Top 10: Ad Agencies in Latin America

Keeping ahead of competing companies is difficult for any industry, especially independently. This is where ad agencies are incredibly valuable.

These creative powerhouses will plan, create, distribute and manage advertising campaigns for a brand, often offering full services to ensure its agency is the sole point of marketing contact.

But which one is doing it best? While many operate worldwide, agencies in Latin America (LATAM) are growing in demand with the likes of Coca-Cola and Burger King calling on the assistance in the region.

Find out which one is ranked number one by Marketing Chief.

10. AlmapBBDO

Headquarters: São Paulo
CEO: Filipe Bartholomeu

Distinguishable through being a powerhouse of creativity and business, AlmapBBDO is constantly reinventing itself to stay ahead of the competition. 

The Brazilian advertising agency is recognised for its dedication for creativity and the stories it tells for a client.

Emphasising collaboration and active listening with diverse perspectives means AlmapBBDO can craft powerful points.

Its CEO, Filipe Bartholomeu, emphasises the agency’s “disciplined creative approach”, with no idea too big even from the very beginning of the advertising process.

9. Buzz

Headquarters: San José, Costa Rica
CEO: Andrés Martín

Buzz was founded 14 years ago and has since gone on to serve several brands globally, with a particular focus on the Latin American market.

Specialising in digital marketing strategies and branding, the agency strives to create measurable experiences that drive business value.

Keeping traditional advertising with genuine human intelligence whilst modernising its approach with innovation and technology integrated, Buzz helps its clients understand consumer behaviour.

Buzz’s creative strategy has positioned the agency as a core player in the region’s digital media production.

8. Circus Grey

Headquarters: Lima, Peru
CEO: José Luis Rivera y Piérola

Despite being part of the Grey advertising agency, Circus is its own entity, operating as an independent global advertising agency.

Circus Grey was established in 2008 and has gone on to position itself as an agency with a refreshingly unique approach to marketing.

Its strategy has often been compared to a child playing in a sandbox – free and limitless. Instead of departments assigned for each function, such as finance and design, each project is led by a single individual who completely directs the work with curiosity and engagement.

7. David Agency

Regional hub: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Chairman: Luiz Fernando de Salvo Musa

At David Agency, its advertising thrives on creating one of a kind ideas that engage conversation and evoke action.

The agency is known for its dedication to client satisfaction and producing innovative materials.

Founded in 2012, the agency has worked with large scale clients over the last 14 years like Netflix, Coca-Cola and Burger King.

With offices across the globe and a commendable reputation in the LATAM region, David Agency has received numerous accolades for its work and client success.

6. DON by Havas

Regional hub: Buenos Aires, Argentina
CEO: Yannick Bollore

Having been recently acquired by Havas, DON by Havas is one of the most esteemed advertising agencies in the LATAM region. 

With over a hundred professionals working on various projects, the agency brings its clients a combination of cutting edge creativity and deep market expertise.

DON by Havas uses the power of creativity, media and entertainment to drive growth and change.

It has gained strong brand positioning over time due to providing clients with authentic messages, experiences and success.

5. Gut

Regional hub: Buenos Aires, Argentina
CEO: Andrea Diquez

Gut is largely used in Latin America thanks to offering a wide range of services including AI, digital marketing, digital consumer experience and data analytics.

Using a play on words from its brand name, the agency aims to inspire clients to follow their guts with advertisement campaigns.

The agency blends creativity with technology to ensure the work resonates with modern pop culture and a client’s vision. 

Despite keeping up with the modern approaches, Gut still commits to maintaining a human centered mindset in all its work.

4. Isla Agency

Headquarters: Mexico City, Mexico
CEO: Mariano Serkin

Isla Agency is a creative network operating primarily in Latin America, with regional offices in  São Paulo, Buenos Aires and Headquarters in Mexico.

Focusing on the integration of creativity, strategy, research, media and data, Isla offers services that are guaranteed to transform a brand’s business – positioning each as a relevant brand to people’s culture.

Its campaigns are created to awaken a consumer’s interest with relevant distribution, such as Out-Of-Home or digital, depending on the client’s needs.

3. McCann Worldgroup Latin American

Regional hub: Mexico City, Mexico
CEO: Bill Kolb

Operating majorly in Latin America and the Caribbean, McCann Worldgroup is one of the leading players in the global marketing solutions network. 

The agency holds a core focus on playing a meaningful role in people’s lives, driving its growth due to genuinity in McCan’s approach.

Consistently receiving industry recognition, McCan is a full service agency offering advertising, data science, public relations and more.

Aside from its outstanding presence in the LATAM region, it also connects over 100 countries to innovative campaigns.

2. Ogilvy Latin America (WPP)

Regional hub: Buenos Aires, Argentina
CEO: Horacio Genolet

Ogilvy is one of the largest ad agencies both in Latin America and globally. Founded in 1850, the agency has become renowned for being a full service agency for marketing and advertising.

Offering digital marketing, public relations and brand consulting services, Ogilvy helps brands increase visibility and market shares through creatively effective campaigns.

The agency has a firm belief that good advertising is based on strong, creative ideas that can break through the clutter. It has an established understanding of how to stand out from competing agencies and ensure its clients receive the best experience available.

Ensuring personalisation, focus is placed on understanding the consumer and creating tailored campaigns that connect with audiences on an emotional level.

The effectiveness of campaigns is measured using data driven analytics to determine a campaigns’ effectiveness and results are used to ensure its work is constantly improving over time.

1. VML LATAM

Regional hub: Buenos Aires, Argentina
CEO: Victoria Cole

Recognised as a leading advertising agency in Latin America, VML aims to guarantee consistency and measurable impact on a client’s work.

The agency prides itself on creating compelling platforms that capture attention spans and form emotional ties.

Through designing intelligently intuitive digital experiences, VML LATAM has consistently worked towards a deeper engagement and strengthened loyalty from its clients.

Integrating media, content and technology, VML LATAM focuses on end to end solutions that include brand experience, customer experience and commerce – responding to an ever increasing market demand.

In an industry where it is easy to fade into the background amidst countless agencies, VML has spent decades positioning itself as a direct point of contact for all its clients across the globe.