Story Group Named 2026 IABE International Excellence Award Winner

Story Group has been named a 2026 IABE International Excellence Award Winner, receiving the highest level of recognition issued by the International Association for Business Excellence for exceptional strategic communications and high-stakes reputation expertise.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States, 16th Sep 2026 — Story Group, the Charlottesville, Virginia-based strategic communications firm serving enterprise organizations, executives, public figures, and mission-driven organizations, has been named a 2026 IABE International Excellence Award Winner by the International Association for Business Excellence.

The International Excellence Award represents the highest level of recognition issued by the International Association for Business Excellence, recognizing organizations that demonstrate exceptional standards of professionalism, customer excellence, operational integrity, industry experience, and digital presence on an international scale.

View Story Group’s official 2026 IABE International Excellence Award recipient profile.

Story Group has established a distinguished reputation in strategic communications for high-stakes moments, with expertise spanning crisis communications, public relations, executive communications, reputation management, public affairs, strategic visibility, premium video production, litigation and regulatory communications, and major corporate launches and transitions.

The firm’s positioning is direct: Protect enterprise value. Shape the narrative.

Visit Story Group to learn more about its strategic communications capabilities and work with organizations operating in some of the most consequential environments in business and public life.

Story Group Recognized at IABE’s Highest International Level

The 2026 IABE International Excellence Award places Story Group at the highest recognition level within the International Association for Business Excellence’s award framework.

IABE’s recognition program evaluates organizations across five core Excellence Standards:

• Digital Presence
• Customer Reputation
• Operational Standing
• Industry Tenure
• Professional Integrity

Story Group met the requirements for the International Excellence distinction during the 2026 evaluation period.

The recognition reflects the firm’s established presence in the strategic communications industry and its ability to deliver sophisticated communications solutions for organizations and leaders facing complex, high-stakes circumstances.

The International Association for Business Excellence describes International Excellence as its highest level of recognition, representing organizations operating at an exceptional global standard.

Learn more about the International Association for Business Excellence.

A Strategic Communications Firm Built for High-Stakes Moments

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Story Group has developed a premium strategic communications model built around senior-level expertise, integrated strategy, creative execution, and measurable outcomes.

According to Story Group, the firm advises Fortune 500 companies, national nonprofits, high-profile individuals, and mission-critical causes.

Its team brings experience across media, corporate leadership, marketing, entertainment, public affairs, and strategic communications.

Story Group operates as a remote-first organization with senior professionals serving clients across major markets and time zones.

The firm’s philosophy is that consequential organizations need strategic partners rather than conventional vendors. That philosophy brings strategy, creativity, and execution together around the issues that matter most to an organization’s reputation and enterprise value.

Story Group’s capabilities include crisis communications, public relations, public affairs, executive communications, reputation management, strategic visibility, premium video production, brand development, media placement, and communications surrounding litigation, regulatory exposure, launches, transitions, and other high-stakes situations.

Crisis Communications and Reputation Protection

Story Group’s crisis communications practice is designed for organizations that need experienced strategic counsel when circumstances move quickly.

The firm’s crisis response capabilities include immediate crisis response, situation assessment, risk mapping, holding statements, real-time messaging, media inquiry management, spokesperson preparation, internal communications, and employee messaging.

Story Group states that its active crisis response operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with a 15-minute response SLA.

The firm has positioned crisis communications as a discipline that goes far beyond responding to reporters. Its approach encompasses the strategic decisions that can influence an organization’s reputation, stakeholders, employees, customers, investors, and long-term enterprise value.

That expertise is complemented by Story Group’s reputation recovery capabilities, which address organizations seeking to rebuild trust, reshape narratives, strengthen digital reputation, re-engage stakeholders, and establish a new chapter following a major reputational event.

Executive Communications and Reputation

Story Group also specializes in communications for CEOs, founders, C-suite leaders, and other high-profile executives.

Its executive communications work includes thought leadership development, media training, personal brand strategy, executive communications, reputation defense, board and investor communications, media management, and proactive narrative development.

The firm’s work recognizes the growing connection between executive reputation and organizational reputation.

For highly visible leaders, communications can influence relationships with employees, customers, investors, boards, journalists, partners, and other stakeholders.

Story Group brings senior-level communications strategy to those environments, helping executives build authority proactively while preparing for moments of scrutiny when they arise.

Strategic Visibility and National Media

Story Group’s work also includes strategic visibility and media positioning.

The firm works with executives, founders, enterprise brands, authors, thought leaders, nonprofits, and organizations seeking greater recognition and authority.

Its capabilities include national media booking strategy, thought leadership, op-ed development and placement, book tour strategy, speaking engagement strategy, podcast and digital media opportunities, executive highlight reels, and recognition submissions.

The firm’s broader public relations capabilities include media relations, press releases, interview preparation, thought leadership, and national media booking.

Story Group’s website identifies media exposure across prominent U.S. and international outlets and positions the firm as a strategic partner for organizations seeking meaningful visibility rather than publicity for its own sake.

Strategic Communications With Measurable Business Outcomes

Story Group’s public portfolio demonstrates the breadth of situations in which the firm applies its strategic communications expertise.

Its published work includes communications campaigns involving healthcare organizations, Fortune 500 companies, technology companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, manufacturers, energy organizations, professional services firms, private equity, defense technology, and high-profile individuals.

