Cision, established in 1867, has grown into a dominant player in the media intelligence and public relations software market. The company offers tools for media monitoring, journalist outreach, press release distribution, and social media analytics. PR teams, marketers, and corporate communicators rely on Cision to track brand mentions, measure earned media impact, and streamline engagement with journalists and influencers.
The company has expanded significantly through acquisitions. In 2015, Cision acquired PR Newswire for $841 million, strengthening its press release distribution capabilities. In 2021, the company purchased Brandwatch for $450 million, adding AI-driven social media analytics to its platform. These acquisitions have positioned Cision as an integrated solution for organizations managing media outreach and public perception.
Cision's database includes millions of journalists, media outlets, and influencers, offering direct access for targeted outreach. The platform's analytics tools assess media sentiment, audience reach, and the effectiveness of PR campaigns. Organizations use Cision to evaluate media coverage in real-time and adjust their communication strategies accordingly.
In January 2020, Cision was acquired by private equity firm Platinum Equity for $2.7 billion. The acquisition enabled further investments in AI and automation, improving Cision's ability to track and analyze media narratives at scale. As of 2025, under CEO Cali Tran, Cision continues to develop new capabilities to support public relations, crisis management, and reputation monitoring.
