1.0Market Snapshot
- 2,439
- Public relations and communication consultancies in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 70.21), 1.7% fewer than in 2023 but 37.2% more than in 2011. Advertising agencies are counted separately.
- 5,717
- Employees in PR and communication consultancies in 2024 (BFS STATENT), 4,034 full-time equivalents; 2.3 employees per business and 53% women.
- -2.6%
- Employment change in 2024 (BFS STATENT), the first fall after years of slow growth; employment is still 24.4% above 2011.
According to Val Index analysis of Swiss commercial-register and federal data (2026), Switzerland counts 2,439 pr & corporate communications companies — Public relations and communication consultancies in 2024 (BFS STATENT, NOGA 70.21), 1.7% fewer than in 2023 but 37.2% more than in 2011. Advertising agencies are counted separately..
2.0Industry Overview
Swiss public relations is an industry of very small firms. BFS counted 2,439 PR and communication consultancies with 5,717 employees in 2024 (STATENT, NOGA 70.21): on average 2.3 people per business, and the average has been shrinking for a decade. The number of firms grew by 37.2% between 2011 and 2023, mostly through one-person consultancies, but in 2024 both firms (-1.7%) and employment (-2.6%) fell for the first time.
3.0Industry Health Check (SWOT)
- Close relationships with companies, associations and authorities
- Very small firms (2.3 employees on average)
- Crisis, reputation and public-affairs mandates
- Falling advertising and communication budgets (-1.3% in 2025)
Unlock full PR & Corporate Communications intelligence
Market trends, cost structure, key players, succession analysis and regional clusters for PR & Corporate Communications — free with Market Pulse, our monthly letter on Swiss deals.
Includes one letter a month on Swiss deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
PR & Corporate Communications business valuation in Switzerland
- Statutory Multiple (EBITDA)
- 3.0 - 5.0×
- Deal Multiple (EBITDA)
- 4.0 - 6.5×
- Market Trend
- Stable
Indicative ranges based on market research. Actual multiples vary by company size, growth, and market conditions.
8.0Regional Clusters
Western Switzerland
670 businesses with 1,475 employees in 2024 (BFS STATENT), slightly more firms than Zurich.
Zurich
655 businesses with 1,754 employees, 30.7% of national employment; Farner, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hirzel.Neef.Schmid, Dynamics Group, Rod and Heads are registered here.
Bern and Solothurn
268 businesses with 842 employees, 3.1 per business; furrerhugi is registered in Bern.
Northwestern Switzerland
262 businesses with 536 employees.
Central Switzerland
260 businesses with 536 employees.
Eastern Switzerland
186 businesses with 324 employees.
Ticino
134 businesses with 245 employees.
Sources
9.0Frequently Asked Questions
▶How much is a PR agency worth in Switzerland?
ValIndex's multiples table puts Swiss PR and communications at 4.0–6.5× EBITDA in transactions and 3.0–5.0× EBITDA on statutory valuations. Agencies with retainer mandates, diversified clients and a team beyond the founders sit at the upper end; one-partner consultancies at the lower end.
▶What drives the value of a Swiss PR or communications consultancy?
Buyers price: (1) retainer versus project revenue; (2) client diversification; (3) dependence on the founding partners; (4) specialist skills such as crisis communication or public affairs; (5) staff retention; (6) access to clients the buyer wants.
▶How big is the Swiss PR industry?
BFS counted 2,439 PR and communication consultancies with 5,717 employees and 4,034 full-time equivalents in 2024 (STATENT, NOGA 70.21). There is no official figure for PR fee income.
▶Who are the main Swiss PR and communications agencies?
Leading agencies include Farner Consulting, Burson Cohn & Wolfe, Hirzel.Neef.Schmid.Konsulenten, Dynamics Group, Rod Kommunikation and Heads Corporate Branding in Zurich, and furrerhugi in Bern.
▶What are the key trends in Swiss PR and communications?
Five trends: (1) the first decline in firms and jobs in a decade; (2) ever smaller firms; (3) European buy-and-build led by Team Farner; (4) tighter communication budgets; (5) Western Switzerland matching Zurich in the number of firms.
▶What are the main risks when buying a Swiss PR agency?
The main risks are: (1) dependence on the founders' networks; (2) loss of key people and their clients; (3) project-based revenue; (4) clients moving work in-house; (5) AI tools reducing fees for routine work. Due diligence should check client contracts, revenue per client, staff retention and non-compete clauses.
▶How large is the typical Swiss PR consultancy?
Very small: in 2024 the average PR and communication consultancy had 2.3 employees and 1.65 full-time equivalents, down from 1.87 in 2011 (BFS STATENT).
▶Where are Swiss PR agencies located?
Using BFS figures for 2024: Western Switzerland has the most PR consultancies (670, with 1,475 employees), followed by Zurich (655; 1,754), Bern and Solothurn (268; 842), Northwestern Switzerland (262; 536), Central Switzerland (260; 536), Eastern Switzerland (186; 324) and Ticino (134; 245).