Top Advertising Agencies in Chicago
Chicago’s creative scene runs from the storied “Madison Avenue-of-the-Midwest” on Michigan Avenue to the fast-growing startup blocks of Fulton Market. Whether you’re a Fortune 500 brand in the Loop or a SaaS newcomer in 1871, partnering with a Chicago advertising agency can amplify your reach across the city’s deep media, sports, and retail ecosystems.
Clutch makes the search simple: every profile here includes in-depth client reviews, service focus data, and verified work samples. Use our filters to narrow agencies by hourly rate, project budget, industry expertise, or neighborhood—then connect directly with teams that fit your goals.
Looking beyond Chicago? Explore the broader list of Top Advertising Companies, compare creative talent in nearby Milwaukee agencies, or view specialized Chicago healthcare advertising agencies for regulated markets.
Looking for a Web Design partner for your project? Check out our Top Web Design Companies in Chicago!
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 354 projectsSmartSites is an Advertising Agency specializing in Paid Media and Marketing services, delivering impactful advertising solutions. Based on reviews, 100% of clients commend their excellent customer service, responsiveness, and professional project management. Notably, 75% of reviews highlight their effectiveness in optimizing online presence and increasing traffic, reinforcing their reputation for achieving measurable results.
$1,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 8 projectsVersion2 is an advertising agency specializing in programmatic advertising services, offering solutions in media buying, paid media, and branding. With an impressive track record, 100% of feedback highlights their capability in delivering targeted campaigns and innovative approaches. Clients commend their professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to drive significant performance improvements, such as CPMs as low as $2 and a 20% increase in sales.
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr250 - 999Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 81 projectsNinja Promo is an advertising agency specializing in paid marketing, branding, and social media management. They have received a mix of feedback, with around 67% positive reviews highlighting improved lead quality, efficient ad spend, and strong project management. However, 33% of the reviews indicate issues with campaign execution and communication. Ninja Promo is noted for aligning closely with client goals and delivering comprehensive advertising solutions.
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 339 projectsJives Media is an advertising agency offering advertising services, with a focus on SEO, PPC, and paid marketing. The reviews indicate a generally positive sentiment, with approximately 86% of clients highlighting effective project management, timely deliverables, and improved campaign performance. A noteworthy 14% of reviews expressed dissatisfaction with communication and strategy alignment. The company is praised for its expertise and seamless integration with client teams.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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MBuy is a media planning and buying agency. The team focuses on Media Planning & Buying and Advertising and is in Chicago, Illinois.
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$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Upshot is an Advertising company. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the team offers Advertising and Branding.
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Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 16 projectsHotspex Media is an advertising agency providing comprehensive advertising services, including digital marketing, media buying, and branding. Their reviews reflect overwhelmingly positive feedback, with emphasis on their strategic insights, efficient project management, and innovative use of behavioral data for targeted advertising. Approximately 90% of the reviews highlight their exceptional communication skills and ability to deliver measurable improvements in key performance indicators.
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Serves Chicago, ILServices provided
See all 21 projectsCorkboard Concepts is an advertising agency providing services in digital marketing, PPC advertising, and SEO. They have consistently received positive feedback, with 100% of reviewers praising their project management, customer service, and local presence. Clients value their personable approach and ability to generate website traffic and leads, despite being a relatively young company.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Midsize Advertising company CBD Marketing, is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The team provides Advertising and Content Marketing.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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RPM Advertising is an Advertising company. They offer Advertising and Branding and were founded in 1994. The company is in Chicago, Illinois.
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$25,000+Undisclosed50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Aisle Rocket is a web design company. They focus on Web Design and Advertising and were launched in 2010.
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$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Advertising company Tridence Digital Marketing Agency is located in Jacksonville Beach, Florida and Chicago, Illinois. They focus on Advertising and Branding.
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$50,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Gyro, a web design company, was established in 1981. The agency specializes in Web Design and Digital Strategy.
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$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Right Hat is an Advertising company founded in 2006. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
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Launched in 2000, Marketing Semiotics Inc. Is a small Advertising company in Chicago, Illinois. Their team offers Advertising and Branding.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Marketing Srbija is a SEO company. They were launched in 2016 and offer Search Engine Optimization and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Pixel Web Master is a social media marketing firm. Founded in 2021, their team offers Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
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$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Add Chapter is a branding company. Founded in 2010, the company is located in Chicago, Illinois and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Their services include Branding and Advertising.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Captura Group, an Advertising company, was established in 2001. The company specializes in Advertising and Content Marketing, and is small.
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$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Branding company LoSasso Integrated Marketing is in Chicago, Illinois. Their services include Branding and Content Marketing.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Founded in 2012, One North Interactive is a SEO agency. Their team offers Search Engine Optimization and Web Design.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Launched in 1988, CIVILIAN Agency, a small Marketing Strategy company, is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Their team focuses on Marketing Strategy and Advertising.
