Top Media Buying Agencies in US 2026

Q: What services do media buying agencies in the United States provide?

These types of agencies help brands with: Performance-focused digital campaigns: High-demand campaigns across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Search, and CTV, prioritizing short-form video and measurable, creative-led performance. Full-funnel paid media tied to creative-led campaigns: Roughly 60% to 70% of clients bundle creative and media for faster cycles, fewer handoffs, and performance-built creative. Programmatic and CTV packages: Growing rapidly, with challenger brands investing $15K to $150K per month for scalable reach, automated targeting, and measurable lift. Paid social advertising: Cross-platform campaigns delivering 1% to 2% average conversion rates, with top performers exceeding 3% on Meta and TikTok. Audience & competitive analysis: Audience research and competitor benchmarking to guide budget allocation and identify the highest-ROI channels. Analytics & performance reporting: Real-time KPI tracking, A/B testing, and optimization across impressions, CPM, CTR, conversions, ROAS, and attribution paths.

Q: How much do media buying services in the US cost?

Most media buying agencies charge between $100 and $150 per hour. They rely on a mix of retainers, spend-based fees, and setup costs, depending on scope and complexity. These numbers are based on industry research and expert insights from Colormatics: Fee Type Typical Cost Range Notes Monthly retainer $1,500 to $10,000 Based on complexity and channel mix % of media spend 10% to 20% Scales with spend and performance scope One-time setup fee $1,500 to $3,000 Tracking, pixels, dashboards, QA Hourly rate $100 to $150+ Specialized strategy or audits Beyond agency fees, overall campaign budgets vary significantly based on scale, channels, and timelines. The table below outlines common budget ranges for different types of media buying engagements. Campaign Type Budget Range Typical Scope Pilot campaigns ~$25,000 1 to 2 platforms, short run Integrated campaigns $50,000 to $300,000 Multi-channel, performance tracking Large/national campaigns Up to $500,000 12 to 24 weeks, heavy media mix

Our directory of media buying agencies in the US is evaluated using five core ranking criteria and reviewed by a team of 12 industry experts, backed by more than 480 verified client reviews. This methodology provides a clear, credible way to identify the right media buying partner.

Discover the Best Media Buying Agencies Across the United States

31 Companies-Rankings updated: November 10, 2026

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Organic rankings are determined by five factors: top services, reviews, portfolio, awards/press, and team expertise. Sponsored listings pay for a placement that appears above organic positions. Sponsorship does not affect star ratings or review content - read more on our methodology page.

