We selected the best-performing advertising agencies in Chicago that can help you increase your online sales through creative, comprehensive ad campaigns. Compare them by portfolios, reviews, awards, team size and more to find the right collaborator for your business.
SHIFT is an integrated PR and communications agency specializing in B2B Technology, Healthcare and Consumer. With our Performance Communications approach, we create multichannel PR programs built for outcomes...
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Brianna Greene's Review Sourced from Google
I havent used there services but the receptionist is always pleasant and everyone in the office is very accommodating
We are a boutique, full-service advertising agency targeting English and Spanish speaking consumers with media and analytic specialties in television (linear and OTT/Advanced), print and radio (terrestrial, digital and podcast). We also have full video, print and radio creative service capabilities...
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Performance Media by MUFASA® is an exclusive concierge programmatic media service that delivers Executive level biddable buying intelligence. This service was strategically designed to offer flexible, on-demand and limited commitment programmatic expertise...
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At WGA, our vision extends beyond mere marketing campaigns; we aim to cultivate brands that forge deep connections and thrive alongside their clientele for years to come. Founded by Ryan Hernandez, a seasoned advertising strategist, marketing designer, and occasional weekend copywriter, along with Nazim...
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SGK is a world-renowned provider of packaging and brand experience solutions. As an industry leader, we work to deliver value-added experiences with each interaction...
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thunder::tech is the leading, full-service marketing agency for midsize brands, known for delivering remarkable growth by blending creativity and technology...
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Aaron Newby's Review Sourced from Google
t::t has been a solid partner for us as we work to transform our digital presence. They have provided valuable strategic insights and their communication has been consistently prompt. I'd like to particularly call out James, Joe, and Xavier for their excellent work during our engagements. Thanks t::t team for being an excellent partner!
James Fashing's Review Sourced from Google
We've worked with Thunder::tech to replace our cooperative's website. They have delivered as promised and more than expected in a professional and timely manner. Their team members are creative, technical and professional experts. We're looking forward to working on a second phase of the project with them starting soon. T::T is big enough a agency that they have multiple experts on the team with overlapping knowledge to get the job done, but not such a huge company where one might get lost as a client. As a web and digital media pro with 20+ years of experience, I recommend Thunder::tech. - JF
Swetha Siripurapu's Review Sourced from Google
The most horrible people! They are very reckless, don’t show up to appointments. Not once, not twice but thrice. You call to ask they dodge your calls.Don’t expect call backs. I went to Derek and texted him several times about this and asked to call. Nothing! Figured a month would be long enough. Don’t waste your time on these people
Geletka+ is an full-service, independent, creative-first agency based in Chicago. We help brands move faster and make a bigger impact by cutting unnecessary process and building integrated teams around the work that matters most...
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NOVUS is an independent media agency that architects growth with purpose where every media decision is intentional, measurable, and built for impact...
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At Popskull, we believe that in today's constant white noise of advertisements and messages, it can be hard for brands to stand out. That is why our team strives to create clear strategies and campaigns capable of cutting through all the chaos...
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Full-service. Independently owned. WBE-certified. We accelerate growth for our clients' brands and businesses by designing and executing smart, data-driven creative campaigns, marketing strategies, and consumer experiences that will help you achieve and surpass your business growth goals faster...
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Digital Marketing Review from Rebecca Zeni
I had a great experience working with Kim at Motion PR. I am a small business so she was able to tailor her expertise to my needs. I would highly recommend her.
Digital Marketing Review from Paul Litardo
Motion PR has a great staff and a great leader in Kim Eberl. My experience the past several months have been great. I recommend Motion PR to everyone.
Digital Marketing Review from Rita Dragonette
I've had the pleasure of working with Motion as both colleague and client. As a colleague I was referred to them for a number of my CEO clients. The high-level coverage they were able to secure was very instrumental in significantly raising the profile of those clients and helping them attract the opportunities they were after. As a client, Motion was able to quickly and innovatively operationalize a successful social giving program to fund a scholarship I started as part of the launch for my new novel. The response was terrific for book awareness and quickly became fully funded. The agency is highly responsive, the staff skilled and engaging. Terrific client service.
