Top 15 advertising agencies in the Midwest
15 advertising agencies in the Midwest that are operating today, each checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Who leads them, the work they can show, what they cost where they publish it, and the reason each one made the list. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- firms, ranked
- 15
- sources cited
- 72
- median years in business
- 50
- with a named leader
- 14/15
The list at a glance
Scroll sideways →| # | Firm | Based in | Since | Team | Led by | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Leo (formerly Leo Burnett)Profile | Chicago, IL | 1935 | 500+ | n/a | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 02 | HighdiveProfile | Chicago, IL | 2016 | n/a | Megan Lally | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 03 | FallonProfile | Minneapolis, MN | 1981 | n/a | Nikki Baker | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 04 | Colle McVoyProfile | Minneapolis, MN | 1935 | n/a | Jessica Henrichs | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 05 | Carmichael LynchProfile | Minneapolis, MN | 1962 | n/a | Stacy Janicki | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 06 | Laughlin ConstableProfile | Milwaukee, WI | 1976 | n/a | Anthony Romano | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 07 | BVKProfile | Milwaukee, WI | 1984 | 51–200 | Mike Voss | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 08 | VMLProfile | Kansas City, MO | 1992 | 500+ | Jon Cook | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 09 | BarkleyOKRPProfile | Kansas City, MO | 1964 | 500+ | Katy Hornaday | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 10 | Bailey LauermanProfile | Omaha, NE | 1970 | n/a | Greg Andersen | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 11 | Swanson RussellProfile | Lincoln, NE | 1962 | n/a | Brent Schott | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 12 | DonerProfile | Southfield, MI | 1937 | n/a | Jessica Henrichs | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 13 | Marcus ThomasProfile | Cleveland, OH | n/a | 51–200 | Scott Chapin | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 14 | Young & LaramoreProfile | Indianapolis, IN | 1983 | 51–200 | Tom Denari | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
| 15 | Flynn WrightProfile | Des Moines, IA | 1984 | 51–200 | Paul Schlueter | Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote. |
Where a firm has not published a price, the figure is a typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- 01
- Chicago, IL
- Since 1935
- 500+ people
Leo Burnett was founded in Chicago in 1935 and in 2025 became the anchor of Leo, the creative network of Publicis Groupe, which reports 15,000 people across 90 markets. Leo Chicago remains the network's flagship U.S. office and handles global and U.S. campaigns for McDonald's, Gatorade, Oreo and Bank of America. It is owned by Publicis Groupe.
Why it’s hereChicago's defining creative agency for 90 years; Leo Chicago won a Global Grand Effie in 2025 and the network was named Effie's most effective creative network in 2024.
Best forLarge national and global consumer brands, such as McDonald's, Gatorade, Heineken and Oreo shown on its site, that need big creative campaigns backed by a holding company's media and data teams.
UpdateIn January 2025 Publicis Groupe merged Leo Burnett with Publicis Worldwide into one network called Leo; leoburnett.com now presents the Leo Constellation.
leoburnett.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- creative · global brand campaigns · CPG and QSR · holding company: Publicis Groupe
- Named clients
- McDonald's, Gatorade, Oreo, Bank of America, Heineken, Renault, AXA
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources leoburnett.com, en.wikipedia.org
- 02
Led by Megan Lally, CEO
- Chicago, IL
- Since 2016
Highdive is an independent creative agency founded in Chicago in 2016 by Mark Gross and Chad Broude, with a second office in New York. It is best known for broadcast and Super Bowl work, including Jeep's Emmy-nominated 'Groundhog Day' spot, and its client list includes Jeep, Ram, Rocket Mortgage, State Farm and KFC.
Why it’s hereAd Age's Small Agency of the Year (Gold) in 2020 and a repeat top finisher on the USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter.