Examples published by Story Group include a federal policy and regulatory campaign associated with $12 billion in protected revenue and three bills passed; a cybersecurity SaaS launch generating 22 million impressions and an $18 million pipeline; a regional bank regulatory investigation associated with 97.2% customer retention; and a healthcare market-entry campaign reporting 22% first-year market share.

The firm’s case studies also highlight executive positioning, reputation recovery, national visibility, thought leadership, litigation communications, corporate transitions, and major launches.

Explore Story Group’s published work and case studies.

These examples demonstrate the firm’s broader philosophy: strategic communications should ultimately contribute to meaningful organizational outcomes.

A Senior-Only Approach

Story Group’s operating model is another defining feature of the firm.

The company describes itself as a senior-only strategic communications firm, emphasizing experienced professionals directly involved in high-value client relationships.

The firm reports that it was founded in 2011 and maintains its headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia, while operating remotely across multiple major markets.

Story Group also reports an average employee tenure of eight years and an 88% annual employee retention rate, reflecting an emphasis on continuity and long-term relationships.

Its leadership includes Founder and CEO Aaron Evans, who brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic messaging, crisis communications, and reputation management; Chief Operating Officer Brittnie Furuvald, whose background includes enterprise marketing experience with Fox Racing, Lids, and major retail brands; and Vice President Vincent Catalano, who oversees senior client relationships, strategic partnerships, and operational execution.

The result is a communications firm structured around experienced professionals and long-term strategic relationships.

Story Group’s Charlottesville Roots and Global Reach

Story Group’s headquarters are in Charlottesville, Virginia, but the firm’s reach extends well beyond its home market.

The company serves organizations across the United States and internationally, operating a remote-first model designed to support clients across multiple markets and time zones.

Its client profile includes Fortune 500 companies, national nonprofits, high-profile individuals, enterprise brands, executives, public figures, regulated industries, and mission-driven organizations.

That combination of Charlottesville roots and international reach is central to the firm’s identity.

Story Group represents a modern strategic communications organization capable of operating wherever high-stakes communications require senior expertise.

International Excellence for a Globally Oriented Firm

The 2026 IABE International Excellence Award is particularly meaningful because of the global scope of Story Group’s work.

Strategic communications today operates across borders.

A corporate announcement can reach international media within minutes. An executive reputation issue can move across markets instantly. A regulatory event can attract global attention. A product launch can require coordinated communications across multiple regions.

Story Group’s capabilities are designed for precisely this environment.

The firm brings together strategy, public relations, media relations, crisis response, executive communications, reputation management, public affairs, video production, and strategic visibility under one integrated communications model.

The International Excellence designation recognizes that level of professional capability at IABE’s highest recognition tier.

It is an acknowledgment of Story Group as an organization operating at an exceptional global standard within its field.

Story Group Earns a Prestigious 2026 Recognition

The International Association for Business Excellence congratulates Story Group on earning the 2026 IABE International Excellence Award.

The award recognizes a Charlottesville-based firm that has developed an international-caliber strategic communications platform serving organizations and leaders at some of the highest levels of business, media, public affairs, and public life.

Story Group’s expertise in high-stakes communications, crisis response, executive reputation, public relations, strategic visibility, premium video production, and reputation recovery reflects a sophisticated approach to protecting and strengthening organizational reputation.

The firm has built its reputation around situations where communications matter most.

Where enterprise value is at stake.

Where leadership reputation matters.

Where public perception can influence business outcomes.

Where timing matters.

Where strategy matters.

Where execution matters.

And where the quality of communications can have consequences far beyond a single news cycle.

The 2026 IABE International Excellence Award recognizes Story Group at the highest level of the International Association for Business Excellence’s recognition program and places the firm among organizations recognized for exceptional standards on a worldwide scale.

About Story Group

Story Group is a Charlottesville, Virginia-based strategic communications firm specializing in high-stakes communications for enterprise brands, executives, public figures, regulated industries, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations.

Founded in 2011, Story Group provides crisis communications, public relations, public affairs, executive communications, reputation management, strategic visibility, premium video production, brand development, media placement, and communications strategy for major corporate events and sensitive situations.

Contact Story Group for a confidential conversation.

About the International Association for Business Excellence

The International Association for Business Excellence is a global business recognition organization evaluating organizations across five core Excellence Standards: Digital Presence, Customer Reputation, Operational Standing, Industry Tenure, and Professional Integrity.

Its recognition program includes City, Regional, National, and International levels, with International Excellence representing the highest level of recognition issued by the organization.

The International Association for Business Excellence recognizes organizations across industries and countries that demonstrate exceptional standards of business excellence.

Media Contact:
International Association for Business Excellence
2233 Dell Range Blvd., Suite 303
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009
United States
support@internationalbusinessexcellence.com

Award: 2026 IABE International Excellence Award
Recipient: Story Group
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Industry: Public Relations / Video Production
Recognition Level: International Excellence

Media Assets

Official award recognition and recipient information are available through Story Group’s IABE recipient profile.

Story Group — 2026 IABE International Excellence Award Winner

Media Contact

Organization: International Association for Business Excellence LLC

Contact Person: Charles McDonald

Website: https://internationalbusinessexcellence.com

Email: Send Email

Address: 2233 Dell Range Blvd Suite 303 1015 Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009

City: Cheyenne

State: Wyoming

Country: United States

Release id: 49196

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