Hello there, Chicago-based brands!
When it comes to finding the perfect advertising partner to help you put your brand on the map, then you find yourselves in a great position. Chicago isn’t just known for its skyline and deep-dish pizza, after all; it’s also a hub of creativity in the ad industry and boasts some of the oldest and most influential advertising agencies in the country!
But with so many great choices out there how can your Chicago brand hope to narrow down your selection to the ad agency that works best for you?
Well, you’re in luck, Windy City, because today’s blog is just what you need! We’ve rounded up the top advertising agencies in the Chicago area so you can dive into what sets them apart and find the perfect fit for you!
Are you ready to find your advertising match? Let’s dive in!
How Were These Top Chicago Ad Agencies Chosen?
In case you’re wondering how we put this list together, we’re happy to tell you!
Not just any agency made the cut; no, we took a few key factors into consideration to make sure that we were only presenting the best that Chicago has to offer.
To create our list, we looked at:
- Time in Business — Agencies with a proven track record of success in the advertising industry which demonstrates stability and experience.
- Online Reputation — Positive reviews, client testimonials, and high ratings across different platforms like Clutch or Google Reviews so that we know these agencies are delivering excellent results and client satisfaction.
- Industries Served — We looked for agencies that have successfully worked across a wide range of different industries, from healthcare to fashion, so we knew they’d be up to taking on your brand.
The Best Advertising Agencies in Chicago
So, what are the best advertising agencies in Chicago?
Keep reading for an alphabetized, handpicked list of our 20 favorites! Take a peek at what they offer and the price for their services and find the one that works best for your brand, your budget, and your marketing and advertising goals!
1. 50,000feet Inc.
Founded: 2001
50,000 feet is pretty high up there and that makes perfect sense because 50K wants to help your brand soar!
50,000feet is a creative advertising agency that uses a combination of strategy and creativity to help create and deliver the messaging you need to move the market and reach new heights.
They offer services in advertising, brand strategy, contention creation, and more to help your brand make an impact and reach your audience!
Pricing: Reach out to 50,000feet Inc. for custom pricing for the services you need.
2. AbelsonTaylor Group
Founded: 1981
If your brand operates in the health and wellness industry, you’ll be pleased to know that AbelsonTaylor Group is the “world’s largest independent full-service health and wellness ad agency.”
For over forty years, AbelsonTaylor has been “delivering a return on imagination” for healthcare brands looking to boost their ROI and drive brand interaction. With services in advertising, digital strategy, market research, content creation, and media planning & buying, look to AbelsonTaylor for everything your health and wellness brand needs to succeed!
Pricing: Reach out to AbelsonTaylor for a custom quote!
3. Ansira
Founded: 1919
It’s harder than ever these days to capture your audience’s attention, but Ansira believes it has the design and advertising strategies that can make it possible!
Ansira is an advertising service headquartered in St. Louis that has been in operation over 100 years, with additional offices located in Chicago, Dallas, Seattle, London, and more! Billing themselves as a “growth platform,” Ansira has the experts you need to help you connect with your customers, encourage brand loyalty, and make your mark.
And with services like marketing intelligence, advertising, local marketing, and more, they have all the strategies you need to help you crush your marketing goals.
Pricing: Pricing averages around $75,000 per project but everyone’s advertising needs are different. Contact Ansira for a more personalized quote for the services you need.
4. Bader Rutter
Founded: 1974
With so much noise in so many different channels, Bader Rutter knows that it can be difficult to really catch what your customers are saying.
But they can certainly help you do it! Bader Rutter is a B2B advertising agency with a heritage in agriculture that has migrated to a variety of different industries. Offering services like advertising, digital solutions, public relations, research, branding, social media and more, they have all you need to help you be “B2Braver, B2Bolder, and B2Better!”
Pricing: Reach out to Bader Rutter for a custom quote for the advertising services you need.
5. Bandwidth Marketing
Founded: 2005
Looking for some “big brains in a bite-sized boutique?”
If that’s your style, then Bandwidth Marketing Group could be the advertising and creative consultancy you’re looking for to custom solve your best brand and business solutions.
And with plenty of services, including branding, advertising, web design, content marketing, digital strategy, and direct marketing, Bandwidth Marketing is a great choice for startups, Fortune 500 companies, and everyone in between!
Pricing: Reach out to Bandwidth Marketing to get a personalized quote for the services you need.
"They over performed for us as a nonprofit on a limited budget. We were thrilled with the outcome."
6. Clique Studios
Founded: 2008
If it’s time your advertising efforts got a little more creative, then Clique Studios may be the agency you’re looking for to get it done.
Clique Studios is a “digital transformation company with a creative focus” and an award-winning team of strategists and designers that use an interdisciplinary approach to help your brand get the results you want. They offer services in digital strategy, user experience design, software development, digital marketing, design, and SEO to get you everything you need under one roof.
