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. 

United States × Higher Education × $10,000 - $25,000 × Clear Filters
  • 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

    TEC Direct Media Services

    • Media Buying
    • Advertising
    • Digital Marketing
    • Video Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • PPC
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Concord Music Group
    • Universal Music Group
    • Sony Music Entertainment
    • PR and Event Marketing Agencies
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    TEC Direct Media Reviews & Testimonials

    • Kirbie Croshal
      Kirbie Croshal Review from Google
      5.0

      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
      Christa Chavez Review from Google
      5.0

      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
      Deb DeFreeuw Review from Google
      5.0

      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

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Nationwide Full-Service Digital Media Agency

    Orange 142 is a nationwide digital media agency that provides marketing services, digital media buying, and web development to brands and agencies...

    Top Services:

    • Digital Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Web Development
    • SEO
    • PPC
    • Show more
    Location
    Austin, Texas
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Minimal Budget
    $10,000 - $25,000
    Portfolios Count
    1 Project Listed

    Orange 142 Services

    • Digital Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Web Development
    • SEO
    • PPC
    • Digital Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Media Buying
    • Content Marketing
    • Branding
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • University of Georgia
    • Pigeon Forge Tennessee
    • Explore Minnesota
    • USC
    • Visit Bucks County
    • Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce
    • Las Palomas Resort
    • Visit South Jersey
    • Cape Resorts
    • Travel Santa Ana
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • 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

    Stirling Brandworks Services

    • Branding
    • Digital Marketing
    • Advertising
    • Creative Services
    • Design Services
    • UI/UX Design
    • Web Design
    • Web Development
    • Media Buying
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • NuPath Inc.
    • Cape Cod Oyster Company
    • Reading Cooperative Bank
    • Incompass Human Services
    • Waypoint Interactive
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    Stirling Brandworks Reviews & Testimonials

    • Jill Mercurio
      Jill Mercurio Review from Google
      5.0

      Jill Mercurio's Review Sourced from Google

      After over a decade struggling with an old website that was ugly and difficult to manage, Stirling worked with us to create a beautiful, modern, branded website AND taught us how to manage and maintain it. Their friendly and knowledgeable team helped us imagine what our new web presence could look like and allowed us to weigh in at every step to customize the design so it best reflected our Library. They were organized and responsive throughout the entire process. We couldn't be more happy with our choice to go with Stirling and our amazing finished product!

    • JCLS Marketing Team
      JCLS Marketing Team Review from Google
      5.0

      JCLS Marketing Team's Review Sourced from Google

      Working with the Stirling team was a fantastic experience. They were communicative and collaborative. Their energy and enthusiasm made them a joy to work with and their skill and creativity assured that we got a unique one of a kind website, rather than a "out of the box" readymade product.

    • Mark Spencer
      Mark Spencer Review from Google
      1.0

      Mark Spencer's Review Sourced from Google

      I am sad to say that I do not share the enthusiasm of the other reviewers. Mr. Stirling did an excellent job of marketing his services and prompting me to call. My company had contracted with another company to build a new website and never finished it. After some discussion with Thomas, he estimated the cost to finish was $2000. I have the agreement that states this. Unfortunately, $2000 ended up fixing one page only. He claimed that there were too many broken links to finish the job. Of course he was happy to continue work for a lot more money. Rather than insist that he finish it for the original amount agreed upon, I simply requested that we do our best on our end and that we ask a question or two as we progressed. Mr. Sterling became belligerent and accused me of trying to wangle free services. He then shut down our website (fortunately not live) until we paid in full. I will say that the staff under Mr. Sterling were delightful to work with. Unfortunately the unprofessional attitude of their boss made for a terrible experience.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Stories That Resonate, Content That Matters

    Corduroy Media is a San Francisco Bay Area video production company and creative agency based in Oakland. The firm specializes in storytelling through video, photo, animation/VFX, and creative content, supported by strategy, campaign execution, and performance marketing...

    Top Services:

    • Branding
    • Video Production
    • Creative Services
    • Advertising
    • Media Buying
    • Show more
    Location
    Oakland, California
    Number of Employees
    Under 49
    Minimal Budget
    $10,000 - $25,000

    Corduroy Media Services

    • Branding
    • Video Production
    • Creative Services
    • Advertising
    • Media Buying
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Haggar Clothing Co.
    • Simpson Strong-Tie
    • UCSF
    • UC Hastings
    • Teladoc
    • Heffernan Insurance
    • Paradigm Outcomes
    • HPE
    • Google
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    Corduroy Media Reviews & Testimonials

    • Eleanor Davis
      Eleanor Davis Review from Google
      5.0

      Eleanor Davis's Review Sourced from Google

      If I could give more stars, I would. I recently worked with Corduroy on two separate documentary-style video series. Both projects involved challenging and complicated content, quick timelines, and a lot of creative problem solving. Corduroy blew me out of the water with their energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and their willingness to educate themselves and become deeply familiar with our programming and the subject matter before the process had even begun. Not only that, but they were incredible listeners - always genuinely asking for and receiving feedback, and looking to me and my team as the experts on the subject matter of the videos. Working with Corduroy felt like a real creative partnership in a way that it hasn't always with other video production companies I've worked with. And, to top it all off, they are wildly talented. The videos they produced for us are incredibly beautiful - the footage is gorgeous, they hit all the perfect key points, and the videos are educational and effective at teaching as much as they are inspiring and moving. The team is a joy to work with and talented to boot - can't recommend them highly enough!

