Northbound
Services

Senior communications leadership, shaped to your stage.

Every engagement begins with a clear understanding of where your reputation stands today, where it needs to go, and what's standing in the way.

Engagement model

A clear shape from day one.

Most fractional engagements run on a three-month minimum, renewing in quarters. You'll know exactly what's happening, when, and why — without the meeting overhead of a full agency relationship.
First 30 days

Listen & align

Stakeholder interviews, audit of existing materials, audience and reputation baseline. We agree on a small set of priorities and the rhythm we'll work in.

Days 30–60

Build & ship

Messaging architecture and corporate narrative locked. First wave of media, executive, or internal activation in market. Clear KPIs in place.

Days 60–90+

Operate & evolve

Steady cadence: weekly working sessions, monthly executive readouts, quarterly strategic reviews. Always-on issues counsel between scheduled time.

01

Fractional Head of Communications

Senior, embedded leadership without the full-time hire.

  • ◆Strategic counsel and decision support for the C-suite
  • ◆Ownership of corporate narrative, messaging, and positioning
  • ◆Media relations strategy and senior reporter engagement
  • ◆Issues management and crisis preparedness
  • ◆Coordination with agencies and internal marketing/IR/people teams
For companies pre-IPO through mid-cap who need senior comms judgement on a fractional basis.
02

Strategy Sprint

A defined engagement around a milestone or repositioning moment.

  • ◆Clear scope, timeline, and deliverables
  • ◆Messaging architecture and corporate narrative refinement
  • ◆Launch, data readout, or reorganization comms plans
  • ◆Spokesperson preparation and media training
For teams approaching a launch, data readout, funding event, or rebrand.
03

Executive Visibility & Thought Leadership

C-suite platforms aligned to brand, business, and policy priorities.

  • ◆Bylines, op-eds, and ghostwritten thought leadership
  • ◆LinkedIn voice development and editorial calendars
  • ◆Award and speaking strategy (HLTH, ViVE, SXSW, Milken)
  • ◆Sustained reporter and analyst relationship building
For founders and C-suite leaders who need a steady, credible public presence.
04

Issues & Crisis Communications

A prepared playbook before — and a steady hand during — the moment.

  • ◆Crisis simulation and preparedness assessment
  • ◆Rapid-response protocol design
  • ◆Real-time executive counsel and statement drafting
  • ◆Internal change management communications
For organizations facing reorgs, regulatory shifts, or reputation-defining events.
05

White-Label Support for Agencies

Senior bench strength when your team needs it most.

  • ◆Maternity, paternity, or medical leave coverage for senior counsel
  • ◆Ramp-up support when a new client lands ahead of hiring
  • ◆Interim leadership between SVP/VP transitions
  • ◆New-business pitch support and strategic narrative development
  • ◆Fully white-labeled — your brand, your client relationship
For agency principals who need senior, discreet bench strength on demand.
Discuss an engagement