The Top 25 Advertising Agencies in California

The state of California is rich in history, impressive sights, and vibrant culture. This, added with the hustle and bustle in the state, can be challenging for businesses to break through the noise. 

However, advertising agencies in California can put any business on the map and position themselves as leaders in the industry. Even the entertainment sector taps agencies to help them produce trailers and commercials. That’s how much they entrust their work to the ad agencies in the state.

So, in this article, we list down 25 creative agencies in California that can bring a brand to the next level.

1. MAD Group

“Don’t be even, get mad” is the tagline for the Marketing and Advertising Design Group. It’s a play on the acronym of their agency’s name. This San Diego-based agency excels in print advertising and website design. They also follow a four-step approach for their clients, starting with listening to create a standout brand. 

By doing that, they’ll enhance the brand’s online presence, increase traffic through marketing and advertising, lastly convert visitors to customers.

Mission: to help articulate and achieve a company’s vision, to increase revenue and brand likability, to improve marketing effectiveness, to build a brand in creating positive impact, to use the Mad Marketing Formula

Clients: Flojos, Coolpad, Scuba Travel Ventures

Highlighted Services: 

• Advertising Planning
• Trade Show Preparation
• Brand Standards Manual

2. Vitro Agency

Vitro Agency is a premier challenger brand ad agency for businesses in California. The team at Vitro Agency doesn’t hold back with their methods because they’ll make sure their clients become one of the go-to brands in their industry. It’s all thanks to their no-nonsense and creative “thieves”. That’s how they can achieve their client’s expectations. 

They mold their craft in the agency and won’t settle for mediocrity. They’re determined to steal market share, so their client brand becomes the one that customers look for every time.

Mission: to seek new, uncharted, never been done before, solve the toughest issues, add value to users

Clients: Adidas, Petco, USC San Diego 

Highlighted Services: 

• Media Buying
• Retail Design
• Retouching

3. Raindrop Marketing

A friendship quote inspired founders Jacques and Adam to establish Raindrop Marketing. It was through their strong partnership and the Raindrop team, they’ve advanced Raindrop Marketing at the forefront. Plus, the employees of Raindrop Marketing are called Raindroppers and are expected to partner with their clients and create value. 

They work together with brands that value growth and are influential and impact-driven. Apart from excelling in advertising, they make their clients shine through branding and PR strategies.

Clients: Luna Grill, American Heritage, San Diego Restaurant Week

Highlighted Services: 

• Video Production & Photography
• Social Media
• Media Planning & Buying

4. Grizzly

As one of the many San Diego advertising agencies, Grizzly handles those who’ve launched their new business, assists start-ups, and joins forces with big brands. Furthermore, to show their love for their city, they have initiatives to help out the local communities. 

In helping to propel brands to the top, Grizzly uses different strategies for each client project. This way, they can increase more than just brand awareness. They’re also putting in efforts towards experiences and design to convert more leads.

Clients: Qualcomm, Gordon Rush, Nutanix

Highlighted Services: 

• Brand Voice & Messaging
• Digital Strategy
• UI/UX Design

5. Traina Design

For more than ten years, Traina Design served different clients ranging from startups to big corporations. Traina Design believes that what makes their agency the best among the rest is their visionary team that observes integrity, quality, and long-term relationships with clients. Moreover, branding and design are of utmost importance and are integrated into every part of the campaign. 

It’s part of their aim to provide a better brand experience not only just to the client but to its customers too. Since they produce exceptional designs for brands, they also have a shop to support the agency wherein they designed items like playing cards and t-shirts.

Clients: Facebook Showcase, Moto Sonora, Life Technologies

Highlighted Services: 

• Naming & Taglines
• Content Strategy and SEO
• Retail & Merchandising

6. LESS+MORE

Since 2006, founders Steve and Mike have run Less+More to bring exceptional results for their clients. The founders are art directors and bring their vision to life alongside their hardworking and passionate team. Equally important, some of their notable work involves packaging and marketing collateral. 

To do that, they have a scalable process that starts by learning about the client (Insight). Once they’ve achieved Insight, it’s time for them to strategize that will get the results. During the development phase, they find different solutions and approaches that work while collaborating with their client. They don’t stop at launching the strategy because they make sure to monitor results along the way.

