What is Stones River Group?
Stones River Group (SRG) is an award-winning consulting firm specializing in state and local government relations, public relations, and strategic communications. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, SRG was founded in 2015 by Mark Cate and Stephen Susano. In the decade since, SRG has grown into one of Tennessee’s leading government relations and public relations firms, advising major companies, small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public entities across Tennessee and beyond. We help organizations create opportunities, solve problems, and achieve their policy, business, and communications objectives.
What does SRG do?
The SRG team helps clients navigate government, regulatory, political, and public affairs environments. Our services include:
- Government relations and lobbying
- Coalition and association management
- Strategic communications and public relations
- Public affairs campaigns
- Business development and government procurement
- Thought leadership
- Social media and digital engagement
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Crisis communications and media training
Our team develops strategies that help clients influence policy, build public support, advance business goals, and strengthen their reputations. From helping Nashville win its 2017 bid for Major League Soccer to supporting the transformational Nashville Yards development, see how we have helped our clients succeed.
Is Stones River Group a Nashville lobbying firm?
Yes. Stones River Group is a Nashville-based government relations, lobbying, and communications firm that helps organizations engage with state and local governments throughout Tennessee. Our team works with businesses, nonprofits, trade associations, and public entities seeking legislative, regulatory, and public policy solutions. SRG brings in-depth experience in all branches of Tennessee government, working with the General Assembly, the governor’s administration, state agencies, and local governments across the state.
What industries does SRG work with?
SRG works across a wide range of industries, tailoring each strategy to the unique challenges of the sector. These include:
- Economic development
- Healthcare
- Education
- Transportation
- Real estate development
- Technology
- Nonprofit organizations
- Professional services
- Local government and public sector entities
- Retail and hospitality
- Sports and entertainment
- Waste and environmental services
What type of clients does SRG serve?
SRG works with organizations of every size seeking to achieve regulatory, legislative, communications, public affairs, and business development objectives. We advise:
- Major corporations
- Small and midsize businesses
- Nonprofit organizations
- Trade associations
- Public entities
- Economic development organizations
- Educational institutions
- Community coalitions
Where is SRG located?
Stones River Group is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, with our office located at 21 Platform Way South in the downtown Nashville Yards development. From Nashville, we support clients throughout Tennessee and advise organizations with local, regional, and statewide interests in communities such as Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and beyond.
What makes SRG different?
Unlike firms that focus on a single discipline, the team at Stones River Group combines proven expertise in government relations and strategic communications under one roof. Our award-winning strategists bring in-depth experience in government affairs, politics, business, and communications, including senior-level service in Tennessee state government. SRG can integrate policy, advocacy, stakeholder engagement, communications, and business development into unified strategies that drive measurable outcomes. And for clients who need only government relations or only communications support, SRG brings the same depth of expertise to each discipline.
Does SRG provide lobbying services?
Yes. Stones River Group provides professional government relations and lobbying services, helping clients engage effectively with state and local policymakers, regulatory agencies, public officials, and community stakeholders. Our services include executive branch, legislative, and regulatory lobbying; policy analysis; legislative tracking and bill monitoring; advocacy planning; Day on the Hill events at the State Capitol; and Political Action Committee (PAC) formation and management.
What is government relations?
Government relations helps organizations understand and engage with government decision-makers and regulatory bodies. This can include legislative advocacy, policy analysis, coalition building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic counsel on governmental actions that may affect a business or organization.
When should a company hire a government relations firm?
Companies should consider hiring a government relations consultant when legislative, regulatory, or public policy decisions could affect their operations, growth plans, reputation, or industry. A government relations consultant can help organizations understand complex policy environments, build relationships with key stakeholders, anticipate emerging issues, and develop strategies to achieve their objectives.
Businesses often seek government relations support when:
- New legislation or regulations could impact their industry.
- They need assistance navigating state or local government processes.
- They are pursuing permits, approvals, or public-private partnerships.
- They want to advocate for policy changes.
- They are expanding into new markets or communities.
- They need help managing government-related risks or opportunities.
Engaging a government relations team early allows organizations to be proactive rather than reactive, ensuring their voice is part of the conversation before critical decisions are made.
What does a public affairs firm do?
A public affairs firm helps organizations build support for important initiatives by combining communications, stakeholder engagement, government relations, and advocacy strategies. Public affairs efforts often involve educating policymakers, community leaders, media outlets, and the public about key issues. Stones River Group develops comprehensive public affairs campaigns that help organizations strengthen their reputations, communicate effectively, and achieve policy or business objectives.