United States × Consumer Goods × $10,000 - $25,000 ×Clear Filters

Quimby Digital
Verified
Social media, UGC and Reddit for CPG, baby and women's health brands
Women-owned social media agency for CPG, baby and parenting, femtech and women's health brands. Organic social, creator and UGC programs, Reddit community programs and paid social for launch-stage brands, with a senior strategist on every account...
Top Services:
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Media Buying
Content Marketing
Advertising
Show more
Location
Dublin, Ohio
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$100/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
6 Projects Listed
Quimby Digital Services
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Media Buying
Content Marketing
Advertising
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
Hiya
Cerebelly
ZenBusiness
Antigua Apparel
Space Capital
Mamabird
Upwardly Global
Mangomint
Rothy's, L'ange
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Quimby Digital Reviews & Testimonials
Anthony Hernandez Content Analyst at Living Spaces
4.7★
eCommerce Review from Anthony Hernandez
The Quimby team provides actionable insights based on data driven reporting. From our partnership, we have been able to strategically plan and act on content recommendations that aim to move the needle. The team is very responsive and is willing to adjust strategies based off our goals and results.
Marc "Jake" Jacobson Head of Brand at Antigua Apparel
4.3★
Social Media Marketing Review from Marc "Jake" Jacobson
The Quimby Team has been great to work with. I challenged them launching Social Media Platforms for a 45-year old, multi-faceted apparel manufacturer that sells both wholesale + direct-to-consumer, that has never been active on Social and has never truly marketed itself. And, a significant part of our business is Sports Licensed Apparel + Golf, where we Sponsor PGA and LPGA Golfers. So, a lot of our social strategy happens in REAL-TIME. This is an INCREDIBLE CHALLENGE for anyone! Overall, they have done a really terrific job! Our best work comes with planning and collaboration, as well as being reactionary to real-time sports event results. Together, we have developed a strong creative + messaging platform that provides brand consistency. We have also developed realistic KPI's. And, Quimby has delivered on all.
Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
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DesignRush verified(2)4.2
Mamon11 Agency
Verified
Monetize Brand Data By Data Science Development & Applications
Mamon11 develops custom enriched-data products and solutions. Products have been focused on Mark-tech, IoT and Retail Site Selection or Store Closings. We deploy software to collect, standardize, mine, optimize, and sync algorithmic solutions to a wide array of source, legacy and end points...
Top Services:
Big Data Analytics
AI Development
Software Development
IoT
CRO
Show more
Location
Miami, Florida
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$150/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Mamon11 Agency Services
Big Data Analytics
AI Development
Software Development
IoT
CRO
Digital Marketing
Web Design
Media Buying
Mobile App Development
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
Muzology
PishPosh Baby
Me Too Shoes
UNIFYD Healing
Iminit
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Mamon11 Agency Reviews & Testimonials
Sumit Nagpal Chair and CEO, Founder at Cherish
5.0★
Digital Strategy Review from Sumit Nagpal
Our retail company has changed drastically as a result of Mamon! Their group of professionals created a comprehensive digital marketing plan that produced noticeable outcomes. They handled everything, including social media, PPC, and SEO. Their data-driven strategy ensured maximum ROI, and they kept us updated with frequent reports. Website traffic, engagement, and conversions have all increased significantly. They are a reliable partner because of their commitment, ingenuity, and expertise.
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DesignRush verified(1)4.3
Neon Growth
Led by Nike's Former Global Director of Paid Media
Neon Growth manages over $1 billion in media across Meta, Google, TikTok, Reddit, Snapchat, and AppLovin for Fortune 500 and high-growth consumer brands. Media planning runs alongside creative production and measurement under one team, so budget decisions and creative testing inform each other...
Top Services:
Media Buying
Digital Marketing
eCommerce
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Show more
Location
Los Angeles, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$150/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
10 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(23)4.9

