Case Study: 

Connico

Industry: Construction Consulting (Infrastructure & Aviation)
Services Provided: Public Relations, Media Relations, Digital & Social Media Marketing Strategy, Thought Leadership, Company & Leadership Awards

Visit website

Project Goals & Challenges

Connico, a long-standing infrastructure and aviation consulting firm, partnered with Pierce Public Relations to elevate its brand presence and transform how the firm showed up in the industry. Although Connico was well respected for its cost estimating, program management and scheduling expertise, the company lacked a strong external communications presence and sought to modernize its brand, highlight its team further and take a more intentional approach to thought leadership. 

Key Challenges:

At the start of the engagement, Connico had minimal digital or social media presence, limiting its visibility to current clients and industry insiders. Leadership wanted to be positioned as forward-thinking experts with authentic voices but lacked a clear strategy to share their insights. Internally, the firm had incredible stories to tell about its people, its growth and its culture, but there was no structured communications program to bring those narratives forward. Ultimately, Connico needed a long-term strategy to become not only a well-respected partner but a known industry voice. 

Pierce PR launched The B-Side with Sri, a conversational podcast featuring guests from within and beyond the AEC industry.

Our Strategic Approach

Pierce PR designed and executed a holistic PR and brand positioning program to elevate Connico’s presence across media, digital platforms and internal communications. From executive storytelling to national media relations and a custom content series, the program focused on building trust, visibility and connection with Connico’s clients, peers and recruits. 

Pierce PR launched a monthly newsletter, The Connico Chronicle, to share company updates, insights and team stories in a digestible and engaging format.

Unique Tactics & Execution

To showcase Connico’s leadership in an approachable and memorable way, Pierce PR launched two cornerstone content initiatives: From the President’s Desk, a recurring blog series authored by President Sri Kumar, and The B-Side with Sri, a conversational podcast featuring guests from within and beyond the AEC industry. These platforms gave Sri a chance to reflect on leadership, culture and growth in an authentic voice, resulting in genuine industry engagement. One post about Egg McMuffins resonated so strongly that a reader even sent him a gift card with a note of appreciation. We also launched a monthly newsletter, The Connico Chronicle, to share company updates, insights and team stories in a digestible and engaging format. In parallel, we developed a robust LinkedIn strategy, significantly growing Connico’s following and supporting personal content strategies for Sri and COO Bryan Hafertepe. 

Key Campaign Elements:

The program included consistent newsletter development, social media programming, strategic media relations outreach and an ongoing award nomination strategy. We secured high-impact press placements in outlets such as Fortune, State Aviation Journal, AviationPros, Employee Benefit News, Airport Business, The Nashville Post and The Tennessean. These placements spotlighted Connico’s technical capabilities, DEI leadership and company culture. We also helped secure local and industry honors such as Airport Business’s Top 40 Under 40 for five consecutive years, helping raise the firm’s profile as a workplace that attracts and retains top-tier talent. 

Results & Impact

Connico’s transformation has been both measurable and memorable. Their LinkedIn following has grown by over 818% and multiple industry leaders have cited Connico’s social presence as one of the best in the aviation construction sector. The firm’s monthly newsletter has outperformed industry benchmarks in both open and click-through rates, with recipients often personally replying to Sri with feedback and appreciation. From the President’s Desk pieces have become some of the most-visited pages on Connico’s website and The B-Side with Sri continues to be a relationship-builder, opening the door for new partnerships and client conversations. Our award program has also helped amplify individual employee success while reinforcing Connico’s culture of growth. 

Measurable Outcomes:

Before engaging with Pierce PR, Connico had a respected reputation but was largely unknown outside of existing relationships. Today, the firm is recognized nationally as a small but mighty leader in infrastructure and aviation with a distinct brand voice, an admired leadership team and a steady stream of inbound interest in collaborating on content, podcast episodes and events. 

Before & After Comparison: 

Media Highlights

Sri Kumar,
 President Connico

"Partnering with Pierce PR was a clear inflection point in the trajectory of our company. After our first 30 years in business, we knew it was time to reinvent how we showed up and better tell the story of who we are and the incredible talent on our team. Pierce built a thoughtful mix of strategies that put our people front and center, ensuring we could share OUR story with clients and the industry. The result has transformed visibility not just for Connico, but for every member of our team – and we couldn’t be more grateful.”

"The result has transformed visibility not just for Connico, but for every member of our team."

Conclusion & Takeaways

By investing in a storytelling-driven approach to public relations, Connico was able to transform its brand from a behind-the-scenes technical expert to a front-of-mind industry leader. The program proves that even small businesses can punch above their weight when communications are consistent, strategic and infused with authenticity. 

Key Learnings:

Case Studies 

Explore More Results

From construction and infrastructure to architecture and engineering, our
work speaks for itself. As trusted public relations partners, we help AEC and professional services companies elevate their reputation, amplify their message and drive real business outcomes.

View all case Studies