Where Strategy Meets Creativity: Chicago’s Top Advertising Agencies

Looking for the best advertising agencies in Chicago?

The city is home to everything from global agencies behind major brand campaigns to specialized teams focused on digital advertising, branding, media buying, and creative strategy.

The challenge is finding the one that fits your goals, budget, and way of working.
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To make that easier, we’ve compared 26 of Chicago’s top advertising agencies based on their services, specialties, pricing, and standout strengths.

Whether you need a full-service partner or support for a specific campaign, this guide will help you narrow down your options.

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How We Evaluated These Agencies

We didn’t pick agencies at random. To bring you the best advertising agencies in Chicago, we used the following criteria:

• Time in business — We considered how long each agency has been operating. Longevity often reflects stability, reliability, and a proven track record.
• Reviews & reputation — We looked at client reviews and testimonials (e.g., Trustpilot, Clutch, Google) to assess quality, communication, and reliability.
• Client base & portfolio — We reviewed the types and sizes of businesses each agency has worked with to ensure they can handle a range of needs.
• Innovation — We favored agencies that emphasize originality, modern practices, and emerging tech so their clients stay competitive.

Agencies on this list are not ranked in a strict order; the list is curated to help you compare options and find the right fit.

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The Best Advertising Agencies in Chicago: Key Services, Pricing, & Reviews

Here are the 26 best advertising agencies in Chicago, along with their core offerings, pricing info, customer reviews, and more:

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1. Designity

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Founded: 2015
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Best for teams that need ongoing, scalable creative and marketing support without the agency overhead.

If you want the breadth of a full-service advertising agency without the retainer bloat or communication gaps, Designity deserves a serious look.
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Designity is an AI-enabled, human-led Creative-as-a-Service (CaaS) platform that gives brands access to the top 1% of global Creatives and Marketers, across design, digital marketing, web, video, copywriting, SEO, motion graphics, social media management, and 100+ other services.

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Designity’s Key Services

• Social Media & Digital Ads
• SEO & Content Marketing
• Website Design & Coding
• Motion Graphics & Video
• Marketing Audit & Strategy
• Logo & Branding Design
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Designity’s Pricing

• Plans start at $5,995/month. 
• No retainers, no long-term contracts
• No hidden fees. 
• All plans include a dedicated creative and marketing team. 
• Creative Director oversight, and unlimited project requests and revisions.
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Designity’s Trustpilot Rating

4.5/5 overall. Clients highlight fast turnaround times, flexible and scalable design solutions, and a professional, communicative team. Reviewers consistently note high-quality creative output.
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Who Designity Is For

• Marketing teams that need extra creative capacity without hiring more staff.
• Companies are replacing freelancers, multiple vendors, or expensive agency retainers.
• Teams dealing with hiring gaps, turnover, or limited access to specialized talent.
• Brands looking for senior creative leadership and stronger quality control.
• Mid-market and enterprise businesses needing support across branding, web, UX/UI, content, design, and digital marketing.
• Teams that need flexible creative resources that can scale up or down as priorities change.
• Marketing and growth leaders focused on faster execution and better budget efficiency.
• Businesses that want a dedicated creative partner who works as an extension of their in-house team.
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Who Designity Might Not Be For

• May not be suitable for startups
• May not be suitable for teams looking for one marketing specialist
• May not be suitable for teams only looking for execution support or one-off projects.

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2. 50,000feet Inc.

Founded: 2001
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50,000 feet is an independent creative agency that combines strategy, branding, and storytelling to help businesses build memorable brands and impactful marketing campaigns.
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Key Services

• Advertising
• Brand strategy
• Content creation
• Creative campaigns
• Brand identity

Best For

• Mid-sized and enterprise brands
• Brand building
• Creative marketing campaigns

Cons

• Custom pricing only
• Better suited for larger budgets
• Limited pricing transparency
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.8 out of 5. 
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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3. AbelsonTaylor Group

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‍Founded: 1981
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‍AbelsonTaylor Group is a full-service healthcare advertising agency known for helping health, pharmaceutical, and wellness brands create impactful, research-driven marketing campaigns.

