Top 40 Advertising Agencies in Chicago

A multinational publishing firm hired Rule29 for comprehensive brand management: Advertising, outreach, market research, and other aspects of developing and maintaining a brand. They helped the client expand into digital content from print-only publications, and helped implement a direct publisher-based marketing approach. The new strategy expanded market share with every product launch.

"They're a very talented agency. Their creative work is top-notch. Our relationship with their entire team was really solid. They were adaptive to different sorts of projects, and the project actually gained scope as a result of our ability to work together." – Chief Marketing Officer, Multinational Publisher

The Monogram Group worked on branding and marketing for a local hair salon. They updated branding and created a new logo and promotional materials. They also conducted market research and did a photo shoot, then distributed the new materials. The client was impressed with the results of the project.

“The results were positive, and both the customers and franchises are happy with the new materials. They’re timeless, so we can use them for many years without looking old or outdated.” – Salon Owner, Hair Salon

The Motion Agency was hired by a large labor union to develop its website and handle its advertising and PR. They wrote editorials and ads in local media and planned and promoted an event, all of which improved engagement. 

“The advertisement that the Motion Agency created for Labor Day became the theme for our advertising for the next calendar year. It is visually stunning and a great representation of the brand. The posts on social media throughout the weekend resonated with out followers and received some of the highest engagement numbers for posts on our page.” – Chief of Staff, Labor Union. 
 

A health insurance company hired Youtech & Associates to build and host their websites and to facilitate the creation of its new website after it renamed the company. Youtech & Associates also helped the company with SEO. The client has experienced increases in their site traffic and its domain authority since Youtech & Associates worked with the website's layout and design.

"They are excellent. Youtech has been good at communicating with us consistently each week. This keeps us on track as far as a schedule goes. They make sure we’re getting things done when they need to be finished." – Manager, Health Insurance Company

A baking company originally hired Stevens & Tate for packaging design work, but the partnership expanded to billboard and display design and PR management in addition to packaging design.

"They understand our company and they understand our brand. They’re very responsive. If I give them a task, they hit the mark and don’t misunderstand. We just understand each other and there’s no confusion." – VP of Marketing, Baking Company

A fast food restaurant enlisted Killian Branding to develop a corporate identity for them. Killian Branding helped the client pinpoint its consumer base, created marketing materials, and determined relevant touchpoints.

“They’re excellent. Overall, they have a very good approach and bring together all the pieces and present them in an organized manner, even though they’re 10,000 miles away.” – Owner, Fast Food Restaurant

C2 Creative acts as the design and branding team for a Chicago-based web development firm. They provided logos, brand messaging, website design, and other creative services for a diverse range of digital end-clients. The client noted consistent end-client satisfaction and a high rate of client retention for long relationships.

"Overall, I've appreciated C2 Creative's responsiveness and client service. The base value which we shared from the beginning, of doing great work for great people, has been held up for everything we do." - Owner, Web Development Firm

Coming of Age developed a digital strategy for a medical alert business. They provided creative messaging, strategy, and media planning. The client has experienced an increase in ROI as a result of Coming of Age's work.

"We saw big impacts and changes, and they were very influential in getting us to expand our thinking and approach." — Director of Marketing, Medical Alert Business

Conjure branded a newly-established brewing company. After narrowing down a brand identity, they materialized the brand through designs for merchandise and packaging. Their work resulted in the accrual of a social media following very early on in the engagement.

"We’ve gained quite a few followers on Facebook and Instagram." — President, Brewery Startup

A nonprofit hired Bandwidth Marketing Group for their branding services. The agency assisted in designing a logo and implementing a new brand strategy, both of which have received positive feedback from stakeholders.

"They certainly brought thoughts to the table, but they didn't just come in and say we think you also need to do X, Y, and Z. It was more a process of us working together, seeing what was possible, and deciding to expand our original scope. " —Vice President of Partnerships, Nonprofit 

JJR Marketing worked with a financial advising company, helping them update their media presence and increase brand recognition. The project included both traditional and digital marketing. For example, JJR Marketing created print materials for the financial advising company to hand out to clients and redesign the company's website to boost traffic.

“They are very good at bringing in a timeline and showing you what should be done by which date.” – Senior Partner, Financial Advising Company

Popskull completed the design of a transportation app. The agency also helped with advertising that would increase awareness of the app. They were responsible for the creative direction of the application.

"They have been open to all feedback, changing their procedures, and digging in to make sure we are achieving what we need to do." — Marketing Manager, Transportation App

A real estate firm hired Pivot Design for marketing and branding help. The agency created a branding plan, which included refreshing their website, holding different events, and creating videos and other traditional marketing campaigns. The client prides Pivot Design on how they internalize customer feedback. 

"Pivot is a rare breed — a turnkey business that can do anything. They offer a nice combination of being very creative, while running a successful business."- CEO, Real Estate Development Firm

Noble Digital produced a series of videos for an insurance company. They also created an advertising campaign. Their videos and advertisements increased ad-to-landing page conversions for the client.

