Best Advertising Agencies & Ad Companies in the USA

United States Advertising Agencies & Advertising Companies

From the high-energy ad studios of New York and Los Angeles to innovative agencies emerging in Austin, Chicago, and Atlanta, the United States remains a global hub for advertising creativity. U.S. advertising agencies don’t just craft campaigns—they shape culture, drive trends, and transform brands. Across industries, these firms are helping startups find their voice, guiding established brands through reinvention, and increasingly offering outsourced, part-time, fractional, and virtual advertising solutions that match the needs of modern businesses.

At Digital Reference, we focus on agencies that combine strategic vision, creativity, and ethical leadership. Our curated list highlights founder-led and principal-driven teams that prioritize radical authenticity, transparency, and human-centered leadership, delivering results while shaping the future of advertising in the U.S.

Before diving in, here’s Our Methodology.

We don’t scrape directories or recycle generic “top agency” lists. Instead, we conduct hands-on research and evaluation, assessing agencies based on:
🔍 Depth of research into campaigns, clients, and positioning
🧠 Creativity, originality, and strategic clarity
🤝 Leadership quality, founder vision, and team culture
📍 Geographic diversity across the United States
🗣️ Commitment to transparency, authenticity, and ethical collaboration
🎥 Alignment with the future of work—including fractional and virtual models

We also spotlight the leaders behind each agency, because lasting impact comes from people with a clear point of view.

Now, let’s meet the advertising agencies defining how American brands connect with audiences.

🌟 Meet the Top USA Advertising Agencies and Their Leaders

Ampersand

What they do:
Ampersand delivers strategy-driven advertising and brand campaigns with an emphasis on clarity, creativity, and measurable impact. They craft campaigns that resonate and drive results for diverse industries.

Who they work with:
Brands of all sizes, including consumer goods, lifestyle, and B2B sectors seeking innovative advertising strategies.

Operating model:
Fractional, outsourced, and full-service campaigns, often embedded with client teams for integrated collaboration.

Cindy Montgomery, Founder and CEO

Cindy Montgomery is a visionary leader and creative strategist. She has built Ampersand on principles of transparency and innovation, helping brands tell authentic stories that resonate with audiences. Her approach emphasizes collaboration and insight-driven creativity.
🎯 Leadership rooted in authentic storytelling
🧠 Strategic thinking for brand positioning
🌱 Inclusive and transparent agency culture

Jeff Montgomery, President

Jeff Montgomery ensures operational excellence and strategic alignment at Ampersand. He balances creative ambition with disciplined execution, ensuring campaigns achieve measurable results.
💡 Expertise in integrated campaign management
📊 Results-driven marketing leadership
🤝 Client partnership and collaboration

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THIS IS RED

What they do:
THIS IS RED blends creative strategy and advertising with a focus on bold, original campaigns that make brands memorable.

Who they work with:
Mission-driven organizations, challenger brands, and companies looking to stand out in competitive markets.

Operating model:
Fractional, project-based, and strategic advisory engagements.

Jeff Myers, Principal, Creative & Strategy

Jeff Myers leads with a combination of strategic insight and creative originality. He emphasizes authenticity in every campaign, ensuring that client messaging feels genuine while achieving business goals.
✨ Creative leadership that prioritizes authenticity
🧭 Strategy-informed storytelling
🎨 Bold and memorable campaign design

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Grow and Convert

What they do:
Grow and Convert specializes in conversion-focused content marketing and advertising. Their campaigns are data-driven and designed to turn traffic into loyal customers.

Who they work with:
Startups and growth-stage companies looking for measurable marketing impact.

Operating model:
Fractional, project-based, and long-term partnerships with clients.

Benji Hyam, Co-Founder

Benji Hyam combines analytics and creativity, ensuring campaigns are both effective and innovative. He prioritizes transparency and clear communication, echoing Digital Reference’s values.
🎯 Data-driven marketing strategies
🧠 Strategic planning for growth
🤝 Transparent collaboration with clients

Devesh Khanal, Co-Founder

Devesh Khanal ensures that every campaign is optimized for performance, integrating creative execution with measurable outcomes.
📊 Analytical approach to marketing
💡 Creative strategy integration
🌱 Team-oriented leadership

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Local Leap Marketing

What they do:
Local Leap Marketing focuses on community-driven advertising and marketing solutions that amplify local brands in their markets.

Who they work with:
Small and medium businesses seeking to grow influence locally while scaling nationally.

Operating model:
Project-based and fractional advertising leadership.

