Top 15 Advertising & Marketing Companies
What are some of the best advertising and marketing agencies?
Consumers prefer advertisements from brands they know and trust, according to a recent survey. Choose the best advertising resource for your company to ensure your brand is represented accurately and positively.
To get started, compare some of the best advertising agencies from around the world. Get a taste for what clients have to say about the agency, learn which industries each agency serves, and make a confident hiring decision.
1. Citizen Group
True to its name, Citizen Group is an advertising agency with a pro-social, citizen-based approach. Founded in 2006, Citizen Group is headquartered in San Francisco, CA and its small team of 15 employees offers social media marketing, design, and branding.
Notable Project
Citizen Group played a significant role in figuring out how to use the sports industry to support sustainability. They worked with a startup sustainability organization to conceptualize the connection between sports and the environment and produced strategic plans and advertising materials, such as videos and slide decks, to push the initiative forward.
“They’re extremely responsible and very timely. You can always count on them to follow through in a reliable way. They imbue every project with stature, confidence, and intelligence. They’re a top-shelf organization.” — Former Senior Scientist, Sustainability Organization
Former Clients: Amnesty International, Bloomberg Philanthropies, United Nations, World Wildlife Fund, Rock the Vote
Awards: 2011 Web Marketing Association Outstanding Achievement Award
2. DEKSIA
DEKSIA is a branding agency that’s been serving small business to enterprise clients for over a decade. Based in Grand Rapids, MI, the team of 20+ employees offers branding, web design, and marketing strategy.
Notable Project
For more than four years, DEKSIA partnered with a home restoration company to improve its brand image and create marketing materials such as business cards, a website, shirts/hats, and printouts. The home restoration company gets business through direct referrals, and DEKSIA geared its marketing materials to this approach.
“Right from our first meeting, Deksia told me what I needed done, and how much to spend. I ended that meeting in total agreement with them. Deksia has a good understanding of what it takes to grow a business.” — Owner, Home Restoration Company
Former Clients: BP, Uber, Visa, Samsung, Twitter
Awards: Creativity International Awards, HOW International Design Awards, and recognition from LogoLounge
3. Duncan Channon
Duncan Channon is an advertising and media company with creative expertise in branding, design, print, video, and digital marketing. They also provide business strategy and media planning and buying. Founded in 1990, the San Francisco, CA-based team is made up of nearly 100 employees.
Notable Project
A public service corporation hired Duncan Channon to help with a branding project. Duncan Channon revamped the client’s website and point of sales materials and focused their social media strategy.
“The team has a genuine passion for our brand. The level of engagement has been outstanding. …They’ve helped shape how we will build our business. It is a true partnership.” — VP of Marketing, Hydration Company
Former Clients: Sephora, Diamond of California, Kettle Brand Chips, Stubhub, DriveTime
Awards: 2016 & 2017 AdAge Small Agency of the Year; CLIO Image Award; Rebrand Global Best of Show; San Francisco Addys Best in Show; sfBIG: Campaign of the Year; EMA: Social Media Leader Award
4. Interplanetary
Based in New York City, Interplanetary is a multifaceted advertising agency, with experience creating digital and direct marketing campaigns. Since 2012, the team has been providing advertising, branding and direct marketing services to companies in the nonprofit, financial services, and healthcare industries.
Notable Project
A healthcare organization wanted to elevate its brand and get national attention, so they hired Interplanetary. Interplanetary created a media plan that incorporated several advertising mediums such as TV, print, digital, and radio. The client said the advertising strategy directly contributed to its success.
“They are senior enough that they understand the large business objective we have, but small and nimble enough actually to get in there and do the work.” — Chief Marketing Officer, Healthcare Organization
Former Clients: PBS, E*trade, Astoria Bank, Ameritrade, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Awards: MM&M Gold Award: Best Marketer
5. GKV
Founded in Baltimore, MD in 1981, GKV is an advertising agency that offers a variety of services: digital strategy, advertising, social media marketing, PR, and branding. The team of more than 200 employees mostly works with mid-market businesses across several industries — consumer products, healthcare, and telecommunications.
Notable Project
GKV has an ongoing project with a food production company. The partnership began with a focus on traditional media. GKV created marketing materials for print and TV. Now, GKV is helping the client build its social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.
