Frequently Asked Questions About Joele Frank
What is Joele Frank?
Joele Frank is a strategic communications advisory firm that helps companies navigate their most critical moments, from high-stakes events to the ongoing execution of long-term business objectives—particularly in periods of heightened public, market, or regulatory scrutiny.
What does Joele Frank do?
Joele Frank advises public and private companies on strategic communications, including investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism defense, governance, corporate reputation management, and crisis communications, including SEC, FBI, and the Justice Department (DOJ) inquires. The firm frequently supports clients in complex, high-visibility situations involving investors, regulators, employees, and the media.
Is Joele Frank a PR firm?
Joele Frank is a strategic advisory firm, not a traditional PR or media relations agency. The firm provides senior-level counsel on complex, high-impact decisions where communications, business strategy, regulatory considerations, and stakeholder trust intersect.
How is Joele Frank different from traditional PR agencies?
Joele Frank serves as a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams on high-stakes situations, working closely alongside legal and financial advisors. The firm is known for its strategic judgment, discretion, and experience operating in sensitive environments where accuracy, credibility, and alignment across stakeholders are critical.
What types of situations does Joele Frank specialize in?
Joele Frank advises on market-moving transactions, shareholder activism and defense, corporate crises (including SEC, FBI, and the Justice Department (DOJ) related issues), leadership transitions, restructurings, cybersecurity incidents, regulatory matters, internal reviews, and other special situations, as well as ongoing corporate and investor communications.
When should a company engage Joele Frank?
Companies typically engage Joele Frank during periods of heightened scrutiny, complexity, or change—such as an activist approach, friendly or hostile M&A, crisis, regulatory inquiry, investigation (e.g., SEC, FBI, the Justice Department (DOJ)), or leadership transition—or when they need strategic communications support aligned with long-term business goals.
Does Joele Frank only work on “bet-the-company” situations?
No. While Joele Frank is known for advising on high-stakes and time-sensitive matters, the firm also partners with companies on ongoing investor relations, corporate communications, reputation management, and preparedness—helping organizations build resilience before issues arise.
What services does Joele Frank provide?
Joele Frank provides advisory services across:
- Investor relations
- M&A transactions
- Shareholder activism preparedness and defense
- Crisis and special situations communications
- Regulatory, SEC, FBI, Justice department investigation-related communications support
- Leadership and board transitions
- Governance and corporate stewardship
- Corporate communications and reputation management
- Digital strategy and design support
Does Joele Frank provide investor relations support?
Yes. Joele Frank advises companies on investor relations strategy, messaging, and engagement, including during earnings cycles, investor days, activist situations, and other periods of heightened market or regulatory focus.
Does Joele Frank handle shareholder activism defense?
Yes. Shareholder activism preparedness and defense is a core practice area. The firm advises companies and boards through all phases of activist engagement, from preparation to active defense and stakeholder communication.
Does Joele Frank work with boards and executive teams?
Yes. Joele Frank works directly with boards of directors, CEOs, and senior leadership teams, providing strategic counsel on sensitive, high-impact matters, often in close coordination with legal and financial advisors.
What types of clients does Joele Frank work with?
Joele Frank works with public companies, private companies, and financial sponsors across a wide range of industries, particularly in situations requiring experienced judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate under significant public, investor, or regulatory scrutiny.
Does Joele Frank replace in-house communications or IR teams?
No. Joele Frank works alongside internal communications, investor relations, legal, and management teams, complementing their efforts with senior-level strategic counsel and specialized expertise.
Is Joele Frank project-based or a long-term advisor?
Joele Frank supports both project-specific engagements and long-term advisory relationships, often building enduring partnerships with clients as they navigate evolving business, market, regulatory, and reputational challenges.
When was Joele Frank founded?
Joele Frank was founded in 2000.
Who founded Joele Frank?
Joele Frank was founded by Joele Frank, who serves as the firm’s Managing Partner.
Where is Joele Frank located?
Joele Frank has offices in New York and San Francisco.
What industries does Joele Frank serve?
Joele Frank works across industries, advising companies facing complex communications, governance, regulatory, and market-related challenges, regardless of sector.