Clients: Africa New Day, ScoreShuttle, InterGalactiCon

Highlighted Services: 

• Brand Concept
• Visual Identity
• Web and Mobile

7. Civilian

West Coast ad agency Civilian knows they can’t have it all, but they can get things done. That’s why Civilian chooses to partner with business, government, and nonprofit clients not only to advance efforts in increasing awareness but to make a positive impact. As exhibited in their work, outdoor advertising is an example of how they create impact for their clients. 

Part of Civilian’s branding is its flag. According to them, a flag symbolizes ownership, and that’s how they proceed with the work they offer clients and perceive their belief in doing good.

Mission: to create social change for the common good

Clients: San Diego County, Mission Hospital, San Jose Airport

Highlighted Services: 

• Video Production
• Display Advertising
• Commercial Production

8. Captura Group

Captura Group is the lone Hispanic-focused ad agency in California on this list. With that, they have bilingual capabilities to deal with the challenges of their clients. This gives them an advantage since this will provide businesses with a chance to reach their target audience locally. 

Plus, their diverse team has an understanding of their challenges and can help them boost their numbers. Since 2001, they’ve been the go-to agency for the Hispanic community and have served industries like education, hospitality, and tech.

Mission: to connect their clients with online Hispanics in ways that make sense

Clients: Knorr, Pemex, Vive Mejor

Highlighted Services: 

• Digital Media Creative
• Bilingual Content Development
• Reporting

9. Veritone One

Diverting from visual advertising channels, Veritone One offers audio advertising services that produce results. Some of their clients believe they are one of the top advertising agencies in California because they give them another channel to promote their products and services. It’s helped these clients because radio and podcast advertising paved the way for them to get more customers. 

As a testament to their work, they’re still working with their first-ever client because they maintain a healthy relationship by developing their strategies for growth.

Mission: to transform the broadcast & streaming media industry by redefining the way advertising campaigns are executed and consumed

Clients: The Black Tux, Dollar Shave Club, SimpliSafe Home Security

Highlighted Services: 

• Performance Advertising
• Podcast Advertising
• Radio Advertising

10. The Mth Degree

Steven Morris founded the Mth Degree in 1994 and remained as its lead to serve its client-partners across different industries. Through Steven Morris’s connections and partnerships with entrepreneurs and brands alike, not only does he lead the agency, but he provides consultation and advice to companies. Moreover, the agency is a leader in branding and positioning, and their campaigns led their clients to success. 

Through their methods, they’re able to produce three-digit results and raise rankings based on their work. For those who want to learn more about their process, potential clients can download their Brand Evolution toolkit.

Clients: Port of San Diego, LG, Green Flash

Highlighted Services: 

• Brand Evolution
• Innovation Guidance
• Marketing Strategy

11. Fandom Marketing

Before branching out as a full-service digital agency, Fandom Marketing started in 2011 as a social media-focused agency. Not to mention their name, they had a tagline, “growing brands with fans,” which looked beyond providing its services to clients. Since then, they’ve realized they could do more than just social media to be an all-around agency for brands all over the United States. 

The awesome unicorn team at Fandom Marketing observes a culture of cooperation, learning, and enjoyment as a result of their hard work. This further motivates them to become one of the best agencies in California.

Mission: to be awesome

Clients: Qualcomm, Wild Selections, Bumble Bee

Highlighted Services: 

• Reputation Management
• Retargeting
• Paid Search

12. Mekanism

Mekanism combines both soul and science at their core to perform their work for clients. To pull it all off, they use data to support the science behind their strategies in producing results for clients. Plus, they always innovate, make excellent designs, and integrate storytelling for their projects. 

For that, they’ve received awards for their work in production, which makes them one of the best advertising agencies in California. Besides, clients rave about the advertising company for their creativity and work ethic.

Clients: Peloton, HBO, Papa Murphy’s

Highlighted Services: 

• Integrated Advertising Campaigns
• Creative & Brand Strategy
• Digital Influencer Networks

Mekanism’s Work for Papa Murphy’s

13. Palmer Ad Agency

The Palmer Ad Agency team draws its expertise from their experiences in entrepreneurship, marketing, and industry knowledge to skyrocket business growth. So, to test the team’s skills and expertise, the Palmer Ad Agency has a nine-step process in fulfilling client needs and getting high ROI. 

