# Avōq

> Avōq is a privately held U.S. strategic communications, government relations and advertising firm created from the 2023 combination of Subject Matter and Kivvit. From Washington, D.C. and offices across the country, its 200-plus employees help corporations, nonprofits, associations and coalitions manage reputation, influence policy and run integrated campaigns using research, creative, paid media, lobbying and AI-enabled intelligence.

- **Founded:** 2023
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Founders:** Steve Elmendorf (Co-founder and Managing Partner)
- **Products:** Strategic Communications, Government Relations, Advertising and Creative, Avoq IQ, GEOmetriq
- **Notable:** Formed a 200-plus-person national agency from the May 2023 merger of Subject Matter and Kivvit, with the combined business approaching $100 million in annual revenue., The Chicago Department of Public Health mpox campaign delivered a 10% click-through rate on Grindr, twice the app's benchmark., The 'Built on Semiconductors' campaign won PRWeek's 2023 Best in Public Affairs award and accompanied the years-long push that culminated in the $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act investment.

## Products & services

- **Strategic Communications** — Reputation strategy, executive positioning, crisis response, public affairs, media strategy, stakeholder engagement and audience intelligence.
- **Government Relations** — Bipartisan lobbying, policy and regulatory analysis, coalition building, direct advocacy and policymaker engagement.
- **Advertising and Creative** — Campaign strategy, branding, design, content, paid media, digital tools and in-house production across channels.
- **Avoq IQ** — A real-time AI-powered dashboard for brand sentiment, news, social conversation and issue monitoring.
- **GEOmetriq** — An AI visibility and reputation product that audits how generative engines describe an organization and its issues.
- **Policy Insiders' Media Habits** — Annual proprietary research on how Washington policy insiders consume news, platforms and opinion, with custom briefings for organizations.

## Achievements

- Formed a 200-plus-person national agency from the May 2023 merger of Subject Matter and Kivvit, with the combined business approaching $100 million in annual revenue.
- The Chicago Department of Public Health mpox campaign delivered a 10% click-through rate on Grindr, twice the app's benchmark.
- The 'Built on Semiconductors' campaign won PRWeek's 2023 Best in Public Affairs award and accompanied the years-long push that culminated in the $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act investment.
- The PBS campaign earned Gold ADDYs, a Communicator Award for cause marketing and a PRovoke SABRE Award for educational and cultural institutions.
- Booz Allen's 'It's In Our Code' campaign earned Communicator Awards and a PRovoke SABRE Award for institutional image.
- Acquired SRA Communications in 2024, extending the firm's public-affairs presence into Pennsylvania.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Added senior creative leaders Jillian Goger and Owen Lang while highlighting national awards for PBS and Booz Allen campaigns.
- **2026-03** — Released its 2026 Policy Insiders' Media Habits report, finding that 96% of surveyed D.C. policy insiders use AI personally or professionally.
- **2026-02** — Kelli Parsons became CEO and joined the board after leading Hill & Knowlton globally and serving in Fortune 50 communications roles.
- **2025-12** — Named new practice leaders following a strategic reorganization.
- **2025-07** — Promoted Andrea Hagelgans, Maggie Bergin and Patrick Kerley to partner.

## Links

- Website: https://teamavoq.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamavoq
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/teamavoq/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamavoq/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamavoq

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/av-q
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-24