TL;DR — What You WANT to Know
- We have 25 years of launching professional success stories for associations, nonprofits, cooperatives, and advocacy groups
- Headquartered directly across the street from the Missouri State Capitol — at the heart of statewide action
- Gus Wagner has three decades of experience in and around the Missouri State Capitol as a volunteer, Chief of Staff, advocate, communicator, and trainer
- A team of seasoned professionals is who makes up The Rocket Group, each with years of success in marketing, advocacy, digital, and grassroots work
- National, regional, statewide, and local clients across industries from finance to health care to community development to utilities
- Services including advocacy training, media training, public speaking, digital + social strategy, grassroots mobilization, media monitoring, engagement, and communications and more
- A mission-driven focus on positive, effective action for Missouri and America, for both rural and city cousins
How The Rocket Group Helps Associations & Advocacy Leaders Make an Impact
For a quarter century, The Rocket Group has helped associations, nonprofits, advocacy coalitions, and community-focused organizations tell their story, move their audience, and get them to take meaningful action. Born and built in Missouri — and headquartered right across the street from the State Capitol in Jefferson City — our work sits at the intersection of communication, public policy, and community impact to educate, inform, and entertain your members, your influencers, and the community at large.
Gus Wagner started this success story in 2001 as a one-person venture and has grown The Rocket Group into one of Missouri’s most experienced and effective firms for advocacy communication, digital strategy, grassroots engagement, and more. We were at the forefront of websites, social media, and netroots in Missouri and today, alongside our partner brand The Rural Agency, we’re proud to serve organizations working to make life better across Missouri and throughout America.
Rooted in the Capitol. Focused on Real-World Impact.
Few marketing or advocacy firms or individuals can say they’ve spent nearly three decades inside, around, and collaborating around the Missouri Capitol — but Gus Wagner can.
From:
- Volunteering during election seasons to
- Being a political, civic, and organizational leader across this state and country, helping to build historic success stories at every level to
- Serving as Chief of Staff for the Senate Agriculture, Outdoor Resources, and Food Production Committee (heck, he named it that!) to
- Successfully building and enhancing statewide, regional, and national advocacy initiatives to
- Leading communications and grassroots campaigns from the Capitol steps to legislative districts, to our neighbors, and back again.
Gus has built a career grounded in public service, public policy, and public communication. This real-world experience shapes every success story The Rocket Group delivers.When we discuss understanding the legislative process, government, and voter dynamics, or advocacy strategies, it is not theoretical.
It is a lived career of experience and success.
A Team Built to Launch Success
Our strength isn’t only longevity, it is our people.
Every member of The Rocket Group and The Rural Agency team has spent years launching success stories of their own for our clients:
- Social media strategists with proven positive impact
- Designers and digital experts building audience-first communications
- Grassroots constructors who understand communities deeply
- Media engagement pros who know how to navigate every form of media
- Builders who move people to successful action
Together, we’ve supported national clients, regional associations, statewide nonprofits, and local organizations — always bringing the same commitment: practical solutions, clear communication, and results that matter.
What We Provide: Tools That Drive Action
Our full-service support helps organizations educate, mobilize, advocate, and communicate with confidence:
Advocacy Training
Teach your members, volunteers, or stakeholders to advocate effectively with message discipline, confidence, and actionable strategies that drive results.
Public Speaking & Skills Training
Modern marketing, social media, and digital communications presentations tailored to associations, member organizations, and advocacy groups. Let’s empower your Capitol visitors with tactics which work everywhere!
Grassroots Strategy (Digital, Social & Real-World)
From Capitol Days to community outreach to online mobilization, we build engagement that moves people from awareness to action.
Media Training, Monitoring & Engagement
Prepare for interviews, shape narratives, and stay prepared in today’s fast-paced media environment.
Digital, Social & Content Strategy
Social and digital campaigns, print media exposure, creative content, and digital advertising that meet people where they are.
Coalition & Association Communications
Member engagement, email strategy, content development, public education, and everything organizations need to stay visible and connected in this noisy, modern world.
Serving Missouri, the Midwest, and Beyond
We are proud to have worked with:
- National organizations influencing federal policy
- Regional associations coordinating multi-state initiatives
- Statewide nonprofits and coalitions driving advocacy and education
- Local efforts working to build strong and responsive communities
25 Years and The Future is Bright
The Rocket Group continues to expand our services, our partnerships, and our impact. Whether it’s helping associations mobilize their members, supporting nonprofits in telling their story, or guiding advocacy groups through complex communications challenges — we’re committed to being the most trusted partner for you if you want to make Missouri stronger.
If your goal is positive, practical, and effective action — from every corner of the state to the Capitol, we’re here to help launch your next success story.