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Key Services

• Healthcare advertising
• Brand strategy
• Digital marketing
• Media planning & buying
• Market research

Best For

• Healthcare and wellness brands
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Medical device businesses

Cons

• Healthcare-focused expertise
• Less suited for non-healthcare brands
• Premium pricing for smaller businesses

Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 2.8 out of 5 
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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4. Ansira

‍Founded: 1919

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Ansira is a full-service marketing and advertising agency that helps brands drive growth through data, local marketing, and customer engagement strategies.


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Key Services

• Advertising
• Marketing strategy
• Local marketing
• Customer engagement
• Marketing analytics

Best For

• Enterprise brands
• Multi-location businesses
• Data-driven marketing

Cons

• Higher project costs
• Mixed client reviews
• Better suited for large organizations

Trustpilot Rating

3.2/5. Some reviewers have flagged team performance concerns on certain projects, worth reviewing recent feedback before committing.
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Pricing

Averages $75,000/project. Custom quotes available.

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5. Bader Rutter

Founded: 1974

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Bader Rutter is a B2B advertising and marketing agency that specializes in building strong brand communications for complex industries, especially agriculture and industrial sectors.


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Key Services

• B2B advertising
• Branding
• Digital marketing
• Public relations (PR)
• Social media marketing

Best For

• B2B companies
• Agriculture and industrial brands
• Technical or niche industries

Cons

• Less focus on B2C brands
• Custom pricing only
• Not ideal for small businesses with limited budgets

Reviews and Rating

Glassdoor: 3.5 out of 5 
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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6. Bandwidth Marketing

Founded: 2005
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‍Bandwidth Marketing Group is a boutique creative consultancy that helps brands grow through strategic branding, digital marketing, and design-driven storytelling.


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Key Services

• Branding
• Advertising
• Web design
• Content marketing
• Digital strategy

Best For

• Startups and growing brands
• Mid-sized businesses
• Companies seeking hands-on creative partnership

Cons

• Limited review volume
• Custom pricing only
• Smaller team capacity compared to large agencies

Review and Ratings 

Clutch: 4.9/5 from 9 reviews. Praised for creativity, strong project management, and treating clients like partners.
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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"They over performed for us as a nonprofit on a limited budget. We were thrilled with the outcome."

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7. Clique Studios

Founded: 2008

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Clique Studios is a digital transformation agency that helps brands build and optimize their online presence through strategy, design, and technology-driven solutions.


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Key Services

• Digital strategy
• UX/UI design
• Software development
• Digital marketing
• SEO

Best For

• Businesses undergoing digital transformation
• Companies needing UX and web development support
• Brands focused on improving digital performance

Cons

• Higher starting project cost
• More focused on digital/tech than advertising 
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 4.9 out of 5.

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Pricing

Starts around $10,000/project.

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"Their culture and response demonstrated a genuine commitment to me as a customer and project partner."

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8. Cramer-Krasselt

‍Founded: 1898
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‍Cramer-Krasselt is one of the oldest independent advertising agencies in the U.S., known for building bold, integrated campaigns that combine strategy, creativity, and media expertise.


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Key Services

• Advertising
• Public relations (PR)
• Brand planning
• Digital marketing
• Media buying

Best For

• Large and established brands
• Full-scale integrated marketing campaigns
• Companies seeking long-term brand building

Cons

• Custom pricing only
• Better suited for enterprise-level clients
• Less accessible for small businesses

Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.8 out of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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9. Cubicle Ninjas

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Founded: 2008

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Cubicle Ninjas is a creative design agency focused on building immersive digital experiences through branding, design, and interactive technology.


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Key Services

• Branding
• Web and app development
• Augmented reality (AR) experiences
• Video production
• UX/UI design

Best For

• Brands seeking interactive digital experiences
• Startups and mid-sized businesses
• Companies focused on modern, creative storytelling

Cons

• Smaller review base
• Limited large-scale enterprise portfolio
• Not ideal for traditional advertising needs

Google Rating

4.5/5 from 4 reviews.
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Pricing

Most projects average ~$5,000.

