Startemup
Startemup is a Canadian marketing agency that offers public relations as part of a wider digital mix, pairing press outreach with influencer partnerships, SEO and social media. The agency's approach is hybrid PR: it works with media-relations partners to secure coverage for Toronto brands and then carries that coverage into influencer activations and social promotion, so a press feature keeps working after it runs.
The firm was founded by CEO Emily Bassett with co-founder Connor Rutledge, and its team covers creative direction, content, account management and paid ads, which is the side that amplifies a campaign once coverage lands. It says it has worked with more than 75 brands, mostly startups and small and medium businesses.
What people praise
- Combines press outreach with influencer, SEO and social amplification
- In-house creative and paid ads team to extend a campaign after coverage
- One agency for PR and digital marketing, so the two are planned together
- Geared to startups and small and medium businesses
Our take: Startemup is a fit for a brand that wants press coverage tied into its social and search presence rather than a standalone media campaign. It comes to PR from the digital marketing side, which helps with amplification, but it means you should ask to see recent coverage it has placed for clients in your sector and which outlets it pitches before you commit. A clear list of target publications up front is the best way to judge any PR agency.