Y'all
Verified
Performance Creative and DTC Marketing for Health, Wellness & Beauty Brands
Y'all buys media across Meta, TikTok, Google, and X Ads, including Google Merchant Center optimization for e-commerce feeds. Media buying runs alongside pixel audits and attribution platform setup so spend decisions rest on clean tracking data...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Creative Services
Media Buying
eCommerce
Social Media Marketing
Show more
Location
San Antonio, Texas
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$200/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
7 Projects Listed
Y'all Services
Digital Marketing
Creative Services
Media Buying
eCommerce
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
FlavCity
Pamos
Sweat Tent
Sono Bello
Loverboy
Sijo
Lolli
Allie+Bess
Bandolier
Popsmith
Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
Y'all Reviews & Testimonials
Lucy Ji Co-Founder at Irritated Inc.
5.0★
Digital Advertising Review from Lucy Ji
We brought Y'all in to audit our Meta and Google campaigns and tell us what was broken. They dug into campaign setups, creative performance, audience targeting, and spend efficiency, then handed us a clear, actionable plan to fix it. The results were hard to argue with. ROAS jumped 184.6%, purchase routing became smoother, and our budget started working a lot harder.What impressed us most was how tailored everything felt. They took the time to understand our brand before making a single recommendation. Nothing was generic. They also walked us through the findings in a recorded session and hosted a live Q&A so nothing got lost in translation. Professional, responsive, and genuinely collaborative from start to finish. No complaints at all.
Kristen Elworthy Marketing & Growth at Lawnbright
5.0★
Digital Marketing Review from Kristen Elworthy
Y'all has been fantastic to work with for us, a small e-commerce company heading into a scaling year. We found Y'all when looking to up our creative game in 2026 and have been thrilled with their ideas and execution, as well as how quickly they have learned our brand.We quickly brought them on to do paid media buying as well and they have been instrumental in helping us scale spend and revenue during our busy season. Most importantly, they are collaborative, responsive, smart and data driven.For a boostrapped ecomm brand, bringing on agencies is always a huge financial commitment and it can be nerve wracking. Y'all's founder and team clearly care about their clients and outcomes, they go the extra mile, and they are committed to their success. We find them to be true partners.
Neha Salgaonkar Director of DTC at Save Trees
5.0★
Performance Marketing Review from Neha Salgaonkar
When we started working with Y'all, we were spending just $2,000 to $3,000 a month on Meta. Our goal was to scale that spend profitably while keeping customer acquisition costs in check. They did exactly that. New customer acquisition grew measurably and ROAS moved in the right direction, all without blowing past our CAC targets.What made them stand out was how plugged in they were. The team monitored our account closely, often sending daily updates and making quick adjustments without needing to be prompted. They never felt like an outside agency. They genuinely cared about the brand and it showed in how they worked. No complaints from our end.
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DesignRush verified(7)4.8
Google reviews(6)5.0
Moburst
Growth Done Right
Moburst buys media for clients including Google, Uber, Samsung, and Reddit as part of its mobile-first digital marketing stack. The agency holds TikTok Partner and Premier Google Partner status, giving accounts VIP support across major ad platforms...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Web Design
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Media Buying
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
50 - 99
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
10 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(8)4.8
Google reviews(18)4.3
Outright
Award Winner
Award Winning Creative Agency | Branding. Design. Advertising. Experiences. | Based in DC
Outright plans and buys media for both consumer brands and nonprofits, working at the intersection of advocacy and commercial marketing. Clients span Marriott, Adidas, McDonald's, and organizations like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation...
Top Services:
Branding
Web Design
Video Production
Digital Marketing
Graphic Design
Show more
Location
Washington DC, Washington DC
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$190/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
15 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(4)4.7