“They have a good strategic thinking team. They take the strategy, look at it, and put it through their process, and they’re cautious on how they would make any changes.” — Operations Coordinator, Food Production Company
Former Clients: Sprint, McCormick, Old Bay, Center for Disease Control, Blue Shield of California
Awards: 2016 Silver and Gold Addy Awards; NY Festivals Competition: Gold Global Award — NY Festivals Competition
6. KHJ Brand Activation
KHJ is a Boston-based full-service brand strategy and activation firm with experience in the healthcare and real estate industries. Founded in 1986, they offer strategy and planning, creative production, media and activation, and research and analytics.
Notable Project
KHJ has a long-standing relationship with a community savings bank. They have been handling the bank’s media buying and placement, strategy, and creative development for about 20 years. KHJ recently redesigned the bank’s logo and website to refresh its brand image.
“They helped us get to the final point, determining what made the most sense and making sure the project was done within the timeframe. They’re great at managing times and budgets.” — Marketing Manager, Community Savings Bank
Former Clients: John Hancock Tower, Quest Diagnostics, Aspen Dental, Franciscan Children’s
Awards: Won two Lamplighter Awards in 2016
7. RXM Creative
RXM Creative was started in 2013 in New York City. The small team of fewer than 10 employees specializes in advertising, content marketing, and social media marketing. They pride themselves on their strategy and creativity.
Notable Project
An eye-wear company wanted help with a branding campaign for a new product. The client approached RXM Creative without a strategy. RXM created a social media campaign and tagline for the product, giving it a tangible identity. The client said the campaign had outstanding results.
“The engagement rate was one of the highest relative to our average figures for the brand and social media. …They also worked on a limited edition collection that I wasn’t involved in. That collection sold out in one day, even though the campaign was intended to last for at least 2 weeks.” — Head of Integrated Communications, Eye-Wear Company
Former Clients: Christian Louboutin, Tabasco, Harper’s Bazaar, Lokai, Ray-Ban, Lenscrafters, Sunglass Hut
Awards: 2017 CLIO Award for Lokai
8. Killian Branding
Founded in Chicago in 1987, Killian Branding is an advertising industry veteran. Their expert team offers a multitude of services, including advertising, branding, mobile and app marketing, email marketing, and marketing strategy.
Notable Project
A fast casual restaurant enlisted Killian Branding to develop a corporate identity for them. Killian Branding helped the client pinpoint its consumer base, created marketing materials, and determined relevant touchpoints.
“They’re excellent. Overall, they have a very good approach and bring together all the pieces and present them in an organized manner, even though they’re 10,000 miles away.” — Owner, Fast Food Restaurant
Former Clients: AT&T, McDonalds, Dell, Creighton University, Aldi Foods, Jim Beam Brands
9. Sensis
Sensis is a full-service marketing agency with offices across the US in Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC, Austin, TX, and Atlanta, GA. Founded in 1998, Sensis’ team of 80 offers advertising, mobile and web marketing, branding, public relations, and market research.
Notable Project
One of Sensis’ clients is an energy company that wanted to connect with its community with a bilingual PR campaign. Sensis organized community events, worked with local media, and designed and produced all the advertising material.
“In many ways, I feel that we’re their only client. I know that’s kind of a cliché — the way that they have been able to sometimes just drop everything else, get what we needed done, and bring in any additional partners, if necessary. They’ve really done an outstanding job.” — Communications Manager, Energy Company
Former Clients: City of Los Angeles, Boston College, US Department of Commerce, Metrolink
Awards: 2017 Gold Award: Healthcare Marketing Impact
10. Kiosk
Headquartered in the Bay Area of CA with second and third offices in Liverpool, UK, and Ontario, Canada, Kiosk is a full-service marketing agency. Founded in 2004, they offer data and analytics and performance marketing services, as well as creative work such as design, branding, and video production.
Notable Project
Kiosk provided a full slate of services for a city government that wanted to increase its business and community outreach. They not only performed social media marketing and strategy but also designed and developed the client’s website.