Based in New York City, THE CHARLES was founded by sibling duo, Aaron Edwards and Samantha Edwards in 2011. Driven by their respective passion for culture, creativity, strategy, finance and technology, they sought to create a digital-first agency that would do things differently...
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Top advertising agencies in Chicago bring outside expertise and fresh perspectives to enhance brand visibility and customer engagement. They develop strategic campaigns based on deep market insights and consumer behavior, helping companies connect more effectively with their target audience. Through data-driven strategies and creative execution, these agencies help businesses drive higher customer acquisition and gain a stronger position in the local market.
Partnering with a Chicago advertising company unlocks several advantages to businesses:
To showcase the results a top Chicago advertising company can achieve for a business, our researchers highlighted this case study:
Chicago advertising companies offer a range of services to help businesses promote their brands and reach their target audiences. The most common services include:
In addition to their primary services, some Chicago advertising companies provide additional support, including influencer marketing, experiential marketing, event sponsorships, and direct mail campaigns.
It's challenging to identify the exact number of advertising agencies in Chicago. However, estimates suggest several hundred such firms are operating in the city. For instance, AdForum’s database lists around 190 agencies in the city, while recruitment platform Built In Chicago identifies 375 AdTech (advertising technology) companies. These figures indicate a thriving and diverse advertising sector in Chicago.
There are more than 5,400 advertising companies listed on DesignRush, with 130 agencies based in Illinois, and 104 located or have offices in Chicago. The companies vary in size, as shown by the following data:
| Company size | Number of agencies |
| Small (under 49 employees) | 73 |
| Mid-sized (50-249 employees) | 20 |
| Large (250+ employees) | 8 |
| Enterprise (1000+ employees) | 3 |
Many Chicago advertising companies charge hourly rates between $100 and $200, though some accept lower rates of $30 to $50. Small businesses typically spend $10,000 to $50,000 on annual advertising, and many also separate their budgets for online and offline channels.
The top 50 advertising agencies in Chicago featured on DesignRush charge approximately $138 an hour. About 6.8% of agencies accept projects with a minimum budget of less than $1,000 for basic services like local business listings or PPC campaign audit. Meanwhile, 8.7% require $50,000+ minimum budget for full-service digital advertising campaigns or omnichannel marketing strategies.
Browse our directory to explore these Chicago agencies. Use our advanced filters to sort them by industry focus, hourly rate, reviews, and other relevant criteria.
Follow these steps to choose the best advertising agency in Chicago:
If you need expert recommendation, visit our Marketplace and submit your project details. Our team will suggest the top five agencies that meet your requirements, free of charge.
For an effective campaign execution, advertising agencies in Chicago follow a well-defined, structured process that typically involves the following stages:
Chicago advertising companies cater to clients from different industries, and these are the top five:
Beyond these top sectors, advertising agencies in Chicago also work with businesses in software and SaaS, automotive, hospitality, and finance. Browse our directory to learn more about these companies and use our advanced filters to narrow your search by budget range, industry, specializations, and more relevant criteria.
Consider asking the following questions when assessing a Chicago advertising company:
Explore these top 10 best-rated Chicago advertising companies:
Rated 4.8 on Google and 4.7 on Trustpilot, DesignRush Agency Directory is a reliable resource for finding top advertising agencies in Chicago. We owe this to our executive selection team, which follows a strict screening process when featuring agencies on the platform, assessing key performance indicators, like portfolio, client reviews, and industry reputation.
Learn more about DesignRush Agency Ranking Methodology.
DesignRush sustains a directory of over 30,000 agencies categorized by service category, location, expertise, and reviews. We build our database in two ways:
Agencies can also reach out to DesignRush and must go through the verification process prior to being listed.
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