AdLift
Reach That Engages Visits That Convert Top Arrow Spends That Augment
AdLift specializes in a wide range of SEO services, including Technical SEO, Enterprise SEO, On-Page and Off-Page SEO, Link Building, Keyword Strategy, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), LLM SEO and Website Analytics...
Top Services:
SEO
AEO
Content Marketing
PPC
CRO
Show more
Location
San Francisco, California
Number of Employees
100 - 249
Average Hourly Rate
$40/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
4 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(3)4.6
Google reviews(2)5.0
Social House, Inc.
Welcome to Social House. We Make Media Human.
Social House delivers monthly, quarterly, and annual wrap reports for each media campaign, tracking performance against the original strategy over time. Landing pages get built specifically for each campaign rather than routing traffic to a general site...
Top Services:
Content Marketing
Social Media Marketing
PPC
Digital Marketing
Media Buying
Show more
Location
Los Angeles, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$149/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
10 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(1)4.3
Accelerated Digital Media
Data-driven digital marketing - We partner with our clients to drive tactful, sustainable growth.
ADM is a performance marketing agency specializing in eCommerce and healthcare. Our approach is centered on client success, underpinned by our extensive knowledge, transparency, and experience...
Top Services:
Media Buying
Social Media Marketing
eCommerce
PPC
Digital Marketing
Show more
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
10 Projects Listed
View Profile
Google reviews(5)5.0
ThinkRaven
Marketing & Creative Agency
We're ThinkRaven, a marketing and creative agency. We strategize, make videos, and run ads for consumer brands, at every stage of the buyer's journey, globally and at scale...
Top Services:
Video Production
Creative Services
Video Marketing
Design Services
Web Design
Show more
Location
Austin, Texas
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$150/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
4 Projects Listed
View Profile
DesignRush verified(2)4.5
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TEC Direct Media
Target | Excite | Connect
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...
Top Services:
Media Buying
Advertising
Digital Marketing
Video Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Show more
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$180/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
12 Projects Listed
View Profile
Google reviews(6)5.0
PH Consulting & Media
Elevating New York Businesses Through the Power of Video.
PH Consulting & Media is a marketing and ad agency specializing in creating video content that elevates brands and gets them noticed by their ideal customers...
Top Services:
Video Production
Media Buying
Creative Services
Audio Production
Branding
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
3 Projects Listed
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Bloom Ads Global Media Group
We're Marketing Obsessed
Bloom Ads Global Media Group is a full service media strategy, planning and buying agency. We believe in customer and EMPLOYEE first and encourage diversity in thought and creativity. We embrace our inner and outer family with 100% encouragement and foster a supportive environment within the Bloom community...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Media Buying
Location
Woodland, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$165/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
2 Projects Listed
View Profile
Google reviews(4)5.0
Growth Marketing Werks
Move the Needle. See Growth.
We help B2B companies scale smarter, working as a true partner to convert ad spend into qualified pipeline with data-driven strategies and exceptional service...
Top Services:
Media Buying
Advertising
PPC
Location
Golden, Colorado
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Affect Group
We're The Agency Your Last Agency Wasn't
We're a globally recognized digital marketing agency headquartered in California. We specialize in performance marketing, with a focus on lead generation through social media and Google. Our team of experts has garnered numerous awards for our exceptional work in the field of digital marketing...
Top Services:
PPC
Digital Marketing
Media Buying
CRO
eCommerce
Show more
Location
San Jose, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$120/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
1 Project Listed
View Profile
INDIRAP
Video Production & Social Media Marketing Agency
INDIRAP is a full-service video production and video marketing agency serving growth-focused brands nationwide. Since 2013, INDIRAP has produced 20,000+ videos for 900+ clients across 40+ industries, including LinkedIn, Google, and Hyatt, pairing corporate video production with paid social, organic...
Top Services:
Video Production
Social Media Marketing
Video Marketing
Content Marketing
Media Buying
Show more
Location
Chicago, Illinois
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$250/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
1 Project Listed
View Profile
Google reviews(229)5.0
Stinghouse Advertising
Inspire Impact for Social Good.
Stinghouse is a veteran-owned creative communications agency headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida, specializing in strategy and storytelling for nonprofits, educational institutions and civic organizations. Founded in 2012, the agency combines research-driven planning, design, multimedia and campaign...
Top Services:
Media Buying
Digital Marketing
Social Media Marketing
SEO
Branding
Show more
Location
Miami, Florida
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$200/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Webistry
Growth one click at a time.
Webistry drives revenue with data-driven paid media, experimentation, and CRO...
Top Services:
Digital Services
Web Design
Web Development
Creative Services
UI/UX Design
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$165/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
Portfolios Count
3 Projects Listed
View Profile
Stirling Brandworks
Clarity That Moves.
