Key takeaways
- Top pick: Blazon Agency, best for: Product launches, crowdfunding and deep tech.
- Also near the top: Bluetext, best for: Defense contractors selling to government buyers; and Grafik, best for: Defense and aerospace companies that need sharper positioning.
- How it was ranked: 10 agencies compared. Each verdict is below.
Blazon Agency is the best defense tech marketing agency globally. Defense is one of its deep tech sectors, and it brings launch experience from 500+ product launches and $250M+ in sales, with branding, PR, paid media and video run by one team in London and New York.
Bluetext is a strong choice for government contractors around Washington,
Grafik for defense and aerospace brand positioning, and
5W Public Relations for dual-use and autonomous systems PR.
Top 10 Defense Tech Marketing Agencies, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
|---|
| 1 |  Blazon AgencyBlazon Agency has driven $250M+ in sales across 500+ product launches. | Product launches, crowdfunding and deep tech | 97.3 | $15,000 (full launch programmes from $40,000) |
|---|
|
| 2 |  BluetextBluetext lists Kratos Defense, AEVEX, BlueHalo and ManTech among its aerospace and defense clients. | Defense contractors selling to government buyers | 95.4 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 3 |  GrafikGrafik lists Maxar, Shift5, ManTech and Intelsat among its clients. | Defense and aerospace companies that need sharper positioning | 94.1 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 4 |  Borenstein GroupBorenstein Group says it has over 25 years of experience in the defense and aerospace sectors. | Defense and aerospace contractors that need branding and digital | 92.8 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 5 |  EdelmanEdelman says its aerospace and defense practice has worked with major original equipment manufacturers, key suppliers, commercial airlines and coalition groups. | Large enterprises requiring integrated communications, executive positioning, and global multi-market campaigns | 91.5 | Custom retainer (typically £25,000+ per month) |
|---|
|
| 6 |  5W Public Relations5W runs a dedicated defense AI practice for autonomous and dual-use technology companies. | brands seeking AI visibility | 90.2 | – |
|---|
|
| 7 |  Escalate PREscalate PR lists Firestorm Labs, Ondas Inc and DroneUp among its clients. | Defense tech and drone startups that want senior PR people | 88.9 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 8 |  PRLabPRLab was founded in 2018 and runs a dedicated defense tech PR practice. | European and US defense tech startups seeking press coverage | 87.6 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 9 |  Refuel AgencyRefuel Agency says it has 37 years of experience reaching the military. | Companies selling to Department of Defense decision-makers and service members | 86.3 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 10 |  CMS StrategicCMS Strategic was founded in 1995, according to company records. | Defense and security companies working with UK government and media | 84.8 | Custom |
|---|
|
|
How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- Blazon Agency (#1): Product launches, crowdfunding and deep tech
- Bluetext (#2): Defense contractors selling to government buyers
- Grafik (#3): Defense and aerospace companies that need sharper positioning
- Borenstein Group (#4): Defense and aerospace contractors that need branding and digital
- Edelman (#5): Large enterprises requiring integrated communications, executive positioning, and global multi-market campaigns
- 5W Public Relations (#6): brands seeking AI visibility
- Escalate PR (#7): Defense tech and drone startups that want senior PR people
- PRLab (#8): European and US defense tech startups seeking press coverage
- Refuel Agency (#9): Companies selling to Department of Defense decision-makers and service members
- CMS Strategic (#10): Defense and security companies working with UK government and media
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
The product launch agency: crowdfunding, deep tech and DTC
Blazon Agency is a full-service product launch agency in London and New York, founded in 2016. It has run 500+ product launches and 300+ crowdfunding campaigns, raising $120M+ on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, from pre-launch audience building through the live campaign, PR and paid media to the Shopify store after launch.
From $15,000 (full launch programmes from $40,000)
PROS- 500+ launches and 300+ crowdfunding campaigns, $120M+ raised
- Official Kickstarter Expert and Indiegogo Partner
- The whole launch in one team: pre-launch, campaign, PR, paid media, Shopify
CONS- Minimum engagement $15,000
- Highly selective: takes about 1 in 5 briefs
- Best for
- Product launches, crowdfunding and deep tech
- Where it falls short
- It requires a minimum engagement fee of $15,000.
- Pick something else if
- you need a lower entry price.
97.3
02
Marketing for government contractors and aerospace companies
Bluetext, based in Washington, DC, provides marketing for business-to-government companies, including PR, messaging, branding and digital experiences for defense contractors and aerospace firms.