“Several months after the campaign started, Noble reviewed our media data and recommended changes to optimize the efficacy of the campaign. These changes resulted in increased ad-to-landing page conversions.” – Director of Advisor Marketing & Operations, Insurance Company

The Well Advertising helped rebrand a site for an IT solutions company. They used a custom CMS to restructure the URL, manage service pages, and branded the platform. The efforts helped the business maintain their SEO value and increase their traffic and search visibility. 

"It’s a pleasure to work with them because it’s so easy." – Marketing Web Specialist, IT Solutions Company

Mabbly developed a modern, user-friendly website for a non-profit organization that captured the essence of its brand. They produced a video for the new site and archived thousands of pages they didn't compromise the client's SEO presence. The organization received significant positive feedback on its new website from users. 

"Mabbly has a very consultative and entrepreneurial approach. It is looking to truly grow with companies and grow the brand or project it is working on." – Co-Founder, Nonprofit 

A Willing Participant, Inc. provides design services for a marketing company. Their work has yielded a high rate of client loyalty. The team is exceptionally professional.

“His turnaround time is excellent.” – Senior Account Executive, Marketing Company

SEO Solutions provided a full-service marketing campaign for a real estate education program based in Utah that focused on SEO and PPC to expand their outreach. After just the first stage of the project, more than 200 of the client’s keywords ranked on the first results page. The partnership continues and the client is still satisfied with the quality of service.

“Their team is great about following through on outstanding items and integrating changes into our ongoing strategy. They’re punctual and respond promptly to questions and change requests.” — President, Real Estate Education Group

Kahoots Creative Group helped with web development for a credit bureau. Their team developed the UX/UI, conducted usability tests, and offered technical guidance. Their work significantly decreased bugs and errors.

"From a ticket problem analysis, we had a 30% drop in defects and users calling in about confusing UI, bugs, or technical aspects." – UX Designer, Credit Bureau

When a laundry products manufacturer needed design and layout experience, they hired Streng Agency. At the time, the manufacturer did not have these marketing and design skills in-house. The partnership began with Streng Agency designing a corporate brochure and went on to include logo creation and a website redesign for a new product.

"They offer fresh designs and they’re good about letting us know deadlines and encouraging us to stay on track throughout a project." – Vice President of Customer and Distributor Success, Laundry Products Manufacturing Company

Cooperate Marketing recently worked on a co-op platform for a motorcycle manufacturer. They migrated legacy data to implement a new platform for that client.

“Our system launched seamlessly, so much so that no one even noticed we’d switched to a whole new system.” —  Manager, Motorcycle Manufacturer

 

Strike 2 provided branding solutions for a narrative design-based marketing agency. The agency was looking to rebrand their identity with a new logo, font, and more. Strike 2’s branding work has so far been met with positive feedback.

“What struck me the most is how well they understood what I was telling them I wanted the brand to stand for as well as the way they synthesized the interviews with my clients. It felt spot on.” - Founder & CEO, Marketing Agency

Hustlemore ran a marketing campaign for a Chicago based cryotherapy spa. They upgraded the client’s site, implementing branding, SEO best practices, and a consistent marketing plan to promote awareness of the client’s business. The client reported that their website has moved from page four or five of relevant google search results to page one, and that their business has increased commensurately. 

“Hustlemore digs in deep and finds things that other companies don't.” – Co-Founder, Cryotherapy Spa
 

Digital Destination was hired by a Services Company to grow the Company's customer base by providing PPC on Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Digital Destination was able to grow the customer base through its effective workflow. 

"Very effective." - Marketing, Services Company

A youth non-profit that had been around for 50 years found that their messaging, image, and brand needed to be modernized. Cultivate developed their new messaging for newsletters, fundraising pitches, marketing, and social media. Additonal services they provided included designing a new website and logo.

"We've heard positive feedback from people who saw our website and our newsletters. Cultivate made a big difference for our organization, helping us transition to modern times." — CEO, Youth Non-Profit

Barbauld Agency provided website design and upkeep services for an asphalt and paving company. They're responsible for website updates and the company's PPC campaign management. The team has demonstrated an exemplary quality of work, delivering tangible results. 

"Their turnaround time is quick and we’ve seen more web inquiries too. We’re just starting to track where our inquiries are coming from. Our conversions are also up slightly." — Sales, Asphalt & Paving Company

The Harbinger Group provided web service management for a nonprofit. They oversaw the nonprofit's tactical and strategic outreach and managed its communication through advertising and geotargeted marketing services. As a result of the partnership, the nonprofit saw an increase in site visits, candidate flow, and funder support. 

"If I need something drafted, written, reviewed, or posted, The Harbinger Group is flexible and available to do it." – Officer, Nonprofit 

Mock Design Group, Inc. designed a logo for a cleaning services company. They worked to ensure that the logo represented the company and their values. The team also created business cards featuring the logo.

"The team consists of kind professionals who always made us feel comfortable when we visited their office." – Owner, Cleaning Service Company

Sparkfactor collaborated with a fragrance company to improve their website, email marketing, and online store. They assisted in maintenance and upgrades to the website. The client saw a marked increase in online sales over the course of Sparkfactor’s involvement.

“We are satisfied with the level of their production for us. They have met every expectation that we had.” – President, Fragrance Company