Deep Expertise. Nimble Execution.

In times of uncertainty, companies need communications partners who bring both wisdom and agility. Abba Group delivers the strategic depth and senior-level experience you'd expect from a major agency, with the flexibility and responsiveness that today's environment demands.

We scale up when you need comprehensive support. We scale down when you need targeted expertise. And we do it all with the kind of seasoned judgment that comes from decades of experience guiding Fortune 10 companies, Big Four firms, and mission-driven organizations through their most critical moments.

$Ann Barlow$

Meet Ann

Founder & Principal

Ann Barlow brings 25+ years of strategic communications expertise to organizations navigating their most critical moments. As a senior partner at Peppercomm, she was part of a four-partner executive team that grew the business 30% over three years before its successful acquisition by Ruder Finn.

At Ruder Finn, Ann built a new manufacturing technology and industrial practice from the ground up to address the rapid integration of generative AI and other technologies into manufacturing.

Her experience spans the spectrum of high-stakes communications: positioning AI and technology companies for growth (Airkit.ai, acquired by Salesforce; Exabeam; Torc Robotics), managing environmental crises for Fortune 500 manufacturers (St. Gobain PFAS contamination), and pioneering change management approaches for Big Four consulting (EY Europe's improv-comedy methodology).

Education: B.A. in Public Relations, University of Illinois
Leadership: Former Board Chair, Watermark & Professional BusinessWomen of California
Current: College of Charleston Advisory Council for the School of Communications

Why Work With Us

Senior-Level Expertise

25+ years navigating Fortune 10 companies, Big Four firms, mission-driven organizations, and high-growth technology companies. You get senior-level strategic counsel, not layers of junior staff managing your account.

Right-Sized Teams

No excess overhead, no layers. We bring exactly the expertise your challenge requires—nothing more, nothing less.

Proven Results

From crisis management to board communications to customer and community engagement, we've guided organizations through their highest-stakes moments.

What We Do

Reputation & Leadership

Corporate Reputation & Issues Management
Executive & CEO Communications
Crisis & Rapid Response

Technology & Trust

AI, Technology & Public Trust
Regulatory & Policy Communications

Stakeholder Engagement

Media Relations & Press Strategy
Social Media & Digital Engagement
Board & Investor Communications
Organizational Communications Leadership
Communications Operating Models

Access to Specialized Expertise

When your challenge requires specialized capabilities—design, development, demand-generation marketing—we tap our network of trusted specialists to build exactly the team you need.

You get integrated, seamless support without the fixed costs of a large agency infrastructure.