Best forNational consumer brands such as Lay's, State Farm, KFC and Jeep that want big broadcast and Super Bowl creative from an independent Chicago and New York shop founded in 2016.
highdiveus.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- broadcast creative · Super Bowl campaigns · integrated campaigns · automotive
- Named clients
- Jeep, Ram, Rocket Mortgage, State Farm, Lay's, KFC, Jersey Mike's, Boost Mobile, Build-A-Bear
- Selected work
- Jeep. Made the "Groundhog Day" Super Bowl spot, which placed #1 on the USA Today Ad Meter and earned an Emmy nomination. case study ↗
- Rocket Mortgage. Produced the "Comfortable" Super Bowl spot, which ranked #5 on the USA Today Ad Meter. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1710 · Chicago, IL · 60654
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources highdiveus.com, prnewswire.comLinkedIn ↗
- 03
Led by Nikki Baker, Chief Executive Officer
- Minneapolis, MN
- Since 1981
Fallon is a creative advertising agency founded in Minneapolis in 1981 by Pat Fallon, Tom McElligott and partners and owned by Publicis Groupe since 2000. It works under the positioning 'Human Magic', combining creative, strategy and media from its Minneapolis headquarters, and is historically known for campaigns for BMW Films, Citi, Cadillac and Arby's.
Why it’s hereHelped put Minneapolis on the national advertising map, and still operates as Publicis Groupe's Twin Cities creative shop.
Best forNational consumer brands that want a Publicis-backed creative agency for brand campaigns, with media and production in house.
UpdateMinneapolis creative agency owned by Publicis Groupe.
fallon.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- creative · brand campaigns · media · holding company: Publicis Groupe
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources fallon.com, en.wikipedia.org
- 04
Led by Jessica Henrichs, CEO, DonerColle Partners (formerly CEO of Colle McVoy)
- Minneapolis, MN
- Since 1935
Colle McVoy is a full-service branding and advertising agency at 250 North 3rd Avenue in Minneapolis, founded in 1935 and owned by Stagwell. It pairs creative with an in-house media practice and lists La-Z-Boy, Frank's RedHot, Revlon, McCormick, Dairy Queen and Target among its clients. It was shortlisted for Adweek's 2025 Midsize Agency of the Year and named a 2024 Ad Age A-List Standout.
Why it’s hereA 90-year-old Minneapolis agency recognised on Ad Age's 2024 A-List and by Adweek's Media Plan of the Year.
Best forNational consumer brands in food, home and retail, such as McCormick, Dairy Queen and La-Z-Boy, that want creative, media planning and PR from a Minneapolis agency backed by Stagwell.
UpdateIn January 2026 Stagwell combined Colle McVoy and Doner into DonerColle Partners; both agency brands continue.
collemcvoy.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand campaigns · media planning and buying · CPG and retail · holding company: Stagwell
- Named clients
- La-Z-Boy, Frank's RedHot, Revlon, McCormick, Dairy Queen, Target, 3M
- Selected work
- Frank's RedHot. Big Game campaigns with celebrity partnerships and sweepstakes; the agency reports a 69% year-over-year sales increase and 5.39B media impressions. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 250 North 3rd Avenue, Suite 400 · Minneapolis, MN · 55401 · 612-305-6000
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources collemcvoy.com, en.wikipedia.org, odwyerpr.comLinkedIn ↗
- 05
Led by Stacy Janicki, Chief Executive Officer
- Minneapolis, MN
- Since 1962
Carmichael Lynch is a creative advertising agency founded in Minneapolis in 1962, with a second office in Philadelphia, and long owned by Interpublic Group, which Omnicom acquired in 2025. It runs creative and a separate media unit, Carmichael Lynch Media, and has been Subaru of America's agency for decades; other clients include Bush's Beans, Maker's Mark and the Houston Texans. Ad Age has named it a Best Place to Work eight times.
Why it’s hereSixty-plus years in Minneapolis and the long-time agency behind Subaru's U.S. advertising.