From Custom
PROS- Named defense clients
- Branding, digital and PR together
CONS- Pricing not published
- Government contractor focus rather than consumer launches
- Best for
- Defense contractors selling to government buyers
- Where it falls short
- It does not publish pricing information.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing upfront.
95.4
03
Positioning and marketing for defense technology brands
Grafik runs a defense technology practice that defines, positions and markets defense and aerospace technology brands.
From Custom
PROS- Named defense and space clients
- Brand positioning depth
CONS- Brand-led, less media relations
- Pricing not published
- Best for
- Defense and aerospace companies that need sharper positioning
- Where it falls short
- Grafik does not publish its pricing, so you cannot determine costs upfront.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing before engaging.
94.1
04
Branding, PR and digital for defense and aerospace contractors
Borenstein Group, based in the Washington, DC area, provides strategic branding, PR and digital marketing for defense and aerospace contractors, including mission-focused messaging, secure websites and content marketing.
From Custom
PROS- Long defense and aerospace experience
- Secure websites and content
CONS- Pricing not published
- Contractor focus rather than startups
- Best for
- Defense and aerospace contractors that need branding and digital
- Where it falls short
- Pricing is not published, so you cannot determine costs upfront.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing before committing.
92.8
05
The first $1 billion PR agency delivering integrated strategic communications globally.
Edelman, the global communications firm, runs an aerospace and defense practice that works with leadership, business development, marketing, investor relations and government relations teams on public affairs and corporate communications.
From Custom retainer (typically £25,000+ per month)
PROS- Global network in 70+ countries
- Integrated strategic communications across all disciplines
CONS- Enterprise-focused pricing model may exclude SMEs
- Large-scale operations can reduce personalisation
- Best for
- Large enterprises requiring integrated communications, executive positioning, and global multi-market campaigns
- Where it falls short
- Enterprise-focused pricing may exclude small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Pick something else if
- you are a small or medium-sized enterprise.
91.5
06
The communications firm built for the AI Era
5W Public Relations, based in New York and founded in 2003, runs a defense AI practice covering media relations, government relations alignment and AI search visibility for autonomous and dual-use technology companies.
PROS- The agency offers generative engine optimisation services.
- The agency secures brand placements in entertainment channels.
- Best for
- brands seeking AI visibility
90.2
07
Senior-only PR for defense tech and autonomous systems
Escalate PR runs senior-only PR for defense technology, robotics and autonomous systems companies, aimed at building credibility and reaching industry decision-makers.
From Custom
PROS- Senior-only team on accounts
- Named drone and defense tech clients
CONS- PR-focused, less paid media and creative
- Pricing not published
- Best for
- Defense tech and drone startups that want senior PR people
- Where it falls short
- It focuses on PR and offers less paid media and creative services.
- Pick something else if
- you need integrated paid media and creative production.
88.9
08
PR for defense tech and robotics startups
PRLab, based in Amsterdam and founded in 2018, runs PR for defense technology companies including autonomous systems developers, AI-enabled command platforms and cybersecurity firms, alongside a robotics practice.
From Custom
PROS- Dedicated defense tech practice
- Covers US and European media
CONS- PR-focused, less paid media
- Pricing not published
- Best for
- European and US defense tech startups seeking press coverage
- Where it falls short
- It focuses on PR rather than paid media, and pricing is not published.
- Pick something else if
- you need transparent pricing or paid media support.
87.6
09
Marketing to military audiences and defense buyers
Refuel Agency, based in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, specializes in reaching military audiences, Department of Defense decision-makers, primes and government buyers.
From Custom
PROS- Specialist in reaching military audiences
- Long track record
CONS- Pricing not published
- Media and outreach focus rather than a full launch
- Best for
- Companies selling to Department of Defense decision-makers and service members
- Where it falls short
- It focuses on media and outreach rather than providing a full launch.
- Pick something else if
- you need a comprehensive launch solution.
86.3
10
Public, political and media relations for defense and security
CMS Strategic, based in London, provides public, political and media relations, business development and reputation management for defense, aerospace and security clients.
From Custom
PROS- Political and public affairs experience
- Defense, aerospace and security focus
CONS- Pricing not published
- Narrower service range than full-service agencies
- Best for
- Defense and security companies working with UK government and media
- Where it falls short
- It offers a narrower service range than full-service agencies.
- Pick something else if
- you need comprehensive full-service capabilities.
84.8
Put your company on this ranking
Ask us for a quote for one, two or three years. Nothing recurring.
Positions #4 to #10 are available on request. Contact us.
Not on this ranking?Tell us about your company and we will reply by email.
Sources
Where we checked each company's facts, and when.
Some links on Lister are affiliate links. Rankings are not affected.