Pricing: Pricing at Clique Studios starts around $10,000 per project. But every brand has different needs. Contact Clique Studios to get a more customized quote for services.
"Their culture and response demonstrated a genuine commitment to me as a customer and project partner."
7. Cramer-Krasselt
Founded: 1898
With a mission to “make friends, not ads,” it’s no surprise that Cramer-Krasselt is one of the largest independent ad agencies in the country.
Founded over 120 years ago, Cramer-Krasselt is also one of the oldest advertising agencies in the US and has built a solid reputation over the decades by providing brands with top-notch advertising, public relations, brand planning, digital, media buying & planning, social media marketing, and more.
They’ve helped big name brands get the marketing results they’re looking for and, odds are, with their rich history, they can help your brand too!
Pricing: Contact Cramer-Krasselt for a personalized quote for the services you need.
8. Cubicle Ninjas
Founded: 2008
Located in Glen Ellyn, just a quick drive west from the Greater Chicago Area, Cubicle Ninjas is a “team of ninjas to save the world from bad design.”
They’re a creative design agency that specializes in creating one-of-a-kind experiences through design and tech to give your brand the assets it needs to stand out in a crowd and get the attention it deserves.
With services in design, brand consultation, branding, web & app development, immersive reality experiences, and video production, Cubicle Ninjas have what it takes to elevate your brand!
Pricing: Most projects average around the $5,000 mark. Contact Cubicle Ninjas to get a personalized quote for what your brand needs!
9. Designity
Founded: 2015
Designity isn’t an ad agency so much as it is a Creative as a Service platform but, make no mistake, they’ve got all of the marketing and advertising services you could need!
Boasting the top 3% of all of the applicants that apply each year, Designity’s creative community is made up of the best of the best in fields like digital marketing, SEO, graphic design, motion graphics, web design and development, mobile app design and development, copywriting, social media management and more.
Each Designity account also provides you with a dedicated Creative Director to manage your account, source a team of rotating talent to make sure your projects have the right experts, and quality check all of your deliverables. Do what you do best and let Designity handle all of your advertising and design work in record time!
Pricing: No retainers, no long-term contracts, no hidden fees. Designity has three tiered pricing structures starting at $3,495/month so that you only pay for what you need. All plans provide you with a creative team, Creative Director, and unlimited project requests and revisions.
“Partnering with Designity has taken our creative process to the next level! Right from the start, their team has been reliable and incredibly communicative, keeping us informed at every stage. We fully trust them with our projects, and they never fail to surpass our expectations.”
10. Eicoff
Founded: 1956
If your brand could use some multi-screen television and digital solutions to get your name out there, then Eicoff could be the partner you need.
With over 50 years of experience in driving marketing success, Eicoff is a full-service performance advertising agency that’s ready to design the solutions you need to get the results you want, including advertising, audio production, branding, media planning & buying, and video production.
Pricing: Pricing at Eicoff starts around $10,000 but we recommend getting in touch with their team to get a custom quote for the services you’re looking for.
11. FCB Chicago
Founded: 1873
FCB Chicago is one of the oldest ad agencies, with a 145-year-old history, and a proven track record of helping brands engage consumers and meet their marketing and advertising goals!
Services they provide include branding, digital marketing, content creation, and social media strategies, all tailored to fit your specific needs. So, if you’re looking for an innovative approach backed by a rich history of success, FCB Chicago could be the advertising partner for you!
Pricing: Reach out to FCB Chicago for a custom quote for the services you need.
12. HANGAR12
Founded: 2000
Is your consumer brand in need of a consumer-first digital marketing and ad agency to boost your visibility and help you make your mark?
HANGAR12 could be the ad agency for you. They specialize in marketing consumer brands just like yours through a variety of different services, like digital marketing and advertising, consumer promotions, social media and shopper marketing, branding, and market research, making them a one-stop shop for all your advertising needs.
Pricing: Pricing at HANGAR12 averages around the $10,000 mark, but everyone’s advertising needs are different. Reach out to HANGAR12 for a more personalized quote for the services you’re looking for.
“They not only have the expertise, but they’re also very thorough and patient with us.”
13. Harp Advertising + Interactive
Founded: 1993
Harp Advertising + Interactive is a “bootstrap-built, woman-owned, award-winning, full-service digital marketing agency” that has been proudly serving the Chicago area for 30+ years.
They specialize in a strategic evolution of brands and can help you out with a variety of different services including creative, social media, web design, conversion optimization, digital marketing strategy, PPC, and SEO, making them an ideal choice for all of the advertising support your brand needs.
Pricing: Averages around $10,000. Reach out to Harp Advertising for a more customized quote.
