welcome to vagus pr
Beyond Headlines. Into Hearts.
Our Story
Vagus is a national, award-winning boutique PR agency based in Chicago and Northeast Florida. Our first location opened in Chicago in 2004, and our second launched in Northeast Florida in 2021. Since then, Vagus has remained a trusted PR partner for a national roster of hospitality veterans, chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, wellness innovators, tech leaders, and real estate developers, with work spanning Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin.
What’s With The Name?
No, it’s not that place in Nevada (they spell it differently), but it is pronounced the same. One of the main, and arguably, most important nerves in your body is called the vagus. It is what connects your head with your heart. And that we believe is what the most effective pieces of communication accomplish. At Vagus PR, we blend strategy and storytelling to create campaigns that inspire connection and deliver measurable impact.
Leadership
Beth Strautz
President & Founder
National Brand Expertise
A Chicago native, Beth (Brophy) Strautz is the President and Founder of Vagus, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience building brands and driving revenue for some of the world’s most recognized companies—including Hyatt Hotels, Marriott International, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, and Darden—she brings the expertise to help brands grow in any market.
Career Highlights
Before founding Vagus in 2004, Beth served as an Account Director at Point B Communications, leading integrated marketing strategies for clients such as Gemstone Resorts, Sofitel, and Vail Resorts. She directed strategy, content development, and creative execution across fully integrated campaigns.
Prior, she was Marketing and PR Manager for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, overseeing PR strategies and promotional programs for acclaimed restaurants including Maggiano’s, Mon Ami Gabi, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!, Shaw’s, Joe’s Seafood, and Wildfire.
Earlier in her career, Beth worked at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, managing marketing and PR for more than 100 hotels and resorts across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean—promoting hotel openings, acquisitions, and company-wide campaigns. She also spent time with the Chicago Office of Tourism, supporting visiting journalists, collaborating with foreign consulates, and promoting Chicago as a global destination.
Community Leadership
Now based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, Beth has called Northeast Florida home for more than five years. She continues to lead a talented team serving clients throughout Chicagoland, Florida, and beyond.
Ready to start a project?
From Vision to Headlines
Partner with us to transform ideas into stories worth sharing.