Best forNational consumer brands in autos, food and beverage, and restaurants that want a large Minneapolis agency to run creative and media together.
carmichaellynch.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- creative · media planning (Carmichael Lynch Media) · automotive · food and beverage · holding company: Omnicom (formerly Interpublic)
- Named clients
- Subaru, Korbel, Bush's Beans, Frigo Cheese Heads, Maker's Mark, Houston Texans, Red Robin
- Selected work
- Subaru. "Beautiful Silence" campaign, which the agency lists as a One Show, National ADDY and D&AD Pencil winner. case study ↗
- Bush's Beans. "Peyton Canning" campaign, an AdFed Gold winner per the agency's site. case study ↗
- Frigo. "We Are All Cheese Heads" campaign, credited on the agency's site with Effie and Jay Chiat recognition. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 110 N. 5th St., 10th Floor · Minneapolis, MN · 55403 · (612) 334-6000
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources carmichaellynch.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 06
Led by Anthony Romano, CEO
- Milwaukee, WI
- Since 1976
Laughlin Constable is an independent full-service advertising agency headquartered at 111 East Kilbourn Avenue in Milwaukee with a second office on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Independent since 1976, it offers creative, media, PR through its LCPR unit and content through a subsidiary called Hive, and its clients include QuikTrip, True Value, Master Lock, the ASPCA and Northwestern Medicine.
Why it’s hereNearly 50 years as an independent Milwaukee agency with national retail and nonprofit accounts.
Best forRegional and national consumer brands, tourism boards and retailers (QuikTrip, True Value, Master Lock, ASPCA) that want an independent Midwest agency handling creative, media buying and PR together.
laughlin.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- full-service creative · media planning · public relations (LCPR) · retail and healthcare · independent
- Named clients
- QuikTrip, True Value, Master Lock, ASPCA, Northwestern Medicine, Bronx Zoo
- Selected work
- Travel Wisconsin. Won back the agency of record role in 2024, covering brand strategy, creative, social content and paid media, after earlier runs from 1985 to 1999 and 2009 to 2019. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 111 East Kilbourn Ave, Suite 2200 · Milwaukee, WI · 53202 · 414.270.7175
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources laughlin.com, en.wikipedia.org, lbbonline.comLinkedIn ↗
- 07
Led by Mike Voss, CEO
- Milwaukee, WI
- Since 1984
- 51–200 people
BVK is an independent advertising agency founded in Milwaukee in 1984 that states it has no holding company or private equity ownership. It reported 185 employees and $306 million in revenue for 2024 and works in six sectors: education, healthcare, travel and tourism, cause marketing, CPG and B2B. Featured clients include the Wyoming Office of Tourism, the University of Massachusetts and Moffitt Cancer Center, and it is a GSA-certified vendor.
Why it’s hereA top-20 U.S. independent by its own account, with 185 staff and destination-marketing clients such as the Wyoming Office of Tourism.
Best forTourism boards, universities, health systems and CPG brands that want an independent full-service ad agency with large-account experience.
bvk.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- travel and tourism · healthcare · higher education · cause marketing · independent
- Named clients
- Wyoming Office of Tourism, University of Massachusetts, Moffitt Cancer Center
- Selected work
- Wyoming Office of Tourism. Created the That's WY brand in 2016; its Wildly Wyoming video series beat goals by 30% with over 8M views. case study ↗
- University of Massachusetts. Brand campaign built around the line Be Revolutionary. case study ↗
- Moffitt Cancer Center. Campaign to shift perceptions and rebuild patient preference for the cancer center. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 8909 N Port Washington Rd, Suite 200 · Milwaukee, WI · 53217 · 414.228.1990
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources bvk.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 08
Led by Jon Cook, Global CEO
- Kansas City, MO
- Since 1992
- 500+ people
VML is WPP's largest creative and customer-experience network, formed in 2023 by merging VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, and traces its roots to VML, founded in Kansas City in 1992. The network reports 26,000 people across more than 150 offices in 50-plus markets, with Kansas City remaining its global headquarters. It won a Titanium Lion at Cannes 2026 for Oreo and was named Campaign's Global Network of the Year in 2026.
Why it’s hereA WPP network with global headquarters in Kansas City, 26,000 staff and 2026 honours including a Cannes Titanium Lion.
Best forLarge consumer brands that need a global WPP network for brand campaigns, commerce and customer experience across many markets, with a sizable office in Kansas City.
