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.
Social Driver is a leading digital agency specializing in social media, digital strategy, content and video, websites, and brand design. Based in Washington DC, with teams in Seattle, Kansas City, Chicago, and Bellingham, WA, our culture focuses on partnership, creativity, stewardship, and service...
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Creative Services Review from Andy Blevins
Social Driver provided branding services for the merger of two national LGBTQ military & veteran nonprofits. They incorporated insight from two boards to produce a name, logo, and branding package. The deliverables have all earned high praise, with the logo and overall brand being versatile and simple. All deadlines were met and communication was a highlight. Their smooth and streamlined process helped us pull everything under the same umbrella to have a united front. I highly recommend them!
Social Media Marketing Review from David Sallee
Social Driver provided social media marketing workshops and advice for the departments on campus which were involved in social media marketing, such as alumni, athletics, and advancement.Their staff provided in-depth instruction for all appropriate staff and follow-up conversations to support their work.Social Driver has very strong technical skills. They also demonstrate a very high level of insight for applications of social media that go far beyond technical insights into human insights.
Web Design Review from Eileen Kessler
My company worked with Social Driver to redesign the UX/IA for a national scientific organization's extensive research resource that was moving from print to online. There was a tight deadline to conceptualize a new user experience and create a framework that our client could review iteratively. Our client was very pleased with the results of the new interactive framework and design. This design was used for the build of the web site which began immediately upon completion. Highly recommend!
TEC Direct Media is a media agency in Chicago. We plan and buy media for artists, brands and agencies so they can generate awareness, acquire new customers and drive sales...
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Kirbie Croshal's Review Sourced from Google
TEC is instrumental to many of the projects at Croshal Entertainment Group and the achievements of our clients! We love working with them, they are professional and personable. We are so grateful to have a continuing relationship with Chuck and his staff members. We HIGHLY recommend their expertise to anyone who is looking for an advertising company that is also hands on through the entire process.
Christa Chavez's Review Sourced from Google
Chuck and the rest of the TEC team are a delight to work with! They are responsive, strategic and very communicative. The team is solution oriented and is easily able to adapt to changing situations. Highly recommend!
Deb DeFreeuw's Review Sourced from Google
TEC Direct Media has helped us on several projects, and has been instrumental in helping our agency "learn the ropes" about programmatic and all things digital. We're always learning new things about digital for our clients, and TEC Direct has always been there when we have a question. They have helped us on two projects in 2016, and each of those were successful and those clients will continue with us in 2017. We consider TEC Direct a strategic partner. D. DeFreeuw, President, Force 5
Since 2008 we've been helping startups and small businesses around the world to deliver better, more relevant marketing strategies and tactics. Combining branding, messaging, design, SEO and CRO with a wide range of tactical marketing initiatives, we help you increase awareness, credibility, reputation, trust...
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Design Services Review from Guy Campo
We are extremely pleased with KEXINO's design of our hospital's website. From the initial consultation to the final launch, their team demonstrated exceptional creativity, professionalism, and attention to detail. They took the time to understand our goals and translated them into a visually appealing, user-friendly, and functional website that perfectly represents our brand.KEXINO's approach to responsive design ensures our site looks and performs flawlessly on all devices, providing an excellent user experience for our patients and visitors. The seamless integration of key features, such as appointment scheduling and patient portals, has greatly enhanced our online services, making it easier for users to access vital information.Their expertise in healthcare-specific design considerations, including accessibility and HIPAA compliance, was evident throughout the project. We highly recommend KEXINO to any healthcare provider looking for a modern, professional, and effective online presence.
Sunup is a Chicago-based branding and creative studio powered by award-winning talent. From startups to Fortune 500s, we help B2B tech, cleantech and biotech companies distinguish their brands with clear positioning and compelling creative that drives breakthrough results...
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An award-winning boutique visual communications business that delivers solutions for nonprofits, community orgs and public-serving entities. The goal? To amplify good works for the greater good. Through graphic design and artistic partnerships, creativity and equity intersect...
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This agency excels in providing dynamic marketing solutions quickly, ensuring client needs are met with unprecedented timelines. By blending both digital and traditional media, they focus on creating compelling brand experiences that drive tangible results...
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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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