    • Tiffani Chan
      Tiffani Chan Review from Google
      5.0

      Tiffani Chan's Review Sourced from Google

      From the proposal stage to the final video, everyone at Corduroy were great to work with. We couldn't trust them more with producing a video that would evoke the emotions and motivation from our audience to learn more about our outreach programs. Brandon, our Producer and Director was fantastic throughout the project and we are so pleased with how he and his team transformed the untold stories of our participants into a moving and inspirational video. We definitely hope there will be more opportunities to collaborate again in the near future!

    • Alex
      Alex Review from Google
      5.0

      Alex's Review Sourced from Google

      I've worked with this San Francisco video production company on several higher-ed projects and have been extremely happy with both the process and the end product. Corduroy goes above and beyond to ensure projects are successful. They are also a pleasure to collaborate with and bring a level of passion and professionalism to projects that is truly profound.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • When You've Outgrown "Good Enough"

    EGC Group is the all-in performance marketing agency for brands that have outgrown good enough. We blend media, search, social, creative and Performance PR with deep vertical expertise to help ambitious brands get noticed, get chosen and turn interest into action...

    Top Services:

    • Digital Marketing
    • Public Relations
    • CRO
    • PPC
    • Media Buying
    • Show more
    Location
    Melville, New York
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $145/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $10,000 - $25,000

    EGC Group Services

    • Digital Marketing
    • Public Relations
    • CRO
    • PPC
    • Media Buying
    • Affiliate Marketing
    • eCommerce
    • Email Marketing
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Creative Services
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Brother
    • Canon
    • Emerging Vision
    • Catholic Health
    • WISP
    • WindowRama
    • Jake's 58 Casino
    • Jovia Financial Credit Union
    • Sterling Optical
    • KISS
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

    EGC Group Reviews & Testimonials

    • Theresa Loguercio
      Theresa Loguercio Review from Google
      5.0

      Theresa Loguercio's Review Sourced from Google

      We've had the joy of working with EGC for years, and it's been an amazing experience. They genuinely value our input and integrate it into their plans with enthusiasm and respect. The camaraderie we've built over the years has made working together not just professionally successful but personally gratifying. I highly recommend EGC. We're excited for many more years of awesome collaboration.

    • Kelly Carson
      Kelly Carson Review from Google
      5.0

      Kelly Carson's Review Sourced from Google

      One of the standout aspects of working with EGC Group is their ability to provide innovative solutions. They are not afraid to think outside the box and push creative boundaries. This forward-thinking mentality keeps the projects fresh and engaging, making the final products stand out in a competitive market. EGC Group places a strong emphasis on client satisfaction. They are attentive to the needs and preferences of their partners, ensuring that the final deliverables align perfectly with the client’s vision and goals. Their dedication to customer service makes the entire collaboration process pleasant and rewarding. In summary, working with EGC Group as a production partner has been a highly positive experience. Their professionalism, collaborative spirit, quality of work, efficiency, innovation, and customer-centric approach make them a standout choice in the industry. I highly recommend EGC Group for any creative needs, as they are a reliable and talented partner committed to delivering exceptional results.

    • Mark Businski
      Mark Businski Review from Google
      5.0

      Mark Businski's Review Sourced from Google

      The team at EGC Group is a pleasure to work with. I work closely with Jessica and Angela and they are professional, responsive, and creative. They work very hard for their client's and always have their client's interest in mind to help move their business forward.

    Reviews verified by DesignRush and sourced from the agency's profile View All Reviews
  • Turn Empathy Into Impact

    Todays marketing leaders face complex challenges broken workflows, scattered campaigns, and rising costs. Add multiple non-aligned agencies to the mix, and those challenges multiply. Thats why we take a different approach...

    Top Services:

    • Video Production
    • Digital Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Digital Marketing
    • Media Buying
    • Show more
    Location
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $200/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $10,000 - $25,000

    TrendyMinds LLC Services

    • Video Production
    • Digital Services
    • Digital Strategy
    • Digital Marketing
    • Media Buying
    • SEO
    • Web Development
    • UI/UX Design
    • Reputation Management
    • Public Relations
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Cummins
    • CommonSpirit
    • Salesforce
    • Hylant
    • Workday
    • Authenticx
    • Hamilton-Exhibits
    • Paramount
    • Farm Credit of Southern Colorado
    • Heartland Film Festival
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile
  • Your Vision Our Code

    American Koders is a USA-based software development company delivering innovative and customized digital solutions for startups and established businesses...

    Top Services:

    • Web Design
    • UI/UX Design
    • WordPress Website Design
    • eCommerce Development
    • Mobile App Development
    • Show more
    Location
    Kalispell, Montana
    Number of Employees
    50 - 99
    Average Hourly Rate
    $50/hr
    Minimal Budget
    $10,000 - $25,000

    American Koders Services

    • Web Design
    • UI/UX Design
    • WordPress Website Design
    • eCommerce Development
    • Mobile App Development
    • Software Development
    • CRM Consulting
    • Software Testing
    • Media Buying
    • PPC
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile, its website, and other relevant accounts
    • Health Care Industry
    • Fintech Industry
    • Education Industry
    Data sourced from the agency's DesignRush profile

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 

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