Influence. Impact. Reputation.
Essex Strategies is a boutique PR firm and advisory that partners with businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions to craft high-impact strategic communications, secure influential earned media, and successfully navigate reputational issues and crises.
Services
Strategic Communications
Specializing in drafting internal and external communications including community letters, media statements, talking points, FAQs, and Opinion pieces. Language is customized for the culture of an organization or institution and the expectations of each stakeholder group.
Spokesperson Training
We enable leaders to stay on message when speaking with the press so they can capitalize on each opportunity. Sessions include on-camera interviews in which spokespeople can practice answering a wide range of questions and utilizing pivoting techniques.
Crisis & Issues Management
Relied upon for seasoned counsel in planning and 24/7 response, always managed with the utmost discretion and integrity. Experience includes high-profile, delicate, and complex matters such as workplace investigations, industrial accidents, accusations of misconduct, and federal investigations.
Litigation Support
Partnering with general counsel, law firm partners, and independent attorneys to support their clients in the court of public opinion. We collaborate to shape narratives outside the courtroom to build public support or mitigate negative perceptions.
Media Relations
With editorial relationships across print, online, and broadcast outlets, we help identify compelling narratives, secure placements, and fiercely advocate for our clients. Whether it’s executive visibility or exposure for a key initiative, we craft storylines that position our clients as industry leaders.
Public Affairs
We optimize messaging for state ballot campaigns, brief legislative commitee counsel, and frequently draft communicaitons in anticipation of scruity by lawmakers and regulators.
Principal
T.J. Winick is a nationally recognized media strategist, crisis communications counselor, and award-winning author.
For more than a decade, he served in leadership at a Boston-based public relations firm, where he ran the reputation and issues practice and served as account lead for clients across sectors. Prior to his career in strategic communications, T.J. was a correspondent for ABC News, reporting across platforms including Nightline, World News, and Good Morning America.
He is the author of Reputation Capital: How to Navigate Crises and Protect Your Greatest Asset, published by Berrett-Koehler and winner of a 2023 Independent Publisher Book Award. In addition, his insights on brands in crisis have been featured in Forbes, PR Week, PR News, and O’Dwyer’s.
A graduate of Colby College, T.J. is a proud native of Essex County, where he and his family now reside.
Focus
Education
Trusted advisor to independent schools, colleges, universities, and Greek organizations. Speaker at NAICU, NACUA, CASE and other leading education conferences.
Healthcare & Human Services
Advocating for health systems, nonprofits supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and behavorial health challenges, senior housing, medical journals, and indiviual patients.
Financial Services
Successfully securing a range of media across commercial lending, wealth management, and retail banking. Placements include CNBC, FOX Business, Yahoo Finance, and The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial Real Estate
Collaborating with investors, developers, owner/ operators, and general contractors on both proactive reputation building as well as crisis and issues planning, training, and response.
Nonprofit
Passionate about partnering with mission-focused organizations dedicated to repairing the world. Leading programs to drive public awareness, support development, and increase membership.
Praise
“T.J. prepared us for all possible angles…He is a consummate professional, always prepared, well-connected, and a lot of fun to work with.”
Dana/Mission-Focused
“T.J.’s counsel and advice were spot on. His friendly way, collaborative nature and upbeat approach made him an invaluable extension of our in-house team.”
Ed/Professional Services
“T.J. brought much wisdom, experience, important media introductions, and practical advice to our relationship…He made me a more effective communicator.”