UpdatePart of WPP; global CEO Jon Cook was also named Global CEO of WPP Creative in February 2026.
vml.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand experience · customer experience · commerce · global creative network · holding company: WPP
- Named clients
- Oreo, KitKat, Coca-Cola, Vaseline, BIC
- Selected work
- OREO. The OREO Cows campaign, which won a Titanium Lion at Cannes in 2026. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 250 NW Richards Rd · Kansas City, MO · 64116 · +1 816 283 0700
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources vml.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 09
Led by Katy Hornaday, CEO
- Kansas City, MO
- Since 1964
- 500+ people
BarkleyOKRP is an independent advertising agency formed in 2024 when Kansas City's Barkley (founded 1964) merged with Chicago's OKRP. It has more than 600 staff, an in-house production unit called The Bananary and a media arm, MissionOne Media, with $1.1 billion in billings. The agency is a certified B Corp and describes itself as holding-company free.
Why it’s hereThe largest independent agency in Kansas City, with 600-plus staff, $1.1 billion in media billings and national accounts such as Burger King and Macy's.
Best forNational consumer brands in restaurants, retail and travel that want an independent agency of 600+ people handling creative, media buying and production under one roof.
barkleyokrp.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- integrated campaigns · media · brand strategy · restaurant and retail · in-house production
- Named clients
- Burger King, Macy's, Frontier Airlines, Red Lobster, Smoothie King, Jiffy Lube, Planet Fitness, Dairy Queen
- Selected work
- Burger King. Ran the Million Dollar Whopper promotion, an AI-assisted contest where fans designed their own Whopper for a $1 million prize. case study ↗
- Red Lobster. Built a comeback campaign fronted by the chain's CEO, which the agency describes as Red Lobster's biggest launch ever. case study ↗
- Frontier Airlines. Created the brand campaign built around a 30-year-old customer promise. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 1740 Main Street · Kansas City, MO · 64108 · +1 816 842 1500
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources barkleyokrp.com, en.wikipedia.org, adage.comLinkedIn ↗
- 10
Led by Greg Andersen, Chief Executive Officer
- Omaha, NE
- Since 1970
Bailey Lauerman is an independent, employee-owned advertising agency in downtown Omaha offering research, strategy, branding, creative, media, social and PR. It positions itself around reaching the 92 percent of Americans who live outside the ten largest cities, and its roster includes Netflix, Bosch, Cargill and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Why it’s hereMore than 50 years in Omaha as an employee-owned independent with national accounts such as Netflix and Cargill.
Best forBrands selling to consumers outside the big coastal metros, from ag and food companies like Cargill to utilities, universities and banks, that want a full-service Omaha creative agency.
baileylauerman.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · creative · media · public relations · regional consumer advertising
- Named clients
- Netflix, Bosch, Cargill, Flagstar, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, OPPD, The Joint Chiropractic
- Selected work
- Bosch. Built the Impressive Innovation Centennial Road Trip, a Route 66 activation used as a content engine to promote Bosch's first windshield wiper blades. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 1299 Farnam St., 9th Floor · Omaha, NE · 68102 · 402.514.9400
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources baileylauerman.com, clutch.co, adage.comLinkedIn ↗
- 11
Led by Brent Schott, Chief Executive Officer
- Lincoln, NE
- Since 1962
Swanson Russell is an independent advertising agency with offices at 1202 P Street in Lincoln and on Center Street in Omaha. Over roughly 60 years it has specialised in brands that 'work and play outdoors', organising its practice around outdoor recreation, agribusiness, construction and the green industry, with clients including Bushnell, Rain Bird, Arctic Cat, Minn Kota, Briggs & Stratton and Textron Aviation.
Why it’s hereThe most established Nebraska agency for outdoor, agricultural and equipment brands, with a client list that spans Bushnell to Textron Aviation.
Best forOutdoor recreation, agribusiness, construction equipment and green industry brands, such as Minn Kota, Exmark and Takeuchi, that want a specialist agency in those categories.
