The Sounding Board

Flexible, session-based packages providing expert communications strategies for brands of all stages.

Strategic Advisory

for Consumer Brands

With more than a decade of experience shaping communications strategies and guiding stakeholders for brands in all stages of growth, we understand the power of having seasoned advisors by your side.

We are pleased to introduce The Sounding Board, a new communications experience for today’s brands where industry experts provide guidance and tailored strategies that allow your dynamic internal team to execute with confidence, and ease, that fits within your budget.

The Sounding Board bridges the gap between long-term retainers and the strategic communications support you need to break through the noise and authentically connect with new audiences.

How It Works

  • Step 1: Introductory Call

    We begin with an hour long session to hone in your business needs, challenges and goals that will help our team build your customizable playbook (60 Minutes)

  • Step 2: Curated Sessions

    Sit down with your team of experts to review the playbook customized for your brand - we’ll chat through our thinking, why it works and how your team can execute (60 Minutes)

  • Step 3: Empower Your Team

    A collaborative check-in with your team to ignite confidence in executions (60 Minutes)

Akens Group: The Essential Playbook

$2,500 | Two Week Turnaround

  • Refinement of existing messaging points for brand communications efforts

  • Earned media strategy inclusive of editorial themes, target outlets and editors 

  • Best practices for pitching and editor engagement

  • Affiliate insights including proposed programs and rates 

  • Proposed gifting strategies, targets and best practices 

  • Best practices for amplifying media and gifting efforts across owned channels - email, e-comm and social

Akens Group: The Buildable Playbook

$5,000 | Two Week Turnaround

  • Refinement of existing messaging points for brand communications efforts

  • Earned media strategy inclusive of editorial themes, target outlets and editors 

  • Best practices for pitching and editor engagement

  • Affiliate insights including proposed programs and rates 

  • Proposed gifting strategies, targets and best practices 

  • Best practices for amplifying media and gifting efforts across owned channels - email, e-comm and social

Plus

  • Two build ideas based on budget and goals, with targets and executable steps (i.e., collaborations, paid partnerships, pop-ups, etc.)

  • Three (3) team sessions to check-in on progress, workshop messaging, pitching, etc. (60 Minutes)

Akens Group: The Start To Finish Playbook

$10,000 | Three Week Turnaround

  • Refinement of existing messaging points for brand communications efforts

  • Earned media strategy inclusive of editorial themes, target outlets and editors 

  • Best practices for pitching and editor engagement

  • Affiliate insights including proposed programs and rates 

  • Proposed gifting strategies, targets and best practices 

  • Best practices for amplifying media and gifting efforts across owned channels - email, e-comm and social

Plus

  • Four build ideas based on budget and goals, with targets and executable steps (i.e., collaborations, paid partnerships, pop-ups, etc.)

  • Strategic introductions to media and potential partners 

  • Customized brand templates for reporting, briefing documents, etc. 

  • Comprehensive media list with contacts

  • Seven (7) team sessions to check-in on progress, workshop messaging, pitching, etc. (60 Minutes)

Photo of New York City Skyline

What Sets Us Apart?

  • Tailored Guidance: Every session is customized to your brand's unique needs, ensuring solutions that align with your goals and ethos

  • Expert Insights: Benefit from access to top-tier strategists who bring deep industry expertise across fashion, lifestyle and retail sectors

  • Actionable Outcomes: Each engagement delivers tangible action items, clear KPIs and creative solutions you can immediately implement 

  • Cost-Effective Access: Designed for brands seeking strategic advice without the commitment of a full-time retainer

Not Sure Where to Start?

Let’s chat! Schedule a complimentary introductory call to explore how The Sounding Board can be a game-changing partner in your success.

Meet the Experts

  • Britt Akens

    After more than a decade working at the top Fashion and Lifestyle PR agencies in NYC, Britt founded Akens Group in 2023 with the goal of creating a communications firm that helps brands connect with new audiences beyond the expected headline. 

    Under the ethos that your communications partner should be an extension of your internal team, Britt has architected and brought to life campaigns for brands from Target Design Partnerships, FRAME, OMEGA and Oscar de la Renta to launching the next generation of brands such as Glowbar and Jaclyn WHYTE. 

    Today, Britt brings together the discipline of a communications and brand expert with an affinity for culture and connection to help brands bring their vision to life.

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Contact

hello@akensgroup.com 

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Contact

hello@akensgroup.com