Top 10: Ad Agencies in the US

Getting your product across is becoming increasingly difficult due to the oversaturation of suppliers in each industry – but which approach do you take to be different? Does the campaign need to be loud? Relevant? Creative? Colourful? These are all questions that ad agencies were designed to answer.

Across the US region, there are many agencies for brands to choose from now, often backed by a heritage or reputation for delivering measurable results.

This Top 10 looks at some of the agencies putting themselves forward in the U.S. industries and those that have been responsible for some of the biggest campaigns to date.

Find out which one takes the number one ranking for Marketing Chief.

10. 72andsunny

Revenue: US$1.4bn
CEO: Evin Shutt

72andsunny is a full service agency which was founded in 2004 and has since gone on to work with big clients like Nike, Samsung and Google.

Designed to connect brands with cultural moments and movements, the agency develops a brand’s strategy and creative campaigns that resonate with audiences.

It has been consistently recognised for the impact 72andsunny has on its clients and continues to build growth for the agency and develop unique ideas.

9. BBDO Worldwide

Revenue: US$3bn
CEO: Nancy Reyes

Operating in over 80 countries worldwide, BBDO is one of the largest advertising networks globally. The agency has worked with distinguished clients like Snickers, Guinness and Visa and brought impactful campaigns that create brand recognition. 

BBDO operates under Omnicom Group and is one of the most awarded agencies globally.

The full service agency offers capabilities like brand strategy, advertising, digital marketing and cross-market campaign coordination, meaning that clients can achieve their marketing goals under one agency’s roof.

8. Dentsu

Revenue: US$9.6b
CEO: Takeshi Sano

Dentsu’s US headquarters are located in New York, yet the agency is mainly based in Tokyo, with international offices located all over the world.

The agency offers services in media relations, technology, creative and advertising, events, sponsorships and PR. Dentsu U.S. follows its global brand line “Innovating to Impact” and has brought a data-first approach to its work.

Its reputation for bringing storytelling and memorability to clients has positioned Dentsu as a key agency in the U.S. markets.

7. Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Revenue: US$74.7m
CEO: Sarah Thompson

Based in San Francisco, the agency was founded in 1983 and has since gone on to become part of Omnicom. Goodby Silverstein & Partners serves national and global brands in various sectors like automotive, technology, food and beverage and retail.    

The full service agency specialises in campaigns and offers services like brand and communication strategy, media planning and buying and interactive and brand promotions, adapting its approach to meet the brand’s standards.

Goodby Silverstein & Partners’ mission is to create experiences that reach the masses, yet seem to speak to individuals, creating an effect called mass intimacy.

6. Havas

Revenue: US$3b
CEO: Yannick Bolloré

Havas is a fully integrated agency that aims to maximise a brand’s positioning in an increasingly competitive market, serving industries across the US like healthcare, automotive and financial.

The agency’s strategy centralises around its “desirable brands create desirable results” motto and embeds authentic messages within its advertising work to create an impact on audiences.

Havas typically specialises in mid-to-large-size clients in the US to ensure the agency can adapt to the brand’s briefing as well as possible.

5. McCann Worldgroup

Revenue: US$870.5m
CEO: Tyler Turnbull

With US headquarters in New York, McCann is one of the leading creative and marketing agencies in the U.S. Its core focus is placed on driving brand awareness and impact through creative storytelling. It has been responsible for developing some of the most influential campaigns across the nation, serving clients like Coca-Cola, Nescafé and MasterCard.

On a wider scale, McCann aims to “build enduring brands together” across more than 100 countries. It has become globally distinctive for its commercial capabilities, strategic insights and sustainable results.

4. Ogilvy

Revenue: US$2.1b
CEO: Devika Bulchandani

Ogilvy offers a wide range of services like advertising and brand strategy, public relations and influence, growth and innovation and consulting. These capabilities form Ogilvy’s ‘Borderless Creativity’ model, which encourages full participation and teamwork in order to produce results of the highest quality.

The agency’s creative strategy is backed by research and emphasises truthfulness, clarity and the complete comprehension of a brand’s customer – this ensures Ogilvy can create relevant advertising that reaches the correct market in each industry.

3. TBWA

Revenue: US$1.2b
CEO: Erin Riley​​​​​​​

With US regional hubs in New York and Los Angeles, TBWA challenges the advertising stereotypes and unlocks new opportunities for brands.

Describing itself as a “borderless global creative collective”, the agency offers countless services that span the full customer journey like brand strategy, customer experience, AI transformation and product development.

Some of its notable campaigns include brands like Apple, Taco Bell and Gatorade, bringing influential campaigns with culturally resonant ideas to the table consistently.

2. VML

Revenue: US$412.7m
CEO: Jon Cook

One of the largest creative agencies in the U.S., VML is most known for blending brand experience, customer experience and commerce into a unified approach to modern marketing.

VML’s American reputation has been established through its exceptional creative detail and measurable results that drive growth for brands.

Combining storytelling with digital innovation, VML has worked with brands like Hellmann’s and Wendy’s and emphasises the importance of campaigns being created by humans, for humans. The agency’s work reflects what a consumer really wants to see and highlights products they never knew they needed.

1. Wieden + Kennedy

Revenue: US$653.8m
CEO: Neal Arthur