UpdateAlso has an Omaha office at 6464 Center Street.
swansonrussell.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- outdoor recreation · agribusiness · construction and green industry · brand campaigns · independent
- Named clients
- Bushnell, Rain Bird, Arctic Cat, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Briggs & Stratton, Textron Aviation, Exmark, Beef Checkoff
- Selected work
- Minn Kota. "Minn Kota Does Easy" campaign across video, website, digital and print ads, social and email. case study ↗
- Cattlemen's Beef Board. "Drive" campaign for the beef checkoff. case study ↗
- Takeuchi. "Control Everything" campaign for the compact equipment maker. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 1202 P Street · Lincoln, NE · 68508 · 402-437-6400
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources swansonrussell.com, clutch.co
- 12
Led by Jessica Henrichs, Chief Executive Officer, DonerColle Partners
- Southfield, MI
- Since 1937
Doner is a full-service advertising agency founded in Detroit in 1937 and headquartered in suburban Southfield, Michigan, with a long history in automotive, retail and consumer accounts. It is owned by Stagwell and describes its focus as 'growing brands at the intersection of modern and main street' for everyday American consumers.
Why it’s hereDetroit's longest-running major ad agency, approaching 90 years and now part of Stagwell.
Best forLarge retail, CPG, automotive, technology and healthcare advertisers that want a full-service Stagwell agency with offices in Southfield, Chicago and Minneapolis.
UpdateIn January 2026 Stagwell combined Doner and Colle McVoy into DonerColle Partners; the Doner brand continues within the partnership.
doner.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- full-service advertising · automotive and consumer brands · media · holding company: Stagwell
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 400 Galleria Officentre, Suite 300 · Southfield, MI · 48034
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources doner.com, en.wikipedia.org, donercolle.comLinkedIn ↗
- 13
Led by Scott Chapin, CEO
- Cleveland, OH
- 51–200 people
Marcus Thomas is an independent full-service advertising agency headquartered in Cleveland with offices in Cincinnati, Buenos Aires and Santiago. It reports nearly 200 professionals, an average client tenure of ten years and a management buyback from private-equity ownership, and delivers creative, media, digital and technology work for Dexcom, Vitamix, the Ohio Lottery, KeyBank and Jergens. It is a Google Premier Partner and has won at The One Show and the American Advertising Awards.
Why it’s hereOhio's largest independent agency by staff, with roughly 200 people and regional anchor accounts such as the Ohio Lottery and KeyBank.
Best forNational consumer, health and lottery brands that want creative, media, PR and social handled by one Cleveland agency.
mtllc.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- integrated campaigns · media · digital · healthcare and consumer brands · independent
- Named clients
- Dexcom, Vitamix, Ohio Lottery, Akron Children's, KeyBank, Jergens
- Selected work
- Dexcom. Big Game advertising campaign. case study ↗
- Ohio Lottery. Added game mechanics to the lottery's player experience. case study ↗
- Vitamix. "Loved for Lifetimes" brand campaign. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Ad Age Best Places to Work, 2025
- Silver Anvil, 2024
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 4781 Richmond Road · Cleveland, OH · 44128 · 216 292 4700
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources mtllc.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 14
Led by Tom Denari, President & CEO
- Indianapolis, IN
- Since 1983
- 51–200 people
Young & Laramore is a full-service creative advertising agency founded in Indianapolis in 1983. It runs brand strategy, proprietary research, campaign creative, digital, social and analytics, and owns a media division called EchoPoint Media. The agency is headquartered in a renovated building at 407 Fulton Street near downtown.
Why it’s hereIndianapolis' longest-standing independent creative agency, over 40 years old with media buying and research in-house.
Best forConsumer, restaurant, home and industrial brands (Steak 'n Shake, DEWALT, Merrell, Cummins) that want strategy, creative and media planning under one roof; media buying runs through its sister company EchoPoint Media.
yandl.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · creative · media planning and buying · research · digital
- Selected work
- Cummins. Forever Rising campaign introducing the 2027 X15 engine to fleet leaders across TV, an interactive digital demo, trade print, billboards, radio and social. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 407 Fulton Street · Indianapolis, IN · 46202 · 317-264-8000
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources yandl.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 15
Led by Paul Schlueter, CEO
- Des Moines, IA
- Since 1984
- 51–200 people
Flynn Wright is a full-service advertising agency headquartered in downtown Des Moines with offices in Sioux Falls and Portland. Its 101 staff cover research, strategy, creative, in-house media planning and buying, direct marketing and PR, and the agency produces broadcast, digital and out-of-home campaigns for clients in telecom, equipment, energy, retail, agriculture and tourism.