My organization needs public relations support. Does Stones River Group provide public relations and media relations services?
Yes. Strategic communications and public relations are among SRG’s core capabilities. We help organizations develop messaging, manage issues, build stakeholder support, and communicate effectively with key audiences. Our services include media relations, story and message development, thought leadership, crisis communications and rapid response, media training, community relations, brand strategy and storytelling, and internal and change management communications.
When should an organization hire a public relations or strategic communications firm?
Organizations often hire a strategic communications firm when they need help developing clear messaging, protecting their reputation, engaging stakeholders, or supporting major business initiatives. Effective communications can help organizations build credibility, gain public support, manage challenges, and achieve measurable outcomes. Stones River Group helps clients create communication strategies that align with their goals and connect with the audiences that matter most.
What role does public relations play in public policy campaigns?
Public and media relations are essential to successful public policy campaigns because they help organizations clearly explain their goals, educate stakeholders, and build support among decision-makers, community leaders, media outlets, and the public.
Even the strongest policy proposal can struggle without effective communication. Strategic communications can help organizations:
- Develop clear and compelling messages.
- Build credibility and trust with stakeholders.
- Educate audiences about complex issues.
- Mobilize supporters and advocates.
- Manage public perception and reputation.
- Respond to misinformation or opposition.
- Align communications efforts across multiple audiences.
Successful public policy campaigns often combine government relations, stakeholder engagement, media relations, digital outreach, and public affairs strategies. When these efforts work together, organizations are better positioned to influence outcomes and achieve lasting results.
What are crisis communications services?
Crisis communications services help organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from situations that may affect their reputation, operations, or stakeholder relationships. Effective crisis communications involve developing messaging, coordinating responses, communicating with media and stakeholders, and providing strategic counsel during sensitive situations. Stones River Group helps clients prepare with actionable crisis plans and media training, then provides rapid-response counsel to manage challenges, reduce uncertainty, and protect their credibility when it matters most.
Does Stones River Group offer support for digital and social strategy?
Yes. Stones River Group specializes in developing and executing comprehensive digital campaigns that help organizations build awareness, engage stakeholders, generate support, and drive action. Our services include channel strategy, content creation, paid social campaigns, influencer and creator engagement, and analytics, all designed to reach the right audiences and achieve measurable communications and public affairs objectives.
How can digital and social campaigns support government relations efforts?
Digital campaigns can complement government relations strategies by building public awareness, educating stakeholders, demonstrating community support, and encouraging engagement from advocates and constituents. When integrated with legislative outreach and stakeholder engagement, digital campaigns can help amplify key messages and strengthen overall advocacy efforts. For example, digital tools can make it easy for community members to send letters of support directly to policymakers when it matters most.
How does Stones River Group measure success with digital campaigns?
The team at SRG uses analytics and performance tracking to measure reach, engagement, audience growth, website traffic, advocacy actions, and conversions. This data allows SRG to report clearly on a campaign’s effectiveness and continuously refine strategies to improve results.
Can Stones River Group support organizations that face regulatory or legislative challenges?
Yes. SRG regularly works with organizations navigating complex legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues. We help clients understand the landscape, develop effective strategies, build stakeholder support, and advocate for positive outcomes.
Does Stones River Group support economic development projects?
Yes. SRG has experience supporting economic development initiatives, transformational projects, industry partnerships, and major investments that require government engagement, public affairs strategy, and stakeholder coordination, including the 19-acre Nashville Yards development in downtown Nashville.
How does SRG help businesses grow?
SRG helps businesses identify opportunities, overcome obstacles, develop relationships, navigate government processes, strengthen market positioning, and pursue strategic growth initiatives. Our business development and procurement services include government procurement strategy; RFI, RFQ, and RFP evaluation; state and local market analysis; and economic development counsel.
Does SRG work with nonprofit organizations?
Yes. Stones River Group advises nonprofit organizations on government relations, communications, advocacy campaigns, stakeholder engagement, community outreach, and strategic positioning.
Can SRG support large-scale organizations?
Yes. Stones River Group advises organizations and companies with operations across the United States, helping them navigate Tennessee’s policy landscape as part of their broader strategies. Our clients include national companies such as Waste Management and CNS Cares, a specialty home healthcare provider serving patients in 20 states.
How can I contact Stones River Group?
Ready to talk? Reach out through our Contact Us page. A member of our team will follow up to discuss how we can support your government relations, communications, public affairs, or business development needs.