Written by: Nicole Joseph
Recognition Follows a Breakout Year That Included the Chicago Agency’s Inc. 5000 Debut
CHICAGO, Sept. 14, 2026 — Bear Icebox Communications, a Chicago-based strategic communications and public relations agency, today announced that it has been named to the PRNEWS 2027 Agency Elite Top 120, an annual roster recognizing PR and communications firms for excellence in services, culture, client impact and innovation.
Bear Icebox will be honored alongside this year’s other recipients at the PRNEWS Platinum Awards Gala on October 6 at The Lighthouse in New York City.
“We’re grateful for the recognition Bear Icebox has received over the past several months, but the credit belongs to the talented people who have helped us get here—our team, our clients and our partners,” said Bob Spoerl, CEO of Bear Icebox Communications. “No one builds an organization alone. We’ve built Bear Icebox alongside people who believe in what we’re doing and in our strategy-first approach to communications and PR.”
The recognition caps a milestone stretch for the 10-year-old agency. In August 2026, Bear Icebox debuted on the Inc. 5000, the annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The agency ranked No. 2,509 nationally, No. 93 in Chicago, No. 208 in Advertising, Marketing and PR, and No. 102 in Illinois. Bear Icebox was also named an Inc. Power Partner for the third consecutive year in 2025, following previous recognition in 2023 and 2024.
Over the past year, Bear Icebox has expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of Carson Stoga Communications and the continued growth of its crisis communications, hospitality branding and public relations offerings. The agency was also ranked the second-fastest-growing public relations agency in the country—and No. 1 among small agencies—by O’Dwyer’s.
For the full 2027 Agency Elite Top 120 list, visit PRNEWS.