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$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Advertising company Rocketnative was established in 2014. The team offers Advertising and Pay Per Click and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Magnet 360 is an Advertising company. They provide Advertising and Branding and were established in 2001. The agency is based in St. Louis Park, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Slack and Company is a midsize Chicago, Illinois-based SEO agency. The team focuses on Search Engine Optimization and Web Design.
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$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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CG Life is a branding company. Their midsize team is based in Chicago, Illinois and San Diego, California. Their services include Branding and Public Relations.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Established in 1966, Kelly Scott Madison is a media planning and buying company. The midsize team offers Media Planning & Buying and Marketing Strategy.
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$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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SCOUT Marketing is an Advertising company. Established in 1999, the agency is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and Chicago, Illinois. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999Chicago, IL
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In New York, New York and Atlanta, Georgia, 360i is an Advertising company. The team specializes in Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999Chicago, IL
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Ketchum is an Advertising company. They are headquartered in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois and have large team. They offer Advertising and Branding.
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$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Innocean USA is a Huntington Beach, California-based Advertising company. Founded in 2005, the team offers Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999Chicago, IL
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Launched in 2015, Mirum Agency is a large Advertising company. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999Chicago, IL
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Young & Rubicam Group is a social media marketing company. They were established in 1923, and their services include Social Media Marketing and Advertising.
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$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Arc Worldwide is an Advertising company founded in 2004. The team offers Advertising and Branding and is in Chicago, Illinois.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Gertrude Inc. Is an Advertising and branding agency founded in 2005. The team provides Advertising and Branding.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Chicago, IL
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AbelsonTaylor is a Chicago, Illinois-based Advertising company. The team offers Advertising and Digital Strategy.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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PACO Collective is an Advertising company. The team focuses on Advertising and Media Planning & Buying, and the company is based in Chicago, Illinois.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Chicago, IL
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CDM Media is a Marketing Strategy company founded in 2007. Their team focuses on Marketing Strategy and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Chicago, IL
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The Sandbox Agency is an Event Marketing company launched in 2014. Their team offers Event Marketing and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Havas Chicago is an Advertising company launched in 1942. The team focuses on Advertising and Branding and is in Chicago, Illinois.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Oak Brook, IL
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Based in Oak Brook, Illinois, Core-Rx Communications is an Advertising and Marketing Strategy company. Their services include Advertising and Marketing Strategy.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Chicago, IL
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Integral Ad Science is an Advertising company. They provide Advertising and Branding and were launched in 2009.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Web Engine, an Advertising company, was founded in 2018. The firm specializes in Advertising and Branding.
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$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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Jacobson Rost is a midsize Chicago, Illinois-based branding firm. The team offers Branding and Packaging Design.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Carol Fox & Associates is an Advertising company launched in 1994. The company focuses on Advertising and Digital Strategy, and is small.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Burr Ridge, IL
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Unimar Design is an Advertising company headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois. They offer Advertising and Public Relations and were launched in 2013.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
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THE BRNDHAUS PL-ZEN is a small Chicago, Illinois-based Advertising company. The team provides Advertising and Branding.
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Undisclosed$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Branding firm Otherwise is based in Chicago, Illinois. They offer Branding and Advertising and were established in 1990.
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Undisclosed$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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Advertising company 88 Brand Partners is located in Chicago, Illinois. They specialize in Advertising and Branding.
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$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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ALT TERRAIN is a small Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Event Marketing company. Their services include Event Marketing and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
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Inverse Marketing is a branding agency. The company is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Their services include Branding and Marketing Strategy.
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$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Franklin Park, IL
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Founded in 2011, We SEO Pro is a social media marketing company. The agency focuses on Social Media Marketing and Advertising.
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UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
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Shaparak Marketing, an Advertising company, is based in Chicago, Illinois. They offer Advertising and Branding and were launched in 2016.
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$1,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Lombard, IL
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Turf Clicks is a web design company. Established in 2022, the company specializes in Web Design and Advertising.
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$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
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BackPocket Agency is a Content Marketing company. They are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and have small team. They specialize in Content Marketing and Graphic Design.
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$250,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
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9Rooftops is a midsize Chicago, Illinois-based Advertising company. The team specializes in Advertising and Branding.
