In a complex world, our approach is simple.

Strategy first, message always.

Strategic Solutions & Expertise

    • Social Media and Digital Strategy

    • Executive Thought Leadership

    • Crisis Management

    • Media Relations

    • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communications

    • Campaign Strategy & Development

    • Digital Advertising

    • Video Production & Direction

    • Traditional Media Campaigns

    • Integrated Marketing Campaigns

    • Copywriting & Creative Services

    • Social Media Management

    • Content Strategy & Creation

    • Community Management

    • Paid Social Campaigns

    • Digital Analytics & Reporting

    • Email Marketing

    • Strategic Media Planning

    • Traditional Media Buying

    • Digital Media Planning

    • Campaign Optimization

    • Media Analytics & Reporting

    • Market Research

    • Crisis Response Planning

    • Issues Management

    • Reputation Management

    • Media Relations During Crisis

    • Internal Communications

    • Stakeholder Communications

Steve Caplan

Founder & Principal Strategist

With over two decades of experience at the intersection of public affairs, entertainment, and advertising, Steve Caplan brings a unique approach to strategic communications, advocacy, and executive leadership development. As the founder of Message, an award-winning communications agency, Steve has partnered with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and public sector clients to craft bold strategies that shape public opinion, elevate executive influence, and drive policy outcomes.

Steve specializes in executive communications, creative development, and public affairs, guiding leaders through complex policy landscapes and positioning them as industry thought leaders. His expertise encompasses crisis management, coalition building, brand positioning, and innovative advocacy campaigns.

Prior to launching Message, Steve held leadership roles at GMMB and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers, where he collaborated with industry giants and policy-makers to create impactful communications strategies.

An educator as well as a practitioner, Steve serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of Southern California, teaching courses on strategic communications, political advertising, and media.

Core Services:

  • Executive Communications & Reputation Strategy

  • Creative & Conceptual Development

  • Advocacy & Public Affairs Strategy

  • Strategic Positioning & Business Transformation

  • Leadership Advisory & Executive Development

Innovative Campaigns and Thought Leadership

  • Message, in collaboration with design studio Los York and Comcast, spearheaded the development and execution of Comcast's Lift Zone experience, a project aimed at providing free, robust WiFi access inside community centers across the U.S. Presented at the SXSW festival, the initiative featured a stunning 3D sculpture symbolizing the connections made possible by Lift Zones and an immersive VR experience explaining the impact. Tying together real-world community outreach with SXSW’s cutting-edge tech scene, the project also included a compelling short film. Comcast’s Lift Zones initiative, guided by Message’s strategic leadership, was named a finalist in the SXSW Innovation Awards and earned the coveted People’s Choice Award.

  • Message led the award-winning launch of Better Health East Bay, a philanthropic initiative of Sutter Health, designed to address critical healthcare challenges in Northern California. Tasked with introducing the brand to an audience with little prior awareness, Message crafted a multi-channel campaign that spotlighted healthcare "hotspotting"—a personalized approach to caring for high-resource patients, or "superutilizers."

    The integrated campaign featured a powerful "Anthem" video, a reimagined, donor-friendly website, and targeted digital and social media ads to engage key partners and donors. By elevating the brand’s message and its impact on underserved communities, Message’s strategic approach earned Ad Age/Modern Healthcare's Video Campaign of the Year award.

  • In this insightful interview with Spectrum News, Steve Caplan, founder of Message and USC professor, delves into the evolving role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its impact on brand reputation and business strategy. Steve explores high-profile examples like Netflix, Bud Light, and Disney, examining how companies navigate the intersection of political activism, social issues, and the corporate bottom line. From ESG programs to B Corps, Steve shares his expertise on how businesses are balancing social impact with financial performance in today’s complex political landscape.

We’d love to work with you.

Contact Us