Landis Communications, Inc. (LCI)
Landis Communications, Inc. (also known as LCI) is one of the oldest independent public relations agencies in San Francisco, CA.
Founded by David Landis in 1990, LCI is noted for its work with numerous national and global brands. During the mid-1990s, LCI helped launch then-nascent San Francisco-based brands Match.com and Old Navy clothing stores. LCI is also known for its support of nonprofit and charitable organizations in Northern California and its advocacy for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual (LGBT) rights.
Overview
Landis Communications, Inc. (LCI) provides public relations and related services, and specializes in consumer, consumer technology, B2B, green tech and biotech sectors. LCI has been recognized for its work by numerous trade organizations and on behalf of nonprofit and charitable organizations.
LCI is a two-time winner of national Bulldog Reporter Bulldog Awards. LCI has also been ranked as one of the top social media agencies in the U.S. In 2012, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce recognized LCI as a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise.
Key management
David Landis
Before founding LCI in 1990, David Landis served in public relations management roles for the Chicago Opera Theatre, the Ravinia Festival, St. Louis Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, and KPIX TV, San Francisco’s CBS network affiliate. At KPIX, Landis’ worked on public education campaigns including the Peabody and Emmy Award-winning program, “AIDS Lifeline,” the first televised AIDS community education program, featuring actress Elizabeth Taylor. In June 1986, President Ronald Reagan honored “AIDS Lifeline” with a Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives. In 2013, Landis was a featured panelist for a discussion titled, “Going Global,” at the Global PR Summit in Miami, FL, one of the public relations industry’s largest annual gatherings.
Giant Step Digital
In 2013, LCI and Castle Group, Boston formed Giant Step Digital, a national digital agency. David Landis and Sandy Lish of Castle Group serve as co-presidents of the firm.
Public Relations Global Network
LCI is a member of the Public Relations Global Network (PRGN), a consortium of nearly 50 international member agencies. Formed in 1992, PRGN is one of the top five public relations networks in the world and serves more than 1,000 clients. In 2012, David Landis was elected president of PRGN. He is the first openly-gay president of the organization.
Clients
Current and previous LCI clients include Walmart, MetLife, NBC Universal, Bravo, Gap, Old Navy, Match.com, Sony, Levi Strauss & Co., Tiffany & Co., Xerox, AAA, AT&T, Pottery Barn, Cold Stone Creamery and Whole Foods Market.
Notable work
In 1995, LCI promoted the launch of the online dating service, Match.com. David Landis retitled the service’s in-house director of communications, “Vice President of Romance,” which generated bookings on the Today Show, Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, and 60 Minutes, and coverage in People Magazine, the New York Times and USA Today. Landis said the strategy “opened the floodgates to media interest” and helped “grow the business from a $5 million valuation to a $55 million business.” LCI served as the agency of record for Old Navy (a Gap, Inc. brand) for seven years and promoted the openings of 600 Old Navy stores nationwide. When Gap, Inc. opened its first Old Navy store in Colma, CA in 1994, LCI created a “media frenzy” by hiring model Cindy Crawford to sign autographs and give away free merchandise. In 1999, LCI conceived and launched a nationwide Library Reading program tied to the introduction of Old Navy 4th of July T-shirts.
Philanthropy
LCI supports numerous Northern California nonprofit and charitable organizations, including Project Open Hand, California Academy of Sciences, ODC, San Francisco Symphony, and Save the Redwoods League. In 2010, LCI donated to 20 nonprofits in the human services, arts, environmental and health categories to mark the firm’s 20th anniversary.
Awards
In 2010, LCI received a Bronze Bulldog Award for its work for the San Francisco Symphony.
In 2011, LCI received a Gold Bulldog Award for Best Education/Public Service Campaign for its work on behalf of the California Academy of Sciences. In 2013, LCI was recognized with an Honorable Mention in the Best Press Release category of PR Daily's first Nonprofit PR Awards.
In July 2014, LCI was ranked #3 among the top 10 public relations companies in the U.S. by the research firm 10 Best PR.