“Kiosk is community-oriented, making us feel as if we’re their only client, even though they’re an international group. It feels as if Kiosk is a part of our staff. The personal attention we’ve received is bar none.” — Communications Manager, City Government
Former Clients: PayPal, L’Oreal, Sonic, City National Bank, University of Texas
11. Bareface
Founded in 2008, Bareface is headquartered in London, with two additional offices in Birmingham, UK and Singapore. Their team of 20 offers web development, social media marketing, email marketing, lead generation, and SEO strategy.
Notable Project
Bareface has an ongoing project with a leasing company. They helped build the client’s company from the ground up — giving them a name, running branding campaigns, designing a website, creating a digital marketing plan, and managing social media profiles.
“Without question, the level of service we get far outweighs how much we pay.” — Managing Director, Leasing Company
Former Clients: Porsche, Subaru, World Wildlife Foundation, Nielsen, Martini
Awards: Gold Award Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts
12. The Brandon Agency
Headquartered in SC, The Brandon Agency is a team of brand strategy experts, with a special focus on advertising, social media marketing, and public relations. Founded in 1959, The Brandon Agency has an extensive national and international presence with additional offices in NC, FL, TN, OH, CO, and Bulgaria.
Notable Project
A resort management company hired The Brandon Agency to assist an in-house social media manager with social media marketing on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. They create videos and write articles for the client every month to ensure there’s enough content to share across the resort’s many social sites. The Brandon Agency also manages TripAdvisor, TripConnect, and Instant Book for the client.
“The Brandon Agency has helped us create as much success as any other bigger city agency has. We have seen significant results in terms of followers and engagement on social media. They do an amazing job.”
Former Clients: Dean Foods, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, CresCom Bank, Green Giant, United Way
Awards: 19 American Advertising Federation Annual Awards in 2018; Golden Tusk Award 2017; SC Biz News Fastest Growing Companies
13. Mistress
Founded in 2009, Mistress is a Santa Monica, CA-based full-service advertising agency with experience in the sports, beverage, and entertainment industries. The team develops brand and content strategies, helps businesses build an audience, and creates content.
Notable Project
An entertainment company wanted to differentiate and increase awareness of its brand for consumers going to see movies. Mistress created an entire brand campaign using both digital and print media.
“We’ve seen when Mistress is involved in our social posts that our metrics are generally better and our engagement rates are higher. … Our revenues will probably be up by 8% to 9% this year. Mistress was certainly a contributor.” — Chief Marketing Officer, Entertainment Company
Former Clients: Oakland Raiders, Coca-Cola, Netflix, AT&T, DirecTV, Trip Advisor, Qdoba
Awards: Won three Shorty Social Good Awards 2017; Latin America Gold Award 2017
14. Rocket10
Despite only recently opening their doors in 2015, Rocket10 already has a global presence with offices in Moscow, Russia, Shanghai, China, and San Francisco, CA. The team of 40 specialize in advertising, mobile app marketing, and media planning and buying.
Notable Project
A music streaming service hired Rocket10 to run its site in Russia. Rocket10 tracks website performance for the site, specifically cost per impression (CPI).
“The traffic they generate is good, an increase, and they are always willing to cooperate with us. Overall, they’re a fine company.” — Marketing Performance Manager, Music Streaming Site
Former Clients: KamaGames, Playrix, AliExpress, Nexon, Kefir Games
15. Bob’s Your Uncle
Founded in 2013 and based in Toronto, Canada, Bob’s Your Uncle is an advertising agency with a team of 20+. They work with mid-market businesses, providing advertising, content marketing, and branding services.
Notable Project
A food company was launching a new product and hired Bob’s Your Uncle to create a marketing campaign that included a TV spot in both English and French. They performed market research for the client to ensure branding activities accurately reflected the target audience.
“We’ve done some in-store sampling. When people came to the booth for a sample, they said they saw the product on TV and they’re interested in trying it. It has definitely piqued the curiosity of the consumer. One consumer asked me if it really tastes as good as it looks.” — Senior Marketing Manager, Food Company
Former Clients: Popeyes, Mike’s Hard Lemonade, Cadbury, Applebees, Quiznos, Doritos
Awards: Creativity Top 5, Digiday Awards, Webby Awards, Interactive Agency Bureau
This article originally appeared on The Manifest, and you can find the full list of advertising and marketing companies here.