Ryon Gross, Business Owner & Marketing Consultant

Ryon Gross blends strategic insight with local market expertise, creating campaigns that drive real impact. He emphasizes authenticity, measurable growth, and client-centered solutions.
📍 Local market specialization
🎯 Strategic advertising guidance
🤝 Hands-on client collaboration

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Colossus

What they do:
Colossus creates high-impact, integrated advertising campaigns that combine creativity with measurable performance.

Who they work with:
Growth-oriented brands and companies seeking innovative ad campaigns.

Operating model:
Project-based, fractional, and full-service engagements.

Jonathan Balck, Co-Founder and Managing Director

Jonathan Balck focuses on strategic creativity and leadership, ensuring campaigns are both bold and effective. He champions transparency, collaboration, and measurable outcomes.
🎨 Creativity meets strategy
🧩 Team-led innovation
📊 Performance-focused execution

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Cintri

What they do:
Cintri specializes in creative advertising, motion design, and digital storytelling, delivering visually compelling campaigns.

Who they work with:
Brands seeking innovative campaigns that combine design and strategic messaging.

Operating model:
Fractional and project-based creative leadership.

Evan Schwartz, Co-Founder

Evan Schwartz focuses on strategic growth and campaign innovation, helping clients achieve measurable success while staying true to their brand voice.
💡 Creative leadership for growth
🧭 Strategic advertising insight
🎯 Results-driven execution

Mark Hendry, Co-Founder

Mark Hendry ensures smooth operations and high-quality creative outputs, integrating strategy with design for consistent results.
🎨 Operational excellence
📊 Measurable campaign outcomes
🤝 Collaborative leadership

Kevin Richetelli, Co-Founder, Creative Director, Lead Motion Designer

Kevin Richetelli leads creative execution, including motion design and campaign visuals. His work ensures campaigns are visually engaging, innovative, and authentic.
🎬 Motion design expertise
🖌️ Creative direction leadership
🌱 Authentic storytelling

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Plaid Moose Creative

What they do:
Plaid Moose Creative delivers branding, advertising, and visual storytelling solutions tailored to each client.

Who they work with:
Small-to-mid-market brands seeking clarity and creative impact.

Operating model:
Fractional and project-based creative leadership.

Greg McCurry, Co-Owner

Greg McCurry focuses on strategy-driven branding and creative leadership, helping clients align vision with execution.
🧠 Strategic thinking
🎯 Brand clarity focus
🤝 Collaborative team culture

Tiffany (Tiffany Winter) Beitler, Owner & CMO

Tiffany Winter leads creative strategy and marketing execution, championing campaigns that are authentic, engaging, and results-driven.
🎨 Creative campaign leadership
💡 Strategy-focused marketing
🌱 Inclusive team mentorship

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Bolt Marketing

What they do:
Bolt Marketing creates fast-moving, performance-oriented advertising campaigns for modern brands.

Who they work with:
Growth-driven organizations looking for measurable advertising impact.

Operating model:
Fractional, virtual, and project-based campaigns.

Gabriella Gruber, Co-Founder & CMO

Gabriella Gruber blends strategic vision with executional precision, delivering campaigns that are both creative and effective.
🎯 Performance-driven advertising
💡 Strategic campaign leadership
🤝 Transparent client collaboration

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MJ2 Marketing

What they do:
MJ2 Marketing specializes in digital advertising and integrated campaign strategy, combining creativity with measurable results.

Who they work with:
Brands seeking modern advertising approaches with clear ROI.

Operating model:
Project-based, fractional, and partnership-led engagements.

Megan (Burge) James, President and Digital Marketing Strategist

Megan James leads with a data-informed, strategic mindset, ensuring campaigns are visually compelling and business-focused. Her leadership mirrors Digital Reference’s emphasis on authenticity and measurable impact.
🧠 Strategic advertising insight
🎯 ROI-focused execution
🤝 Authentic, transparent leadership

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Why The Focus on the Professionals Behind The Agency Matters

Across the United States, these advertising agencies are shaping cities, industries, and careers. They prove that fractional, outsourced, and virtual advertising talent isn’t a compromise—it’s a competitive advantage.

At Digital Reference, we support this ecosystem by transforming how trust is built in professional services. Through video resumes and transparent professional reference tools, we help advertising leaders show who they really are—not just what’s on paper.

👇 Continue exploring Digital Reference resources:

• Marketing Strategy Consulting Services in the USA
• Customer Research Consulting Services in the USA
• Digital Marketing Consulting Services in the USA

If you’re a founder, creative leader, or organization ready to work more authentically, Digital Reference is here to help you tell your story—clearly, honestly, and on your terms.