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10. Eicoff

Founded: 1956

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Eicoff is a performance-driven advertising agency specializing in multi-screen TV and digital campaigns, supported by strong media planning, branding, audio, and video production services.


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Key Services

• TV & digital advertising
• Media planning
• Video production
• Audio production
• Branding

Best For

• Performance-focused campaigns
• Brands using TV + digital together
• Large-scale advertising strategies

Cons

• Limited transparency on pricing
• Better suited for established brands
• Less ideal for small businesses
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.6 out of 5 based on 22 ratings. 
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Pricing

Starts around $10,000.

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11. FCB Chicago

Founded: 1873

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FCB Chicago is one of the world’s oldest advertising agencies, known for combining creativity and strategy to deliver global branding and marketing campaigns.


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Key Services

• Branding
• Advertising
• Digital marketing
• Content creation
• Social media strategy

Best For

• Global and enterprise brands
• Large-scale campaigns
• Long-term brand building

Cons

• High-budget focus
• Not suitable for small businesses
• Custom pricing only
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.6 out of 5 
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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12. HANGAR12

‍Founded: 2000

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HANGAR12 is a consumer-focused marketing and advertising agency specializing in shopper marketing, promotions, and digital campaigns backed by research and insights.
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Key Services

• Digital marketing
• Consumer promotions
• Shopper marketing
• Social media
• Market research

Best For

• Consumer brands
• Retail marketing
• Promotion-driven campaigns

Cons

• Limited enterprise case variety
• Mid-to-large budget focus
• Not ideal for niche branding work
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Reviews and Ratings 

No reviews found at the moment. 
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Pricing

Averages -$10,000.

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“They not only have the expertise, but they’re also very thorough and patient with us.”

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13. Harp Advertising + Interactive

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Founded: 1993
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Harp Advertising + Interactive is a woman-owned Chicago agency offering full-service digital marketing, SEO, PPC, web design, and creative strategy for over 30 years.


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Key Services

• Digital marketing
• SEO & PPC
• Web design
• Social media
• Creative strategy

Best For

• SMBs and mid-sized businesses
• Local and national campaigns
• Full-service digital needs

Cons

• Limited large enterprise portfolio
• Mid-range pricing may be high for startups
• Smaller global presence
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 4.0 out of 5
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Pricing

Averages ~$10,000.

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14. Havas Chicago

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Founded: 1942

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Havas Chicago is a full-service creative agency focused on fast, fearless brand building through advertising, PR, branding, and product innovation.

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Key Services

• Advertising
• Branding
• PR
• Mobile marketing
• Product design

Best For

• Enterprise brands
• Innovative campaigns
• Global marketing strategies

Cons

• High-budget focus
• Custom pricing only
• Not suited for small businesses
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 2.6 out of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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15. Huge Inc.

Founded: 1999

Huge is a global experience and design company specializing in UX, digital products, branding, and business transformation.

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Key Services

• UX/UI design
• Branding
• Web design
• Digital strategy
• Business transformation

Best For

• Tech and digital-first companies
• UX-heavy projects
• Enterprise transformation

Cons

• Premium pricing
• Not focused on traditional advertising
• Enterprise-oriented

Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.6 out of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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16. Iris Worldwide

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Founded:1999

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Iris is a global “participation agency” delivering CRM, content, social media, and B2B marketing solutions across multiple markets.


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Key Services

• CRM marketing
• Content marketing
• Social media
• B2B marketing
• Advertising

Best For

• Global brands
• CRM-driven marketing
• Multi-market campaigns

Cons

• Complex pricing structure
• Better for large organizations
• Less focus on small businesses
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Reviews and Ratings

Glassdoor: 3.3 out of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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17. Leo Burnett Chicago

Founded: 1935

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Leo Burnett is a globally recognized creative agency known for its “HumanKind” philosophy and emotionally driven advertising campaign.

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Key Services

• Advertising
• Branding
• Marketing strategy
• Campaign development
• Digital marketing

Best For

• Global brands
• Emotional storytelling campaigns
• Large-scale creative strategy

Cons

• High-cost agency
• Enterprise-focused
• Not suitable for startups
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.3 out of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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18. Merkle

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Founded: 1971

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Merkle is a global data-driven marketing agency specializing in CRM, analytics, performance media, and customer experience strategy.

