A New York-based company is disrupting traditional public relations by offering something the industry has avoided for decades: a contractual guarantee of publication or a full refund.
Baden Bower, which generated $30 million in annual recurring revenue last year, is now promising its clients coverage in Forbes and 500 other major publications within three days. The company refunds every dollar if it doesn’t live up to its promises. AJ Ignacio, CEO of Baden Bower, said that since launching the guaranteed placement model, his company has processed over 15,000 media posts for 3,600 clients across five continents.
Traditional PR agencies typically charge monthly fees between $10,000 and $50,000, with no guarantee of media coverage. Baden Bower’s model completely eliminates this financial risk.
Traditional agencies are facing the loss of their customers
PR managers at established companies criticize guaranteed brokerage services, describing them as paid media disguised as editorial content. Marketing data from 2024 shows that 94 percent of executives now rate digital PR as essential to brand growth, increasing pressure on established companies to adapt their business models.
Baden Bower experienced 685 percent year-over-year growth and maintained a 4.8 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from 216 reviews. The company received a 5.0 rating from employees on Glassdoor. Rolling Stone UK named Baden Bower among the top 10 PR agencies in 2025.
“We eliminated the retainer model because customers deserve accountability,” Ignacio said. “Traditional agencies operate in a black box where clients pay monthly fees and hope for results. We only charge when we deliver the publication.”
Speed replaces six-month schedules
Most PR campaigns take six months or longer to secure a single post in a major publication. Baden Bower shortened this time frame to 72 hours through proprietary relationships with editors and digital distribution systems.
The company offers real-time dashboards that allow customers to track their campaigns from submission to publication. Each placement includes downloadable publication logos that customers can display on their websites immediately after the story is published. Customers report conversion rate increases of between 20 and 50 percent after securing verified media placement through Baden Bower.
Startups that are looking for investor financing in particular value the speed advantage. According to venture capital sources, saying “As featured on Forbes” or “As seen on Business Insider” on a pitch deck can speed up funding discussions. Baden Bower serves clients in technology, finance, real estate, healthcare, luxury goods and professional services.
Data increases the success rate of publications
Baden Bower uses proprietary algorithms to match customer reports with relevant publications and publishers. The system analyzes thousands of previously published articles to find out which story views resonate with specific media outlets.
The company expanded its operations to the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, Singapore and the Philippines to serve international customers. Headcount growth doubled in 2024 to meet increased demand from companies exiting traditional PR firms.
“Entrepreneurs need credibility quickly,” Ignacio explained. “Waiting six months to maybe get covered doesn’t work when you’re competing for customers, investors or partnerships. We’ve built our entire infrastructure around fast, guaranteed results.”
Baden Bower’s customer base includes both start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. The company secured coverage in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Rolling Stone and more than 500 other media outlets. Each Publishing Agreement will specify the exact sales, timing and refund terms before the customer pays.
Industry observers are following the change
Marketing analysts view Baden Bower’s growth as evidence that the professional services industry may be shifting toward results-based compensation. The legal, consulting and accounting industries have historically charged costs for effort rather than results.
In addition to its sales growth, Baden Bower also reported a 264 percent increase in net profit. The company’s success rate ensures financial sustainability, which supports its money-back guarantee program.
Competitors offering similar guaranteed matchmaking services have emerged, including Otter PR, SmartBug Media and Spynn.co. What sets Baden Bower apart is its access to world-class publications and its operational reach across five continents. Traditional PR giants like Edelman, Ogilvy Public Relations and FleishmanHillard continue to operate on fee-based models.
Critics of the PR industry argue that guaranteed placements undermine journalistic independence. Baden Bower ensures that its placements meet editorial standards and that publications retain final approval of all content. The company positions its service to enable legitimate stories, not buy editorial space.
“We connect current stories with relevant publications,” Ignacio said. “The guarantee of this is our distribution network and the relationships we have built over the years. Journalists still decide what is published.”
Risk-free model attracts skeptical customers
Companies burned by traditional PR agencies make up a significant portion of Baden Bower’s client base. Many report paying tens of thousands in fees to previous agencies without receiving a single media placement.
Baden Bower’s Trustpilot reviews often mention the company’s transparency and communication during campaigns. Customers receive updates at every stage instead of submitting payments and waiting weeks for status reports.
The 72-hour turnaround time depends on the complexity of the story and publishing requirements. Some assignments may last longer than three days, but Baden Bower commits to specific time frames specified in each contract. The company processes expedited requests for customers with time-sensitive business needs, such as: E.g. product launches or financing announcements.
Baden Bower’s growth trajectory suggests that the demand for accountability in professional services extends beyond PR. The company’s success challenges the assumption that service-oriented companies cannot guarantee specific results while maintaining quality standards.
