and highly collaborative team while incorporating diverse backgrounds and skill sets to ensure the best idea wins the day. That expanded team will continue to challenge themselves and each other with the benefit of a new downtown Washington, DC headquarters office. A space custom-built to encourage collaboration, connect our remote colleagues, and ignite creativity.
So, as we celebrate our third anniversary as well as the immense efforts our founding partners and the entire team have allowed us to get to this point, we are equally excited about the years ahead. Thank you to our clients and extended networks of friends and family who have supported us and believe like we do – our best work is in front of us.
From Our Team
During our three years in business, our team has expanded to include well over 30 talented individuals. We asked them why they chose to join Narrative and what sets us apart in an increasingly crowded industry.
I had no doubt that Narrative would stand out as a firm because of the people who were part of it. Jobs can come and go, but when you find a place where you admire and learn from every single person you work with, that’s worth hanging onto.
My colleagues encouraged my sense of agency and supported me as I took on more responsibility. As I have moved from intern to associate and then to manager, that support and collaborative spirit has remained constant.
It was clear from my early conversations with Narrative that they not only worked with some of the most reputable and recognizable companies in the world, but they also exceeded very high expectations in doing so. There was no doubt in my mind that the team assembled at Narrative had the necessary experience and drive that would allow the firm to excel in demanding, fast-paced environments.
I think it’s pretty unique to have partners who are as engaged as those at Narrative. When questions come up, professional advice is needed, or life just throws you a curve ball, you can count on multiple partners reaching out to offer solutions, guidance, or support. These days, that level of engagement feels rare and very special.
Every single member of the team is an intentional hire who brings a unique talent or skill to the table and has a trajectory for growth. The company culture is unlike any that I have ever before experienced – everyone at Narrative is valued, appreciated, supported, and bought in to the company’s mission of delivering winning results for our clients.
Narrative provides clients with a tailored, custom-fit approach that isn't typical of most communications firms today. Each team member at Narrative is extremely detail-oriented, possesses a passion for the work they do, and shares an intense drive. Because Narrative is a mid-sized firm, we’re able to collaborate across accounts in a team-wide effort. That means every strategy or campaign we’re tasked with creating considers various perspectives.
When I met each of the partners, I realized there was so much I could learn from each one of them, while my skill set could be useful to them as they scaled. It’s been a great match; there’s always a new challenge to overcome and the opportunity to keep growing as a communicator - and the talents and camaraderie of this team can’t be beat.
After three months as an intern, I was offered a full-time position and decided to stay at Narrative because of the team-driven atmosphere and work ethic I witnessed – it didn’t just match my own, it surpassed it. I realized quickly that this was a group of dedicated individuals who cared deeply about what they were doing day in and day out, and just as much about the people they were doing it with.
Thank you to our team, clients, and friends who have been a part of our journey!
