# Vanguard Communications

> Vanguard Communications is a Washington, DC public relations and social marketing agency built around an unusually durable filter: work should advance a social purpose. Founded in 1987 and now led and solely owned by co-founder Maria Rodriguez, the Hispanic woman-owned, B Corp-certified firm helps government agencies, nonprofits, foundations, associations and impact-driven businesses turn complicated issues into audience research, strategy, brands, campaigns, media, digital content, events and training.

- **Founded:** 1987
- **Headquarters:** Washington, United States
- **Founders:** Maria J. Rodriguez (Co-founder, President and CEO; sole owner)
- **Team size:** 20 employees on the company website; a third-party record supplied for this profile lists 41.
- **Products:** Communications planning and audience research, Branding, design and editorial, Integrated media and digital strategy, Social marketing and behavior-change campaigns, Community engagement and multicultural outreach
- **Notable:** Earned B Corp certification with a 97.1 overall B Impact score, above the 80-point certification threshold., Received more than 180 awards since 2003 across graphic design, digital work, campaigns, media relations and events., Reported 602 million media impressions, 33 million Twitter impressions and partnerships with more than 160 organizations for the 2017 National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day effort.

## Products & services

- **Communications planning and audience research** — Research, audience insights, message testing, evaluation and strategic planning for complex public-interest issues.
- **Branding, design and editorial** — Brand strategy, identity systems, positioning, content development, graphic design and accessible editorial materials.
- **Integrated media and digital strategy** — Earned media, social media, digital campaigns, video, influencer and celebrity engagement, and media monitoring.
- **Social marketing and behavior-change campaigns** — Research-led campaigns in public health, behavioral health, education, youth and families, and environmental protection.
- **Community engagement and multicultural outreach** — Stakeholder engagement and culturally and linguistically relevant communications shaped with communities rather than merely aimed at them.
- **Training, events and crisis counsel** — Spokesperson training, technical assistance, event strategy and production, internal communications, and crisis preparation and response.

## Achievements

- Earned B Corp certification with a 97.1 overall B Impact score, above the 80-point certification threshold.
- Received more than 180 awards since 2003 across graphic design, digital work, campaigns, media relations and events.
- Reported 602 million media impressions, 33 million Twitter impressions and partnerships with more than 160 organizations for the 2017 National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day effort.
- Maria Rodriguez was inducted into the PRNEWS Hall of Fame in 2019 and named a PRWeek Woman of Distinction in 2023.
- Maria Rodriguez received a 2024 Washington Business Journal Women Who Mean Business award.
- Recognized with a Gold Hermes Creative Award for ethical-AI insights in 2026.
- Held public-sector contracting vehicles including a GSA Multiple Award Schedule and SAMHSA IDIQ.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Published new work on generative-engine optimization and highlighted a Gold Hermes Creative Award for ethical-AI insights.
- **2026-07** — Expanded its public case-study library with work for the National Museum of the American Latino, Next250, the MacArthur Justice Center and Equal Origins.
- **2026-03** — Announced B Corp certification; B Lab reports an overall score of 97.1.
- **2025-10** — Presented a decision framework for whether associations and nonprofits should speak during fast-moving crises.
- **2024-10** — Was selected to support awareness and communications for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino.

## Links

- Website: https://vancomm.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vanguard-communications/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/vancomm
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/vancomm.bsky.social
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vancomm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vancomm

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/vanguard-communications
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-19