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Key Services

• CRM marketing
• Analytics
• Performance media
• PPC advertising
• Customer strategy

Best For

• Data-driven enterprises
• Customer lifecycle marketing
• Large-scale digital transformation

Cons

• Expensive engagements
• Complex service structure
• Enterprise-focused only
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Reviews and Ratings 

Glassdoor: 3.5 out of 5
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Pricing

Averages ~$50,000 for comprehensive services.

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19. Ogilvy

Founded: 1948

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Ogilvy is a globally renowned advertising and branding agency offering integrated marketing, PR, social media, and event campaigns.



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Key Services

• Advertising
• Branding
• PR
• Social media marketing
• Event marketing

Best For

• Global enterprise brands
• High-budget campaigns
• Integrated marketing strategies

Cons

• Premium pricing
• Not suitable for small businesses
• Mixed client reviews depending on project scope
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Reviews and Ratings

Glassdoor:3.5/5. Described as professional and creative, best suited for high-budget campaigns.
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Pricing

Custom. Contact the Chicago office.

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20. Part Three

Founded: 1994

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Part Three is a full-service marketing agency focused on digital advertising, SEO, web development, and social media strategy.


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Key Services

• Digital advertising
• SEO
• Web development
• Social media marketing
• Branding

Best For

• Mid-sized businesses
• Digital growth campaigns
• Integrated marketing needs

Cons

• Limited transparency on pricing
• Smaller global presence
• Not enterprise-heavy
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DesignRush Rating

5.0/5 from 3 reviews.
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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21. Pivot Design, Inc.

Founded: 1992

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Pivot Design is a branding and marketing agency specializing in visual storytelling, print design, video production, and strategic marketing.



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Key Services

• Branding
• Graphic design
• Print marketing
• Video production
• Marketing strategy

Best For

• Design-focused brands
• Creative storytelling
• Mid-sized companies

Cons

• Less performance marketing focus
• Limited SEO/digital emphasis
• Mid-budget pricing
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Reviews and Ratings

Glassdoor: 3.6 out of 5
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Pricing

Averages ~$10,000.

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"Pivot is a rare breed — a turnkey business that can do anything."

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22. Plan B

Founded: 2000

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Plan B is a full-service advertising agency offering branding, content creation, virtual events, and digital marketing solutions.


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Key Services

• Branding
• Content marketing
• Video production
• Social media
• Virtual events

Best For

• Event-driven marketing
• Brand storytelling
• Mid-to-large businesses

Cons

• Custom pricing only
• Less transparent cost structure
• Not ideal for startups
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Reviews and Ratings

Glassdoor: 3.5 of of 5
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Pricing

Custom. Contact for a quote.

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23. Popskull

‍Founded: 2009

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Popskull is a strategic advertising agency focused on branding, PPC, SEM, social media, and web design.



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Key Services

• Advertising
• PPC & SEM
• Branding
• Social media marketing
• Web design

Best For

• Small to mid-sized businesses
• Digital-first campaigns
• Growth-focused brands

Cons

• Limited enterprise case studies
• Smaller team size
• Not ideal for global campaigns
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Reviews and Ratings 

Clutch: 4.0 out of 5
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Pricing

Averages ~$5,000.

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“They’re not just an advertising agency, but a partner that is helping us grow our brand.”

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24. The Mx Group

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Founded: 1988

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The Mx Group is a B2B marketing and demand generation agency offering digital campaigns, web development, and email marketing.


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Key Services

• B2B marketing
• Demand generation
• Email marketing
• Web design
• Mobile app development

Best For

• B2B companies
• Lead generation campaigns
• Mid-market businesses

Cons

• Limited B2C focus
• Smaller creative branding emphasis
• Not enterprise-heavy
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Reviews and Ratings

Glassdoor: 2.8 out of 5
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Pricing

Starts ~$5,000.