They begin with communicating, determining objectives, evaluating, and conducting market research. By then, they develop a strategy and creative designs and ensure that it undergoes a quality check. Finally, at launch, they implement all plans, and after which, they remain accountable for anything that happens in the campaign.

Clients: Green Street Solar Power, Health Plan of San Joaquin, Bank of Stockton

Highlighted Services: 

• Communication
• Establish Objectives
• Creative Development

14. HUb San Francisco

In 2002, HUb San Francisco started its journey into becoming one of the best advertising agencies in California. Since the agency’s founding, HUb continuously looks for ways to innovate since they don’t settle for “safe.” They’ve learned from the challenges agencies faced back in 2002 when more businesses owned domains. 

From there, they never cease on improving their strategies and offering services that will ensure its client’s growth. Through their successful campaigns and strategies, they were able to bag awards from different advertising award bodies and industry leaders.

Clients: A’s Green Collar Baseball, Credible, Oculus

Highlighted Services: 

• Media Buying
• Reporting & Analytics
• Bounty Hunting

15. MUH-TAY-ZIK / HOF-FER

Ingrained in the team’s minds are the two words they also imbue in their clients, “get chased.” They reinforce this mindset so they could provide compelling designs and strategies for their clients. In turn, customers of their clients will want more of what they’re offering. 

In their office, they follow ten commandments that incorporate the Hippocratic oath and staying creative at all times. And also remembering that brands change and visuals matter. As a matter of fact, one of their most popular campaigns is the Audi Driver’s Test. It’s to promote Spiderman: Homecoming that won a Silver in the Clio Awards.

Clients: Intel, Audi, Golden State Warriors

Highlighted Services: 

• Brand Positioning
• Communication Planning
• Experience Design

MUH-TAY-ZIK / HOF-FER’s Work for the Golden State Warriors

16. Cutwater SF

Cutwater derives its name from the meaning of cutwater. It means they want to help the brand become a disrupter in the industry by refining them. And becoming more apparent as they launch campaigns. This San Francisco-based advertising agency is an agency of a few words. But what they emphasize is the power of storytelling in their work, and they harness creativity to make the brand’s impact more distinct. This way, they can execute well-thought-out campaigns with the client’s interests.

Clients: Google, Ray-Ban, Jeep

Highlighted Services: 

• Integrated Production
• Identity & Design
• Creative Campaign Development

17. Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein are two of the biggest names in the advertising industry that their agency has earned the title of being one of the best advertising agencies in California. The agency works on the belief called “mass intimacy” where they expose the brand to millions of people, but make the brand feel unique only to their client. This way, they can get familiar with the brand, become a supporter, and act upon the brand’s intentions. 

Plus, this helps the agency to produce value for its clients. Another thing that gives the agency purpose is its “Do Goodby & Silverstein” initiative. They aim to help communities and people through design and production.

Mission: to create experiences that reach millions and even billions, but seem to only speak to their clients

Clients: Panera, Tostitos, Sonic

Highlighted Services: 

• Creative Development/Execution
• Production
• Brand Strategy

Goodby Silverstein & Partners’ Work for Sonic

18. Doremus

Value matters most to the crew in Doremus. They’re one of the top B2B advertising agencies in California, NY, England, Germany, and China, giving brands from different regions to become global. So they stop at nothing to get the word out there regarding their clients as well. 

As seen from case studies, they’ve gained recognition from the big names in the media and tapped client customers to give brands a push in the right direction. In doing so, they use the Doremus Network Analysis. It’s a technology they developed to provide insights resulting in practical communication approaches.

Clients: Microsoft, Bing, Net App

Highlighted Services: 

• Creative Solutions & Services
• Brand Architecture & Development
• Business Intelligence & Analytics

19. Sensis Agency

Before its clients knew Sensis Agency, they began as Focus Multimedia in 1998, focusing on web design. Between 1998 to 2007, they’ve partnered with McCann for a campaign, won awards, bagged new clients, expanded the team, and rebranded as Sensis. Since then, the agency has earned more recognition and became an AOR for several clients. 