Why it’s hereThe largest locally owned advertising agency in Des Moines, in business since 1984 with an in-house media department and accounts such as Mediacom, Bobcat and the Iowa Lottery.
Best forRegional brands in utilities, ag, healthcare and tourism that want research-driven campaigns plus media, direct marketing and PR from one Des Moines shop founded in 1984, with offices in Sioux Falls and Portland.
flynnwright.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- full-service advertising · media planning and buying · broadcast creative · research · public relations
- Named clients
- Mediacom, Bobcat, Culligan, Medica, MidAmerican Energy, Fareway, Kemin, Iowa Lottery, Sammons, Advanced Drainage Systems
- Selected work
- South Dakota Corn. Research-led ethanol promotion campaign; sales of Unleaded 88 rose more than sixfold on Unleaded 88 Day. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $8,000–$30,000/mo, typical for Midwest advertising retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 1408 Locust Street · Des Moines, IA · 50309 · (515) 243-2845
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources flynnwright.com, clutch.co, businessrecord.com
478,200 advertising, public relations and related services jobs in the United States, September 2026 (preliminary).
Every firm here was checked twice.
- 01Find
Firms come from industry directories, business press, award lists and the client rosters of firms already known to do the work.
- 02Verify
A firm's own site has to be live and describe the work. A second, independent source has to agree that it exists and does it.
- 03Record
Leaders, addresses, founding years, awards and case studies are copied from a page we loaded, and each carries its link. A field stays blank until a source states it.
- 04Rank
The order is editorial: longevity, named clients, scale and a clear specialism, in roughly that weight. Firms cannot buy a position.
- 05Re-check
Every entry was re-checked on September 28, 2026, homepage captured, ownership confirmed. Firms that closed, stopped doing this work or changed hands are removed or noted in the change log below.
The featured card is paid placement for Fracs, which shares this list’s publisher. It sits outside the ranking. Read the full editorial standards, or write to lists@primortul.com with a correction or a firm we missed.
What changed at the September 2026 check
- Corrected · Leo Burnett (Leo Chicago)
Renamed Leo Burnett to Leo, the network Publicis formed in January 2025 by merging Leo Burnett with Publicis Worldwide.
Questions before you hire a advertising agency in the Midwest
- How many advertising agencies in the Midwest are on this list, and where are they?
- 15. The 15 firms are spread across Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, Omaha, Lincoln and 4 other cities. Each was checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- How do I choose between advertising agencies in the Midwest?
- Write down what done looks like. Read why each firm is on the list and keep the two or three whose reason matches your job. Ask each for one piece of work like yours, and the name of the person who would do it.
- Did any of these firms pay to be listed?
- No. Nobody pays to be ranked. The order weighs how long a firm has done the work, clients it can name, its size, and how clear its specialism is. This list has no paid card.
- How long have these advertising agencies been around?
- The oldest firm on this list states 1935 as its founding year. A year is shown only when the firm states one.
- What should I bring to a first call with an advertising agency?
- What you sell, what is not working, what done looks like, a budget range, and when you want to start. The form on this page asks for those. Asking is free. You do not have to hire anyone.
- How is this list kept current?
- Re-checked September 28, 2026. Dead sites come off. Mergers and renames are updated. Firms that belong are added. Send a correction to lists@primortul.com. If you are the firm, use the For partners form.
What the trade press is writing about advertising agencies.
Headlines, the source, the date, and a link. The article stays on the site that published it. If a feed is down, it is left off.
On advertising agencies
Google News. Headline and link only.
- MediaQuiz Appointed Exclusive Media Advertising Agency for TBS Bus TerminalDagangNews · today
- SO&U wins Outstanding Creative Advertising Agency of the Year at the 2026 BrandCom AwardsMarketing Edge · today
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Adweek
National trade feed. Headline and link only.
How to choose, what it costs, and where these firms are based.
Describe the job. One advertising agency writes back.
Tell us what you sell, what is not working, and what done looks like. We read it and ask one provider — from this list, or from the publisher’s bench — to contact you within a business day. Asking is free. You do not have to hire them. Nobody else gets what you wrote.