A full-service marketing agency blending strategy, creativity, and technology to build bold brands, powerful campaigns, and measurable growth for mission-driven organizations...
Top Services:
Branding
Digital Marketing
Advertising
Creative Services
Design Services
Show more
Location
Winchester, Massachusetts
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$199/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Google reviews(11)4.4
Robineau Media
We Make Marketing Human.
Robineau Media is a women- and Black-owned full-service digital marketing agency headquartered in Syracuse, New York, with additional presence in New York City. As a HubSpot Solutions Partner, the agency combines strategy, ad tech and data-driven insights to deliver personalized, omni-channel marketing...
Top Services:
Content Marketing
Digital Marketing
Media Buying
Location
Syracuse, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$250/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Faceplant Creative
Specialized Social Media Content + Marketing Agency
As a leading social media marketing agency, we excel in crafting premium, data-driven campaigns designed to build brand personality and drive conversions. Our social-first approach covers everything from creative strategy, production, and editing to ad buying, making us the go-to marketing agency for brands...
Top Services:
Social Media Marketing
Video Marketing
Media Buying
Location
Austin, Texas
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$200/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
The HOW Agency
Built for growth, now.
The HOW Agency serves as the digital extension of the 5W network of agencies, representing a comprehensive digital enterprise born from the intersection of discourse and culture. Our mission is to foster brand expansion, wield conversational influence, and, ultimately, deliver measurable growth for our...
Top Services:
Digital Services
Digital Marketing
Media Buying
Social Media Marketing
Email Marketing
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$175/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
The Social Standard
Redefine Influence with The Social Standard.
We are The Social Standard, the gold standard in influencer marketing. Our mission: set the industry benchmark. We connect top brands with social talent across platforms, crafting effective campaigns that captivate audiences and surpass goals...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Media Buying
Branding
Show more
Location
Santa Monica, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Campaign Insights
Make smarter campaign decisions with real-time insights.
Make smarter campaign decisions with real-time insights...
Top Services:
Market Research
Digital Strategy
Media Buying
Digital Marketing
Video Marketing
Show more
Location
St. Louis, Missouri
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$150/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Weinberg Whitman
Weinberg Whitman is a dynamic team of seasoned marketing consultants and advisors.
Weinberg Whitman is a dynamic team of seasoned marketing consultants and advisors dedicated to propelling your business to new heights. With a wealth of experience across diverse industries, we bring a fresh perspective and proven strategies to drive success...
Top Services:
Digital Strategy
Digital Services
Media Buying
Digital Marketing
SEO
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
250 - 499
Average Hourly Rate
$55/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Agency Creative
Making Brands Unstoppable
We combine strategy, creativity, technology, and data to uncover opportunities, accelerate growth, and deliver measurable business results...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Digital Services
Digital Strategy
SEO
Web Development
Show more
Location
Dallas, Texas
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Google reviews(71)5.0
Brandwoven
Empowering Commerce
Brandwoven is reshaping the way brands navigate the ever-changing marketplace landscape. We invest in the growth of dynamic, product-based brands by providing full-service consulting and management solutions. Our adaptive strategies empower brands to excel and drive growth...
Top Services:
Business Consulting
SEO
Market Research
CRO
Advertising
Show more
Location
Portland, Oregon
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$150/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Google reviews(4)4.3
DTCo
Growth agency for DTC brands
DTCo is a growth agency for DTC brands spending $150K to $15M a month. Paid media, creative, funnels and ORCA measurement, run as one integrated system...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Digital Strategy
Creative Services
Digital Services
PPC
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
OneBillion! Agency
Marketing isn't a math problem.
The OneBillion! Agency isn't your typical agency. We're a marketing effectiveness shop helping brands grow through data-driven, customer-centric, and results-oriented marketing campaigns...
Top Services:
Creative Services
Market Research
Branding
eCommerce
Web Design
Show more
Location
New York City, New York
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$500/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Brogan Tennyson Group
Big thinking small.
Offering Social Media & Digital Marketing, Advertising, And Branding Services. Brogan Tennyson Group goes all in for their clients with visionary thinking, ahead-of-the-curve imagery and a proven ability to attract the perfect customer...
Top Services:
Digital Marketing
Branding
Video Production
Advertising
Digital Services
Show more
Location
Trenton, New Jersey
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$125/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile
Jadi Communications, Inc.
WHERE SCIENCE BECOMES STORY AND BRANDS SCALE
Jadi is a strategic brand agency built for science-forward consumer brands health, wellness, beauty, nutrition, and technology. We translate product truth, ingredient science, and real innovation into stories that build belief and systems that scale it.Strategy. Story. Systems. Scale...
Top Services:
Branding
Digital Strategy
Content Marketing
Video Production
Advertising
Show more
Location
Laguna Beach, California
Number of Employees
Under 49
Average Hourly Rate
$100/hr
Minimal Budget
$10,000 - $25,000
View Profile

