# Hager Sharp

> Hager Sharp is an independent, employee-owned Washington communications agency founded in 1973. It combines audience research, strategy, creative, media, digital, multicultural outreach and evaluation for public-health, education and social-impact clients including the CDC, FDA, National Center for Education Statistics, AARP Foundation and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Its distinctive product is not publicity alone but measurable movement in what people understand and do.

- **Founded:** 1973
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Founders:** Susan Hager (Co-founder), Marcia Sharp (Co-founder)
- **Products:** Strategic Planning, Research & Evaluation, Branding & Messaging, Creative Development, Digital Engagement
- **Notable:** The CDC Zika Domestic Readiness campaign reached more than 26 million people; exposed audiences were more likely to take preventive action., AARP Foundation awareness and familiarity increased 10% during the first three years of its campaign., A National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recruitment campaign generated nearly 2,000 completed registrations and beat click-through-rate and cost-per-click goals.

## Products & services

- **Strategic Planning** — Audience-centric planning built from research, goals, segments, messages, tactics and evaluation measures, including the firm's proprietary Roadmap tool.
- **Research & Evaluation** — Surveys, focus groups, interviews, message testing, audience insight and campaign measurement.
- **Branding & Messaging** — Positioning, naming, message architecture, visual identity and brand guidelines.
- **Creative Development** — Campaign concepts and materials across print, digital, advertising and environmental formats.
- **Digital Engagement** — Web, social and digital storytelling designed around audience action.
- **Paid Media** — Planning, buying, targeting and optimization across digital, radio, print and out-of-home channels.
- **Media Relations** — Story development, press materials, earned-media outreach and release protocols.
- **Multicultural Outreach** — Culturally and linguistically adapted communications for diverse communities.
- **Events & Conferences** — Event strategy, content, logistics and audience engagement.
- **Video and Website Production** — Video, animation and web experiences used within integrated campaigns.

## Achievements

- The CDC Zika Domestic Readiness campaign reached more than 26 million people; exposed audiences were more likely to take preventive action.
- AARP Foundation awareness and familiarity increased 10% during the first three years of its campaign.
- A National Board for Professional Teaching Standards recruitment campaign generated nearly 2,000 completed registrations and beat click-through-rate and cost-per-click goals.
- The CDC Drink Less, Be Your Best campaign generated more than 25 million impressions in its initial flights and became a 2023 PR Daily Nonprofit Communications Awards finalist.
- Named a Washington Post Top Workplace in 2024.
- Named a Ragan Top Place to Work in Communications in 2024.
- Recognized as a PR Daily Small Agency of the Year in 2022.
- Won a PR Daily Social Media & Digital Award for its employee intranet.
- Celebrated 50 years in business in 2023 and 15 years as a fully employee-owned company.

## Latest updates

- **2024-08** — Hager Sharp received an FDA public-health nutrition education support services call with a ceiling of $174,193 and a term extending roughly one year.
- **2024-06** — The Washington Post named Hager Sharp one of the D.C. area's Top Workplaces, listing 59 local employees.
- **2024** — Ragan recognized Hager Sharp as a Top Place to Work in Communications, highlighting employee ownership, inclusive culture and community volunteering.
- **2023** — Hager Sharp marked its 50th anniversary and 15th year as a fully employee-owned company.

## Links

- Website: https://hagersharp.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hager-sharp
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/hagersharp
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hagersharpcreates/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hagersharp

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/hager-sharp
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-22