Otter PR is a public relations agency that helps brands and individuals gain media exposure through guaranteed placements in top-tier publications, TV appearances, and digital news outlets. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Otter PR co-founder Scott Bartnick to learn more.
Scott Bartnick’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Bartnick said:
“I started my career as an engineer before transitioning into eCommerce and business consulting. That experience taught me how to build and scale brands quickly, which naturally evolved into launching a PR firm focused on growth and ROI.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Bartnick shared:
“I co-founded Otter PR to challenge the outdated PR model. We believed brands needed a PR agency that delivered results—not retainers without outcomes. That’s where our OTR™ method (Outreach, Trends, Relationships) was born.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Bartnick reflected:
“Seeing us win the #1 PR Firm on Clutch and G2 back-to-back, then walking into the office to celebrate with the team—champagne, confetti, the whole thing. That moment was special.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Bartnick explained:
“We specialize in earned media—features in outlets like Forbes, NYT, USA Today, and CNBC. Our offerings include traditional PR, media training, podcast placements, speaking engagements, and guaranteed placement opportunities like USA Today features.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector recently? Bartnick acknowledged:
“The biggest challenge is fighting industry skepticism around PR’s ROI. We combat that by guaranteeing media coverage each month and being transparent about results, which has helped build trust quickly.”
Evolution Of The Company’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Bartnick noted:
“We’ve built internal tools that monitor media trends in real-time and alert us to pitch opportunities before they become headlines. We also built a proprietary journalist network to accelerate response to breaking news.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Bartnick cited:
“Becoming the fastest-growing PR firm in Florida, hitting 7-figure months, and earning over 30+ industry awards including recognition from Forbes, UpCity, and Entrepreneur Magazine.”
Customer Success Stories
Can you share any specific customer success stories? Bartnick highlighted:
“One of our clients, a small fintech startup, was featured in CNBC, Yahoo Finance, and Bloomberg in under 60 days. They used that media to raise a successful funding round.”
Funding/Revenue
Are you able to discuss funding and/or revenue metrics? Bartnick revealed:
“We’re bootstrapped and profitable. We’ve scaled to over 7 figures in monthly revenue without taking on outside capital—and that’s been intentional.”
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Bartnick assessed:
“We’re targeting the $100B+ global PR and communications market, with a strong focus on mid-sized businesses and high-growth startups in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Bartnick affirmed:
“Three things: We guarantee results every month. We move fast. And we’ve built a culture that attracts media pros from top outlets. Our team includes former anchors, journalists, and producers.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Bartnick emphasized:
“We’re expanding into AI-assisted media strategy, launching a self-service PR platform, and growing internationally—with plans to open offices in London and Toronto.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Bartnick concluded:
“Just that the PR world is evolving fast, and we’re not just keeping up—we’re building the future of it.”