Media Buying Agencies by City

Media Buying Agencies by State

Hiring Guide: How to Choose a Leading Media Buying Agencies in the US

What should I look for in a company’s track record or case studies?

As programmatically sold advertising is projected to reach over $400 billion in the US by 2026, evaluating a company’s track record requires a sharper focus on scale, sophistication, and measurable impact.

Case studies should go beyond isolated wins and demonstrate repeatable performance across channels, budgets, and market conditions.

Quantified results such as ROAS, CPA reduction, revenue lift, or pipeline impact, with specific numbers
Channel and media mix clarity, including how platforms were selected and sequenced
Creative and testing strategy, showing how messaging, formats, or audiences were iterated to improve performance
Scalability evidence, proving results held or improved as spend increased
Attribution and measurement approach, explaining how success was tracked and validated
Industry or use-case relevance, especially experience with similar budgets, markets, or buying models

Can a media buying agency manage both creative and media, or do I need additional vendors?

With 50% of connected TV advertising budgets expected to be transacted programmatically in 2025, the line between creative and media execution continues to blur, especially as campaigns increasingly combine CTV, digital, and traditional channels.

Traditional media continues to play a major role in large-scale reach, with more than 125 million TV households in the US and radio reaching 85.6% of American men over 55 each week. As a result, creative alignment becomes especially critical when managing campaigns that span linear TV, CTV, and digital platforms.

Many full-service media buying agencies now manage both creative and media to support this convergence, handling everything from ad development to placement, optimization, and performance measurement.

Others specialize strictly in media execution, requiring brands to bring creative in-house or work with additional vendors. The right model depends on how integrated and fast-moving the campaign needs to be, but as programmatic CTV scales, tighter creative-media coordination is increasingly a competitive advantage.

How do you choose the best agency in the United States for your goals?

1. Define your objectives

Clarify the business outcomes you want from paid media campaigns. Identify target audiences, key channels, budget ranges, timelines, and any internal constraints or dependencies.

2. Shortlist candidates

Identify 3 to 5 agencies with proven experience in your industry and media channels that match your objectives. Review case studies, client rosters, campaign outcomes, and awards to assess past performance.

3. Assess reputation and client feedback

Check independent review platforms, client testimonials, and references to evaluate reliability, service quality, and the ability to meet deadlines, KPIs, and budget commitments. Look for evidence of transparent media reporting and optimization practices.

4. Send a request for proposal (RFP)

Provide a detailed brief including campaign goals, target audiences, deliverables, reporting expectations, and timelines. A clear RFP ensures you receive comparable, actionable proposals from shortlisted agencies.

5. Conduct discovery and capability sessions

Meet with the shortlisted agencies to discuss their media buying approach, targeting strategies, creative-testing processes, programmatic or CTV capabilities, attribution frameworks, and collaboration model. This helps gauge their strategic fit and operational expertise.

6. Select an agency partner

Choose the agency that demonstrates strong strategic alignment, relevant experience, contemporary practices, and the ability to optimize campaigns as your business and market evolve. Ensure they can provide both performance-driven insights and transparent reporting.

If you need help finding a US media buying agency for your brand, visit our Marketplace and send us your project scope. We’ll match you with five providers that best match your criteria for free.

How can you find the best agency on DesignRush that fits your budget and campaign scope?

We’ve curated a list of top media buying agencies on DesignRush across multiple price points, making it easier to find a partner that fits your budget.

High budget: $50,000+	3Q/DEPT SENSIS Jump 450
Low budget: $25,000-$50,000	Moburst Cubatica E29 Marketing

Beyond cost, our agency directory lets you filter by location, industry, client type, verified reviews, team size, and hourly rates, so you can quickly narrow down the agencies best aligned with your needs.

What questions should you ask before hiring a media buying agency in the United States?

Before hiring a company, we recommend asking the following questions to assess expertise, transparency, and campaign fit:

Relevant Background

What are the most successful media buying campaigns you’ve executed recently? Can you walk us through the brief, targeting strategy, and results?
Which media channels are your strongest competencies? Is it Meta, TikTok, Google, YouTube, CTV, or programmatic?
In which industries do you have the deepest experience (e.g., DTC, fintech, sports tech, B2B)
How do you stay informed about shifting CPMs, algorithm changes, and attribution trends?

Services and Processes

What is your process for media planning and budget allocation across channels?
What tools and platforms power your buying (DSPs, attribution tools, analytics dashboards)?
What does reporting look like: frequency, depth, KPIs, and transparency of media costs?
How do you handle programmatic fees, platform markups, and pass-through costs?

Related to Your Project

Based on our goals, what risks or constraints should we be aware of (budget levels, creative volume, data quality, timeline)?
How many team members will work on our account, and what is their experience with similar media budgets?
How will you measure and attribute ROI, especially across cross-channel or CTV campaigns?
What level of involvement is required from our internal team during the engagement?

Sources

DesignRush sustains a directory of over 40,000 agencies categorized by service category, location, expertise, and reviews. We build our database in two ways:

Our dedicated team of agency experts actively searches the web for top-performing companies. We then pull information from their websites, online presence, and client testimonials to verify their status and qualifications prior to listing.
The agencies listed get notified of their profiles on the website and they can choose to claim it or not, which suggests their availability for more collaborations.

Agencies can also reach out to DesignRush and must go through the verification process prior to being listed.