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List of the Top 15 Chicago Advertising & Marketing Agencies
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$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.016/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising20% Marketing60% Other -
$25,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.016.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising40% Marketing40% Other -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.8/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Advertising65% Marketing20% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
38/40.019.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising50% Marketing40% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.017.8/20 Reviews9.6/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising35% Marketing55% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
30.1/40.016.2/20 Reviews7.2/10 Clients & Experience6.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Advertising70% Marketing5% Other -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
32.3/40.015.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience6.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising55% Marketing35% Other -
$75,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
34.5/40.015.6/20 Reviews9.7/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Advertising55% Marketing30% Other -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
26.6/40.016.2/20 Reviews5.4/10 Clients & Experience5.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Advertising35% Marketing -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
32.4/40.020/20 Reviews5.7/10 Clients & Experience6.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising40% Marketing50% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
31/40.015.6/20 Reviews8.2/10 Clients & Experience7.1/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising55% Marketing35% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
29.7/40.016.2/20 Reviews6.1/10 Clients & Experience7.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising70% Marketing20% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
27.9/40.016.2/20 Reviews6.5/10 Clients & Experience5.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Advertising50% Marketing10% Other -
$25,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
30.4/40.015.8/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising45% Marketing35% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
31.4/40.015.8/20 Reviews8.2/10 Clients & Experience7.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising60% Marketing30% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Lombard, IL
Ability to deliver
29.1/40.015.6/20 Reviews7.9/10 Clients & Experience5.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising50% Marketing40% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
25.3/40.016.2/20 Reviews4.2/10 Clients & Experience4.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
34% Advertising66% Marketing -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
27.2/40.017.4/20 Reviews4.4/10 Clients & Experience5.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising55% Marketing35% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
24.8/40.016.2/20 Reviews2.8/10 Clients & Experience5.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising80% Marketing -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
30.2/40.016.2/20 Reviews8.1/10 Clients & Experience5.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising45% Marketing45% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
26/40.016.2/20 Reviews5.2/10 Clients & Experience4.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising40% Marketing40% Other -
$5,000+$200 - $300 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
29.4/40.015.8/20 Reviews8/10 Clients & Experience5.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Advertising30% Marketing40% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
21.4/40.016.2/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Advertising75% Marketing -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
22.1/40.016.8/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Advertising45% Marketing30% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
27.7/40.013/20 Reviews7.9/10 Clients & Experience6.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Advertising20% Marketing65% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
32.2/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience5.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising10% Marketing80% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
20.2/40.016.2/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience4/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Advertising20% Marketing60% Other -
$25,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Downers Grove, IL
Ability to deliver
20.1/40.014.6/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising60% Marketing30% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
22.1/40.016.2/20 Reviews0.7/10 Clients & Experience5.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising50% Marketing40% Other -
$10,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
29.5/40.016.2/20 Reviews8.4/10 Clients & Experience4.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Advertising10% Marketing80% Other
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Chicago Advertising Agency FAQs
Local expertise is invaluable. Chicago-based advertising agencies understand Midwestern consumer values, seasonal sports spikes, and the city’s diverse neighborhood cultures—from the foodie crowd in West Loop to finance professionals in LaSalle Street. They also maintain relationships with area influencers, production houses, and media reps, giving your campaigns faster placement and authentic reach. If you need quick on-site shoots or real-time collaboration, a nearby team beats a remote partner every time.
Rates vary thanks to key variables like campaign timeline, scope of services, and agency reputation. Based on Clutch pricing data, clients can expect:
- Monthly retainer for projects like standard integrated branding and media management: $8,000 – $25,000
- Project-based campaign common for one-offs like product launches or rebrands: $15,000 – $100,000+
- Hourly consulting for strategy sessions and creative direction: $150 – $300/hr
Compared to New York or L.A., many marketing agencies in Chicago offer competitive pricing while maintaining big-market talent. Before committing to any partnership, make sure to request and review the quote for your project to ensure financial viability.
Thanks to Chicago’s dynamic and diverse economy, many local agencies work across a broad spectrum of markets, mainly:
- Food and beverage (home of Kraft Heinz, McDonald’s HQ)
- Healthcare and life sciences anchored by Northwestern Medicine
- Finance, insurance, and fintech along LaSalle Street
- Manufacturing and logistics tied to O’Hare’s transport hub
- Sports and entertainment—from the Bulls to Lollapalooza
Many boutique firms also specialize in niches like B2B SaaS, nonprofit outreach, or multicultural marketing.
- Guaranteed results without data or testing plans
- Vague pricing or hidden mark-ups on media buys
- Limited understanding of Chicago’s regional media landscape
- High staff turnover—constant account manager changes can stall momentum
- One-size-fits-all proposals that ignore your industry or audience
If you notice any of these signs, keep searching—Clutch hosts hundreds of vetted options.
- Define your project’s objectives and needs—brand awareness, lead gen, or omnichannel campaigns.
- Review Clutch profiles for relevant case studies and verified client feedback.
- Check service lines: Are they primarily an “ad agency in Chicago” or a “digital marketing agency in Chicago”? How is their track record with web, SEO, and PPC?
- Compare team size, preferred tools, and cultural fit during discovery calls.
- Use Clutch filters for budget, industry, and “Works with: Small Business” to shortlist 3–5 contenders.
Pro tip: Ask about local vendor partnerships (studios, printers) that can streamline production. While it’s not a major essential, having established partnerships can be a plus.