# Rise Strategy Group

> Rise Strategy Group is a Chicago-based, women- and minority-owned communications and public affairs firm founded in 2016. It works with companies, public agencies, nonprofits, causes and campaigns on media relations, community engagement, crisis response, digital strategy, content, polling, advertising and events, drawing heavily on a team with newsroom, campaign and government experience.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Chicago, United States
- **Founders:** Tarrah Cooper Wright (CEO and Founder), Tara Swords (Chief Content Officer and Partner; identified as a co-founder in a 2019 client announcement)
- **Products:** Media relations, Community engagement, Crisis management, Digital strategy and content, Advertising and media buying
- **Notable:** Selected with Rudd Resources as an agency of record for the Cook County Land Bank Authority in 2019., Publicly lists work for organizations including Related Midwest, Illinois Medical District, University of Chicago, NextLevel Health, ComEd and Rebuild Foundation., Its archived client page credits the firm with helping defeat Cook County's sweetened beverage tax.

## Products & services

- **Media relations** — Message development, press strategy, pitching and campaign management designed to earn relevant coverage and elevate leaders.
- **Community engagement** — Stakeholder mapping, outreach, coalition building and public-facing engagement with communities affected by an organization's work.
- **Crisis management** — Preparation, response strategy, spokesperson support and reputation management when events move quickly.
- **Digital strategy and content** — Social strategy, content development, storytelling, photography and video for owned and digital channels.
- **Advertising and media buying** — Paid-media planning, creative coordination and placement across campaign channels.
- **Strategic planning and polling** — Research and planning used to understand audiences, test messages and organize communications around measurable objectives.
- **Event production and corporate social responsibility** — Public events, signature moments and responsibility programs that connect organizations with stakeholders.

## Achievements

- Selected with Rudd Resources as an agency of record for the Cook County Land Bank Authority in 2019.
- Publicly lists work for organizations including Related Midwest, Illinois Medical District, University of Chicago, NextLevel Health, ComEd and Rebuild Foundation.
- Its archived client page credits the firm with helping defeat Cook County's sweetened beverage tax.
- Awarded a $250,000 Cook County communications-support contract for December 2025 through November 2027.
- Recommended in 2026 for a Chicago Housing Authority strategic communications contract worth up to $1,195,200 over as many as five years.
- Founder Tarrah Cooper Wright previously managed communications for major national incidents at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and served five years as press secretary to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Chicago Housing Authority materials recommended Rise for a strategic media relations and communications consulting contract worth up to $1,195,200 across a three-year base term and two optional years.
- **2026-03** — Tarrah Cooper Wright was listed as a media contact for the People's Celebration of Reverend Jesse Jackson in Chicago.
- **2025-12** — Cook County approved a $250,000 communications-support contract with Rise for a two-year initial period, with renewal options.
- **2025-09** — Rise handled media relations for Community Investment Corporation's selection of muralist Cristian Roldán from more than 150 submissions.

## Links

- Website: https://www.risestrategygroup.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/risestrategygroup
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risestrategygroup/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseStrategyGroup/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/rise-strategy-group
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-21