Through their experience, they’ve shied away from the tenets of traditional advertising and focused on taking action to change people’s perception of the brand. It’s what makes them different from other agencies.

Clients: Sempra Energy, Cal State LA, Cap Metro

Highlighted Services: 

• Digital Ads
• Budget/Channel Allocation Modeling
• Business Analysis/Technical Architecture

20. Something Massive

The Something Massive team juggles fun and hard work in their agency. None of their work is done half-heartedly, and it shows in their work. They also captured what the client needed to position themselves as a leader in their industry and exceeded expectations to produce something massive for their clients. 

Not to mention, for the Harmless Harvest campaign, they raised brand awareness to 10% and increased purchase intent. As exemplified in those results, they’ve earned some awards for previous campaigns or recognitions from award-giving bodies.

Clients: Singapore Airlines, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Harmless Harvest

Highlighted Services: 

• Positioning & Identity
• Communication Planning
• Quarterly Planning

21. 180LA

It’s essential for 180LA to make a shift so they can create a different perspective for their clients. It’s part of their approach in wanting to stir up conversations and change minds. That’s why their constant challenge is to reframe, and that reflects their work.

One of their strong suits is to create a connection by tapping into stories and experiences that effectively result in people changing their perspectives. That’s how they make long-term partnerships with their clients. And that’s what makes them one of the top advertising agencies in California.

Mission: to get the world talking

Clients: University of Phoenix, Postmates, Hallmark

Highlighted Services: 

• Strategic Intelligence
• Creative Services
• Production

180LA’s Work for Hallmark

22. Team One

Having realized the rising number of affluent customers, Team One promotes the idea of learning more about these customers. Plus, they want these customers to experience the lifestyle they so deserve, not by the things they own. Since 2010, they strive to learn more about their client’s customers better because they want to make a difference. It’s through relentless research and communication. 

That’s not the only passion the agency intends to pursue. Part of their work culture focuses on equality for women and becoming allies to the LGBT community and working moms. Plus, they also aim to become a bridge to help local communities make a positive influence and impact.

Clients: Lexus, Expedia, HSBC

Highlighted Services: 

• Brand Consultancy
• Interactive/Digital Services
• Social Media and Digital

23. Ignition Creative

Ignition Creative wants to show the world their accomplishments through the work they’ve created for big clients. They’ve worked with big names from the entertainment and gaming industry. They’re a fierce competitor among the other agencies on this list because they’ve demonstrated their expertise in AV and digital productions. 

The agency also has an office in London where they can widen their reach. They’ve also astounded audiences through their work and have earned praise from Cannes Lions, The Webby Awards, Ogilvy Awards, among many others.

Clients: Hulu, Google, NBC

Highlighted Services: 

• 2D/3D Animation
• Audience Engagement
• Sentiment Analysis

24. Create Advertising Group

If you can recognize trailers for The Crown or Toy Story 4, Create had a hand in making you excited. Many consider Create as one of the top advertising agencies in California because they’ve produced commercial spots and trailers for the best shows and films. 

The Create team pours all efforts to exceed client expectations by going beyond the confines of creativity. They’re not only passionate about advertising and marketing. Create Better is their creative council aimed to make a difference in local communities. Likewise, they seek to become sustainable, welcome diversity, and enhance their team’s skills.

Clients: HBO, Disney, Sony

Highlighted Services: 

• Theatrical Marketing
• Game Marketing
• Television Marketing

Create Advertising Group’s Work for Sony

25. 72andSunny

To bring about a positive impact, 72andSunny runs on the belief of “unignorable creativity.” It’s the one thing clients need to stand out in the attention economy. In achieving that, they team up not just with each other but alongside their clients. Additionally, to produce their positive impact, they allow self-expression and personal growth. 

Aside from being one of the advertising agencies in California, 72andSunny also caters to a global client base and audience so they could employ unignorable creativity elsewhere.

Clients: NFL, Instagram, ESPN

Highlighted Services: 

• Creative Development
• Strategy and Production
• Social Media

72andSunny’s Work for ESPN