The Next Solutions Group (NSG)

NSG’s mission statement is to advance and protect reputation. Whether managing a crisis, shaping public sentiment, or building brand value, there is a need to anticipate challenges, adapt quickly, and deliver tailored solutions that serve this goal for clients.

“At The Next Solutions Group (NSG), we have hired the best professionals in the industry—experts who have worked with Fortune 100 C-suite executives, government officials, leading national journalists, and U.S. military leadership,” says Raymond F. Kerins, Jr., CEO of NSG. “Our team's collective experience in high-stakes environments ensures that we can protect and advance the reputation of our clients.”

One recent instance in which this expertise was put to the test during a high-profile cybersecurity breach. Late one Saturday evening, NSG received an urgent request for assistance. The team mobilized immediately, engaging with federal agencies such as the FBI and CISA. Ultimately, NSG minimized the impact; supported the client in communicating with investors, board, and employees; prepared messaging in dealing with potential journalist inquires; protected the client’s reputation; and shared a strategic path forward, all while maintaining operational integrity. This response highlights NSG’s ability to act swiftly in critical situations.

What strengthens NSG’s crisis management is its tri-pillar framework, the NSG Reputation Triangle—Business Intelligence, Issues Management, and Communications—which serves as a foundation for navigating challenges and ensuring clients are prepared for both crises and sustained success.
NSG's proactive approach to Business Intelligence, led by former U.S. military intelligence officer and NSA analyst Michael Harley, empowers clients to anticipate crises and respond effectively. NSG’s business intelligence team gathers information from media, social media, and financial markets, empowering clients to make informed decisions during a crisis. Powered by data analytics, this pillar ensures clients are always a step ahead and can adapt to evolving situations.

NSG’s Issues Management offering, managed by former Bloomberg News senior editor and Washington Post reporter Justin Blum, is heavily informed by this intelligence and is equally critical to the NSG strategy. The firm works closely with clients to identify vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and create strategies that mitigate reputational damage. For organizations lacking comprehensive crisis plans, NSG creates or refines strategies that address both foreseeable and unexpected challenges. This proactive approach ensures that clients are always prepared with actionable solutions to navigate any evolving risk.

Last but not least, NSG’s Communications function, led by former ABC News managing editor Dan Childs, is central to the firm’s crisis management approach, emphasizing the importance of clear, confident messaging during a crisis. The company’s communications team, bolstered by the deep experience of two former national-level senior journalists, specializes in executive training, proactive and reactive media engagement, and narrative and message development, empowering clients to engage effectively with journalists, employees, customers, and stakeholders. Whether managing day-to-day messaging or preparing for high-stakes interviews, NSG leverages communication to build trust and safeguard reputation.

Through these three pillars, NSG offers a comprehensive, proactive approach to reputation management—preparing organizations for the unexpected, guiding them through crises, and positioning them for long-term success. Whether engaging with one pillar or all three, clients can expect solutions designed to address specific challenges.

NSG was founded and is led by Kerins, who brings more than three decades of reputation, crisis, and issues management experience, having held executive leadership positions at Bayer, Pfizer, and Merck. Kerins is also a member of the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an advisor to the Congressional Award and the National Press Foundation. NSG’s experience in reputation management, business intelligence, issues management, and communications enables unparalleled expertise and a deep understanding complex reputational challenge.

Whether defusing a cyber threat or preparing organizations for the challenges of tomorrow, NSG redefines what it means to be a trusted partner.