August Strategic Communications

Firm Overview

August is a U.S.-based strategic communications advisory firm that was founded in 2021. The firm believes that excellence in client service is achieved when individuals with specialised talent and subject matter expertise are empowered to focus on what they do best. August’s professionals recognise that now, more than ever, effective communications are essential to protecting reputation, mitigating harm, and enhancing value. The firm deploys its expertise to help clients most effectively tell their stories during their times of greatest need. August credits its strong track record of driving successful client outcomes to its focus on practice areas in which it has unparalleled experience and expertise.

August sets itself apart with a deep understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that must be considered when developing communications and media relations strategies. The firm recognises that, particularly in litigation and investigations, the most effective communications strategies are those that align with and support the legal strategy. Its professionals are experts at finding the balance between legal and reputational considerations. For decades, August’s principals have worked alongside legal counsel to advise clients on how best to convey their narrative and manage reputation in the context of complex civil and criminal investigations and litigation, government and workplace investigations, financial restructurings, and allegations of discrimination and misconduct. The August team includes former practicing attorneys from both the government and private sectors, former journalists, and other experts with backgrounds in sports and entertainment; education; philanthropy; blockchain and digital assets; cybersecurity; DE&I; and healthcare.

Crisis Management

Whatever form a crisis takes – be it an unexpected leadership change, product recall, cybersecurity incident, allegation of workplace misconduct, or other major incident – August’s professionals appreciate that reputation and value are often affected more by how organisations respond to a crisis than the crisis itself and that every crisis presents an opportunity to tell a story that underscores core values. The firm believes empathy, transparency, and speed of response without getting ahead of the facts are what lead to successful outcomes.

August partners with its clients to deliver communications strategies and carefully developed messages that help manage crises, minimise negative media attention, preserve trust and confidence in leadership, and protect and enhance reputation and brand.

August’s team includes subject matter experts who partner with individuals, public and private companies, and other organisations before, during, and after a crisis arises. This includes helping clients (i) anticipate and prepare for crises by instituting policies, procedures, and crisis plans that can be deployed when the unexpected occurs; and (ii) respond to crises that have the potential to damage reputation and impair value.

Recent client engagements include:

• A publicly traded technology company in connection with the termination of its CTO and related crisis preparedness
• An Ivy League university in connection with legal and reputational issues
• The former President of a prestigious university in connection with an investigation and subsequent resignation
• A Banking-as-a-Service provider in connection with fallout from the Silicon Valley Bank collapse and a public dispute with a former partner organisation
• An NBA player in connection with legal and reputational issues
• A global sports and entertainment company in connection with high profile legal and reputational issues for its founder and a multibillion-dollar merger
• A leading international cryptocurrency exchange on reputation management and rehabilitation in the wake of regulatory actions taken against the platform and its founder
• One of the largest privately held cannabis companies on reputational issues and a legal matter involving its founder
• A prominent global mutual fund company in connection with legal and reputational issues

Practice Areas

• Litigation and Investigations
• Crisis Management
• Financial Restructurings and Chapter 11 Cases
• Healthcare
• Blockchain, Digital Assets, and Fintech
• Positioning and Reputation Management
• Transactions
• Shareholder Activism
• Cybersecurity and Data Breaches
• Diversity, Bias, and Discrimination

Offices

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Dallas
• San Francisco