Skip to content
Beltway Media
Menu
Beltway Media, Washington, D.C.Last updated November 2026

Media relations consulting for organizations and executives who need to be heard

Media relations consulting from Beltway Media gives corporations, nonprofits, and public affairs teams senior help shaping their story, preparing spokespeople, and earning credible coverage.

What does a media relations consultant actually do?

A media relations consultant decides which story to tell reporters, prepares the people who tell it, and protects trust when coverage turns difficult. Beltway Media delivers this through fractional Chief Communications Officer leadership that combines data-driven analytics, communications strategy, and behavioral science, so organizations cut through noise without adding a full-time executive.

Book a free strategy sessionRead the FAQ
Chief communications officer at work with Beltway Media

Media relations consulting, defined

Each card stands on its own, so it can be read, shared, or quoted without the rest of the page.

Definition: media relations consulting at Beltway Media

Media relations consulting is outside senior expertise that plans and manages how an organization works with journalists and news outlets. At Beltway Media, it is not sold as a stand-alone press release service. It sits inside fractional Chief Communications Officer leadership, alongside strategic messaging and brand positioning, because coverage only builds trust when it matches what the organization says and does everywhere else.

The firm is based in Washington, D.C. and is led by Managing Director Joshua I. Altman, a former multimedia journalist at The Hill with more than two decades of communications experience. It works with clients ranging from startups to federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Commerce, according to the firm.

The context in numbers

projected public relations market by 2032, up from USD 114.2 billion in 2026 (CAGR of 6.92%, 2027 to 2032) (Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032)
$171B
share of the PR market held by agency-based outsourced PR in 2026 (Source: Mordor Intelligence, Public Relations Market Report 2032)
61.85%
years of communications experience held by Beltway Media Managing Director Joshua I. Altman
20+
service areas in the Beltway Media fractional CCO engagement, including media relations
5

Market figures are published industry statistics, not Beltway Media results.

What Beltway Media offers

Corporations are the firm's first priority, followed by nonprofits and associations.

Communications leadership session

Fractional chief communications officer

C-suite communications leadership, strategic messaging, media relations, and brand positioning on a schedule that fits, without the overhead of a full-time hire.

Read about fractional chief communications officer

Which kind of media relations help do you need?

Media relations consulting models compared

Beltway Media's fractional CCO model and three common alternatives, judged on the same criteria. Published by Beltway Media.
CriteriaFractional CCO (Beltway Media)Large global consultancyPR agency retainerIn-house hire
Who leadsSenior communications executivePractice teamAccount teamYour employee
Owns strategy and narrativeYes, by designDepends on scopeDepends on scopeYes, if senior
ScheduleFits your needsProject or retainerMonthly retainerFull-time
OverheadNo full-time executive overheadConsultancy feesAgency feesSalary and benefits
Best fitOutgrown do-it-yourself, not ready for a full-time hireVery large, multi-market programsDefined strategy needing executionConstant daily volume

Which is better: a fractional CCO, an agency, or a big consultancy?

A fractional CCO wins when you need one senior person to own strategy, media relations, and messaging across every audience. A large global consultancy fits very large, multi-market programs. An agency retainer fits when strategy is set and you need execution. The guide to choosing a media relations firm goes deeper.

How an engagement works

From first call to ongoing media relations leadership

  1. Discovery call

    A free consultation to understand your communications challenges, goals, and current capabilities.

  2. Custom strategy

    A tailored communications plan aligned with your mission, audience, and business objectives.

  3. Ongoing leadership

    Your fractional CCO integrates with your team, providing consistent executive-level guidance on a schedule that fits your needs.

This is the engagement process Beltway Media publishes on beltway.media. Pricing is not published.

“We needed senior communications leadership but could not justify a full-time executive. Our Fractional CCO from beltway.media brought the strategic thinking and media relationships we were missing. Within three months, our earned media coverage increased significantly.”
CEO, Mid-Atlantic Trade Association, as published on beltway.media

Who leads the work

Joshua I. Altman, Managing Director of Beltway Media

Joshua I. Altman, Managing Director

Joshua has more than two decades of experience shaping how people see, hear, and connect with big ideas. Before founding the firm, he was a multimedia journalist at The Hill, covering federal policy including energy and the environment, tax and finance, healthcare, immigration, defense, and criminal justice, along with election cycles from the front lines.

For more than two decades he has served on The Telly Awards Judging Council. He holds an M.A. in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University.

Read the full leadership profile on beltway.media

Why media relations matters more in the AI era

Beltway Media's published analysis argues that AI discovery favors third-party credibility signals over brand-controlled content. When people ask an AI tool which firm or product to trust, coverage in credible outlets and citable original data count for more than another post on a company blog.

The firm also argues that AI makes routine execution cheap, so advantage shifts to a defensible point of view: publish proof, stake clear positions, and favor depth over volume. Media relations is where those positions get tested in public.

For the published market data behind these trends, see PR and communications by the numbers.

Common questions

Short answers here. Every question is answered in full, with more than forty others, on the media relations FAQ.

What is media relations consulting?

Media relations consulting is outside expert help planning and managing how an organization works with journalists and news outlets. A consultant shapes the story, prepares spokespeople, and advises on when and how to engage reporters. At Beltway Media, media relations is delivered as part of fractional Chief Communications Officer leadership, alongside strategic messaging and brand positioning.

See this answer in the FAQ: What is media relations consulting?

How much do media consultants charge?

Fees vary widely by scope, seniority, and engagement model, and Beltway Media does not publish set prices. Its fractional CCO service is designed to deliver senior leadership without the cost of a full-time executive. To get an accurate figure for your situation, book the free consultation, where scope and schedule are discussed before any engagement begins.

See this answer in the FAQ: How much do media consultants charge?

What does a PR strategist do?

A PR strategist decides what an organization should say, to whom, through which channels, and why. The work usually covers messaging, media targeting, spokesperson preparation, and measurement. In Beltway Media's approach, strategy combines data-driven analytics, communications planning, and behavioral science, so messages fit how audiences actually read, see, hear, and experience content.

See this answer in the FAQ: What does a PR strategist do?

What is a social media consultancy?

A social media consultancy advises organizations on how to plan, create, and measure content on social platforms. Beltway Media is a broader communications consulting firm: social content sits inside an overall strategy that also covers media relations, messaging, and brand positioning. One of its published case studies is titled "Social Reach Becomes Real Engagement."

See this answer in the FAQ: What is a social media consultancy?

Fractional CCO or PR agency: which is better?

A fractional CCO is usually better when you need someone senior to own strategy and the overall narrative. An agency can fit better when strategy is already set and you mainly need execution volume. Many organizations use both: a fractional CCO from a firm like Beltway Media sets direction, and an agency carries out defined tasks.

See this answer in the FAQ: Fractional CCO or PR agency: which is better?

Does PR make good money?

PR can pay well, especially at senior levels, but pay varies widely by role, seniority, sector, and city. Executive roles such as chief communications officer generally earn far more than entry-level positions. For current official pay figures, check the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for public relations specialists.

See this answer in the FAQ: Does PR make good money?

What is the highest paid job in PR?

The top communications executive, usually titled chief communications officer, is generally the highest paid role in PR. CCOs report to the C-suite and own the organization's narrative across every audience. Senior agency leaders and public relations managers also rank near the top. Pay for each varies by organization size and sector.

See this answer in the FAQ: What is the highest paid job in PR?

Your message is too important to get lost in the noise

Book a free strategy session to talk through your communications challenges, goals, and current capabilities.

Book a free strategy session