Why companies trust DesignRush

Every agency is independently vetted before it can be listed or ranked

Identity Check

We verify businesses and reviewer LinkedIn profiles for integrity.

Agencies vetted: 131,808+

Portfolio Review

We review agency work, case studies, and results to confirm skill.

Applicants rejected: 48%

Ongoing Audit

We monitor listings regularly; outdated agencies are removed.

Agencies verified: 31

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Media Buying Agency FAQs

What services do media buying agencies in the United States provide?

These types of agencies help brands with:

Performance-focused digital campaigns: High-demand campaigns across Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Search, and CTV, prioritizing short-form video and measurable, creative-led performance.
Full-funnel paid media tied to creative-led campaigns: Roughly 60% to 70% of clients bundle creative and media for faster cycles, fewer handoffs, and performance-built creative.
Programmatic and CTV packages: Growing rapidly, with challenger brands investing $15K to $150K per month for scalable reach, automated targeting, and measurable lift.
Paid social advertising: Cross-platform campaigns delivering 1% to 2% average conversion rates, with top performers exceeding 3% on Meta and TikTok.
Audience & competitive analysis: Audience research and competitor benchmarking to guide budget allocation and identify the highest-ROI channels.
Analytics & performance reporting: Real-time KPI tracking, A/B testing, and optimization across impressions, CPM, CTR, conversions, ROAS, and attribution paths.

How much do media buying services in the US cost?

Most media buying agencies charge between $100 and $150 per hour. They rely on a mix of retainers, spend-based fees, and setup costs, depending on scope and complexity.

These numbers are based on industry research and expert insights from Colormatics:

Fee Type	Typical Cost Range	Notes
Monthly retainer	$1,500 to $10,000	Based on complexity and channel mix
% of media spend	10% to 20%	Scales with spend and performance scope
One-time setup fee	$1,500 to $3,000	Tracking, pixels, dashboards, QA
Hourly rate	$100 to $150+	Specialized strategy or audits

Beyond agency fees, overall campaign budgets vary significantly based on scale, channels, and timelines. The table below outlines common budget ranges for different types of media buying engagements.

Campaign Type	Budget Range	Typical Scope
Pilot campaigns	~$25,000	1 to 2 platforms, short run
Integrated campaigns	$50,000 to $300,000	Multi-channel, performance tracking
Large/national campaigns	Up to $500,000	12 to 24 weeks, heavy media mix

When can clients expect ROI from paid media campaigns?

ROI timelines vary by channel based on learning cycles, inventory dynamics, and optimization requirements. This table outlines when early performance signals usually appear and when results tend to stabilize.

Channel	Early Signals	Stable Performance
Paid social	7 to 21 days	30 to 45 days
Google Search	3 to 10 days (with volume)	8 to 12 weeks
YouTube	5 to 10 days	3 to 4 weeks
CTV/Programmatic	4 to 8 weeks	10 to 12 weeks

What are the typical timelines for media buying projects from planning to launch?

Project timelines depend on campaign scale, creative complexity, and channel mix. These are typical expectations from strategy and setup through launch and ongoing optimization.

Campaign Size	Planning & Setup	Build & QA	Optimization Cadence	Total Timeline
Small-scale	1 to 2 weeks	3 to 5 days	Weekly	4 to 8 weeks
Mid-size	2 to 3 weeks	1 week	2-3× weekly	8 to 12 weeks
Large/Multi-channel	3 to 5 weeks	1 to 2 weeks	Daily	12 weeks to 6 months

What KPIs should your business track when working with these agencies?

When working with a media buying agency in the US, KPIs should be selected to reflect both media efficiency and business impact, ensuring performance is measured beyond surface-level engagement.

Key KPIs to monitor include:

Impressions, reach, frequency, and CPM to assess delivery efficiency and audience exposure
Click-through rate (CTR), cost per click (CPC), engagement rate, and video completion rate to evaluate creative and audience relevance
Conversion rate, cost per acquisition (CPA), return on ad spend (ROAS), and customer acquisition cost (CAC) to measure profitability and scalability
Attribution coverage, assisted conversions, and incrementality to understand paid media’s true contribution across channels
Budget pacing, spend utilization, and testing velocity to gauge operational discipline and optimization effectiveness