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25. VisualFizz

‍Founded: 2016

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VisualFizz is a growth-focused marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, branding, and eCommerce marketing strategies.

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Key Services

• SEO
• PPC advertising
• Branding
• eCommerce marketing
• Content marketing

Best For

• Growth-stage companies
• eCommerce brands
• Performance marketing

Cons

• Newer agency (less legacy experience)
• Smaller global footprint
• Limited enterprise case studies
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Clutch Rating

4.5/5 overall.
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Pricing

Averages ~$5,000/project.

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"VisualFizz was extremely invested in our company which is unique to find from agencies."

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26. VSA Partners

Founded: 1982

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VSA Partners is a strategic branding and creative agency known for combining design, data science, and marketing strategy for major brands.


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Key Services

• Branding
• Marketing strategy
• Advertising
• Data science
• Web design

Best For

• Enterprise brands
• Data-driven marketing
• Large-scale branding projects

Cons

• High pricing
• Enterprise-focused only
• Not suitable for startups or SMBs
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Clutch Rating

 4.9/5 overall. Strong marks for strategy, brand expertise, and project management.
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Pricing

Averages ~$25,000.

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"We loved their strategy team and their ability to understand our business."

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5 Steps to Choose the Right Advertising Agency in Chicago for Your Brand

With so many marketing and advertising agencies in Chicago to consider, here’s a quick framework to help you narrow down your options:

• Define your goal first: Are you launching a campaign, rebuilding your brand, or scaling ongoing creative output? Different goals call for different agency types.
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• Set a realistic budget: Agency pricing in Chicago ranges from around $5,000 to $75,000+ per project. Know your number before you start outreach.
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• Check third-party reviews: Reviews on Clutch, Trustpilot, and Google can show you what clients actually experienced, not just what the agency promises.
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• Ask about scalability: Can the agency grow with you, or will you need to renegotiate the scope every time your needs change?
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• Consider a subscription or CaaS model: If you need ongoing creative support rather than a one-off campaign, platforms like Designity can offer more flexibility and predictability than traditional project-based agencies.

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Find a Smarter Alternative to Chicago Advertising Agencies

Traditional advertising agencies can deliver strong work, but they may also come with high costs, rigid scopes, and long timelines.
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Designity gives Chicago brands a more flexible way to scale.
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Our AI-enabled, human-led Creative-as-a-Service platform connects you with the top 1% of global creatives and marketers, guided by seasoned Creative Directors.

Get strategy, design, copy, video, web, SEO, paid media, and more across 100+ services.
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Book a demo to start your 2-week trial with no upfront payment and see how Designity can support your next advertising campaign.

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5 FAQs About Advertising Agencies in Chicago 

Here are the answers to a few remaining questions you may have:

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1. What do advertising agencies in Chicago typically charge?

Pricing varies widely depending on agency size and scope. Boutique Chicago advertising agencies may start around $5,000 per project, while larger global agencies can average $50,000–$75,000+.

Platforms like Designity offer monthly pricing starting at $5,995/month for ongoing creative support.
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2. What's the difference between an advertising agency and a Creative-as-a-Service platform?

Traditional advertising agencies typically work on project-based retainers and specialize in campaign-driven work.

A CaaS platform like Designity provides ongoing access to a vetted creative and marketing team, including a Creative Director and Creative Project Manager, on a flexible, month-to-month basis.

It's a better fit for brands that need continuous creative output rather than one-off campaigns.
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3. Which Chicago ad agency is best for B2B brands?

Several agencies on this list specialize in B2B, including VisualFizz, The Mx Group, and Bader Rutter.

For scalable B2B creative across design, content, and digital marketing, Designity is also a strong option.
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4. How do I know if a Chicago advertising agency is the right fit?

Start by reviewing their third-party ratings on Clutch, Trustpilot, or Google. Then check whether their portfolio and client base align with your industry and goals.

Always ask about pricing transparency, communication cadence, and how they handle scope changes.
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5. Can I work with a Chicago ad agency remotely?

Yes, most of the agencies and platforms on this list work with clients nationally and internationally. Designity, for example, is fully remote and works with brands across the US and beyond.