14. Havas Chicago
Founded: 1942
Havas Chicago is on a “relentless quest to be Chicago’s most creative company by making a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people.”
What that means for you is that Havas Chicago is ready to help your brand be more fearless, fast, smart, and focused. And with a wide range of services including advertising, branding, creative, public relations, mobile app marketing, product design, and more, Havas has the talent and passion you need to help you become a meaningful brand and reach your marketing goals.
Pricing: Contact Havas Chicago to get a custom quote for the services your next campaign needs.
15. Huge Inc.
Founded: 1999
Huge is a global design and innovation company headquartered in Brooklyn and with additional offices in not just Chicago, but LA, Atlanta, Toronto, Columbia, London, and Singapore too!
They specialize in helping brands all over the world to become “trusted parts of people’s lives by creating products, services, and brands that people love.”
So, if your brand could use some assistance with UI/UX, branding, social media marketing, advertising, web design, SEO, business strategy, and more, then Huge has the experts and resources to help you get it done!
Pricing: Depends largely on the advertising services you need. Reach out to Huge to get a personalized quote for what you’re looking for.
16. Iris Worldwide
Founded:1999
Another global agency, Iris bills themselves as “The Participation Agency.”
Headquartered in London and with 13 additional offices worldwide, they “use the power of Participation to help brands grow further, faster.”
And if your brand could use a boost to start growing further and faster, they can help you too. Offering services in CRM, content marketing, B2B marketing, tech, social media, pricing consultancy, advertising, and more, Iris has all the experts you need to bring your campaigns to life.
Pricing: Reach out to Iris’s Chicago office to get a customized quote for the services you need.
17. Leo Burnett Chicago
Founded: 1935
Leo Burnett is a communications agency powered by its “HumanKind operations system, with the belief that creativity, data, and technology work together to transform human behavior and drive prosperity for clients.”
And with more than 85 offices and services in advertising, branding, marketing strategy, and branding, Leo Burnett has all the resources you need to help you reach your audience and drive prosperity for your brand.
Pricing: Reach out to the Leo Burnett Chicago team to get a personalized quote for what your brand needs to succeed.
18. Merkle
Founded: 1971
If your brand is looking to “create ideas that are humanly relevant,” then Merkle could be the ad agency you need.
As the “world’s first full-service global creative B2B powerhouse,” their mission is to put people at the heart of your approach to get marketing campaigns that resonate with your audience and get you results.
They have 9 locations around the United States and can provide you with all the services you need, including CRM marketing, analytics, performance media, customer strategy, PPC, B2B marketing, and more.
Pricing: Average pricing for Merkle is around $50,000 for comprehensive marketing services. But everyone’s needs are different. Reach out to Merkle’s sales team for a more personalized quote that fits your needs.
19. Ogilvy
Founded: 1948
With many locations all around the world, Ogilvy has been helping brands make an impact through “iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas” for the past 75 years.
If you want to make your brand matter, then Ogilvy might be the partner for you. They offer a wide variety of services, including advertising, branding, social media marketing, event management, public relations, and more to help you boost your visibility and be the brand you want to be!
Pricing: Reach out to Ogilvy’s Chicago office to talk to their sales team and get a custom quote for the services you need.
20. Part Three
Founded: 1994
Looking for a partner to help you optimize your marketing, digital, advertising, and website needs?
Part Three might just be the advertising solution you’re looking for! Part Three is an award-winning full-service marketing and advertising agency that specializes in digital advertising, web development, social media, and helping you find new customers to grow your business. They also have a design department as well, making them a one-stop shop for your marketing needs.
Pricing: Reach out to Part Three for custom pricing for the services you need.
21. Pivot Design, Inc.
Founded: 1992
Ready to make your branding and marketing amazing?
Pivot Design is an advertising agency that has been “creating branding and marketing experiences that inspire people, build loyalty, and deliver value,” for over 40 years and they want to do the same for your business!
With additional offices in Boston and San Francisco, Pivot Design’s work covers the full spectrum of branding and marketing, including graphic design, print design, marketing strategy, market research, video and animation, even design, and more — everything you need to cover your next campaign!
Pricing: Pivot Design’s average pricing is around $10,000 but everyone’s needs are different. Reach out to their sales team to get a better idea of what their services will cost.
"Pivot is a rare breed — a turnkey business that can do anything."
22. Plan B
Founded: 2000
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional marketing and advertising agencies, then Plan B wants you to know that they are ready to be your “plan B!”
Plan B is a full-service advertising agency that goes “beyond advertising” to push boundaries and help your brand connect with your audience and make a positive change in their lives! They have a wide variety of services to help you meet your goals including branding, advertising, social marketing, virtual events, content marketing, video production, design and more, making them an ideal choice for a brand looking to get all their advertising needs met under one roof!
Pricing: Reach out to Plan B to get a custom quote for the services you’re looking for.
23. Popskull
Founded: 2009
It’s hard to stand out, isn’t it? And if your brand is looking for a way to break through the noise and get the attention it deserves, then perhaps Popskull is the agency to help you get it done.
With “advertising rooted in the Common Ground,” Popskull has the experts who can help you develop the kind of strategic campaigns and relevant content you need to reach your audience, communicate your value, and make your mark.
They offer services in advertising, social media marketing, PPC, branding, print and video, SEM marketing, web design and more to help you get your next campaign off the ground and start crushing your marketing goals!
Pricing: Average pricing for Popskull services is around $5,000 but reach out to their sales team to get a more personalized quote!
“They’re not just an advertising agency, but a partner that is helping us grow our brand.”
24. The Mx Group
Founded: 1988
Located just southeast of Chicago in Burr Ridge, The Mx Group is a digital and demand generation agency “that empowers companies with the competitive edge of modern B2B marketing.”
Whether your brand needs business consulting, email marketing, mobile app development, web design, or B2B sales, marketing, demand generation, and more, The Mx Group has everything you need to expand your reach and grow your business.
Pricing: Pricing starts around $5,000 but reach out to The Mx Group for a more personalized quote for what you need.
25. VisualFizz
Founded: 2016
If your B2B brand is looking to drive growth, reach your customers, and achieve measurable results, then VisualFizz might be the advertising partner you’re looking for!
VisualFizz is an advertising agency that specializes in “fueling growth for established B2B brands through brand, marketing, search, and web.” They have a top-notch team of experts on their side and offer services like advertising, brand strategy, eCommerce, PPC, SEO, content marketing, design, and more — everything your B2B brand needs to boost its visibility and make an impact!
Pricing: Average pricing is around $5,000 per project. Contact VisualFizz for a more personalized quote.
"VisualFizz was extremely invested in our company which is unique to find from agencies."
26. VSA Partners
Founded: 1982
VSA Partners is a strategic and creative ad agency that “designs for a better human experience.”
They use a combination of consumer insight, data, and design to help brands in both Chicago and New York to “activate meaningful, motivating, and measurable experiences in an increasingly noisy world.”
Offering services like advertising, branding, data science, marketing strategy, web design, and more, they have the experts your brand needs to reach your audience and make maximum impact.
Pricing: Average pricing for VSA Partners is around $25,000. Reach out to their sales team to get a more personalized quote for what you need.
"We loved their strategy team and their ability to understand our business."
<div class="c-blog_comp-cta cc-component-1"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left"><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-wrap"><img src="https://global-uploads.webflow.com/61cdf3c5e0b8155f19e0105b/6369722e59155470b6840033_Potential-clients.png" loading="lazy" alt="" class="c-blog_comp-cta-left-img"></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-cta-right"><div class="c-blog_comp-content"><div class="c-text-wrapper cc-mb-32"><div class="c-title-4 cc-bold"><strong>Want to save money without sacrificing the quality?</strong></div></div><div class="c-text-wrapper"><div class="c-text-2">Say goodbye to traditional, expensive agencies and unreliable marketplaces. Say hello to Designity.<br></div></div></div><div class="c-blog_comp-wrapper"><a href="/pricing" target="_blank" class="c-button cc-primary cc-inverted w-button"><strong>Get Your 2-Week Trial</strong></a></div></div></div>
Are You Ready to Find the Right Advertising Agency for You?
We hope our hand-picked list of Chicago’s finest advertising agencies is a helpful starting point as you begin your search for the advertising partner that’s right for you.
But before you go, we have one last recommendation for you.
If you’re looking for a full-service advertising agency, one that checks all of your boxes, offers a huge variety of marketing,design, and creative services, provides top-notch project management, and won’t eat up all of your budget, then perhaps you’ve already found it.
Designity, while not a traditional advertising agency, is an innovative Creative as a Service platform that is made up of the top 3% of all of the talented creatives who apply each year, meaning our creative community is the best of the best in fields like digital marketing, graphic design, copywriting, motion graphics, social media, SEO, content strategy, and more.
And with your Creative Director leading your account, sourcing the perfect talent for each project, and making sure you have the assets and support you need, right when you need it, you can get it all done without adding long hours to your day or spreading yourself too thin.
Best of all, Designity is 100% remote, meaning that its services are available for organizations in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and anywhere you call home, making location barriers a thing of the past.
Take a look at our 100+ design and marketing services and check out our community portfolio to see how Designity has been the perfect partner for brands just like yours. If our style vibes with yours, then go ahead and book your demo call.
We’ll get you started with your two-week, no-obligation trial so you can see firsthand why Designity is the perfect advertising partner for your brand.
Are you ready to level up your next advertising campaign?