The 2016 calendar year is upon us. This year we will elect a new president, witness the retirement of Kobe Bryant, and watch Batman and Superman share the big screen for the first time. But what about your business? If you’re looking to make 2016 your best year yet, perhaps you’re on the hunt for the best Los Angeles marketing agency to help you realize your full potential within the increasingly competitive L.A. business landscape.
As the founder and CEO of Coalition Technologies, one of the most successful online marketing agencies in Southern California, I would like to take a few moments to outline the merits of my company, while also helping you to gain a better understanding of some of the other local agencies, so that you can make an informed choice. No, I won’t be slandering or smearing any of the other agencies out there, because that’s not my goal here. I respect your time, and I recognize that my agency isn’t the ideal choice for every client. So I want you to have a well-rounded idea of your options.
The best advice I can give you is to do your homework. This is a critical financial investment, so don’t walk into it blindly. When determining the best Los Angeles marketing agency for your online business, there are a number of essential factors that you must consider. For instance:
- How many years has the agency been in business?
- What are their existing and former clients saying about them?
- Does their track record demonstrate a consistent pattern of success that exceeds that of the competition?
- Do they offer a comprehensive range of important marketing services (each administered by specialized experts in their respective niche), or do they focus on a singular discipline like SEO, PR, or link building?
Before I start breaking down the best agencies individually, I would like to point out that the following list was not assembled arbitrarily. I have come into contact with a myriad of local agencies, and I have only included those which are highly lauded by my own clients, colleagues, and contacts. And though some are clearly better than others, these agencies all make up the creme de la creme of marketing in the City of Angels.
So without further ado, here are my picks for the best marketing agencies in Los Angeles:
- Coalition Technologies. The most versatile option, and your best bet for online marketing.
- Use All Five. The best-of-the-best for UX strategy and app design.
- BLITZ. Not afraid to take risks, and these risks often pay huge dividends.
- Razorfish. Their range of services is unparalleled, but their size is a mixed blessing.
- HUGE. An excellent advertising partner, but only for the nation’s largest businesses.
- Saatchi & Saatchi. Unbeatable in traditional advertising; not the best for online marketing.
- David&Goliath. An inspired choice for your next Super Bowl commercial.
- 72andSunny. Excellent results, despite a comparatively limited range of services.
1. Coalition Technologies
I founded Coalition Technologies with the goal of meeting the varied needs of clients from all walks of life. Our successes aren’t limited to any one particular industry, but run the full gamut of e-commerce, nonprofit, medicine, law, government, and so much more. We work with Fortune 500 companies and up-and-coming startups alike, and our unprecedented successes stem from centuries of combined experience. We have managed numerous high-level campaigns on behalf of industry leaders like Spinning (creators of the indoor cycling phenomenon), Jack Daniels, Urban Armor Gear, Cream of Wheat, CBS, and The Oprah Winfrey Network, and we continue to raise the bar for online marketing.
From the very beginning, Coalition has operated under the creed that excellence requires precision, and that’s why our growing team — now nearing 100 employees — includes only the most seasoned and trusted professionals specializing in a wide range of disciplines. We employ world-class experts in SEO, SEM, PPC, conversion optimization, social media management, usability, public relations, branding, reputation management, web development, and web design, and these experts work together in tandem to help our clients achieve and exceed their most ambitious entrepreneurial goals. Just take a look at our detailed portfolio and see the impressive results for yourself.
In addition to our unrivaled expertise and results, we offer a level of transparency seldom seen in this industry. Each of our clients is assigned a personal account manager who is available at their beck and call to address any concerns and discuss ideas. This account manager provides weekly updates to keep you informed at every level, and even submits comprehensive bi-weekly reports so that you always know exactly what we’re doing and how our work is benefiting your bottom line. These reports include search engine rankings results, revenue changes, and point-by-point breakdowns of every task completed by our team in the pursuit of your goals.
If you would like to learn more about our services, or develop a better understanding of how we can serve your business, please call us today at (310) 827-3890, for a free consultation. You can also contact us on our website
. We have worked with clients as influential as Walmart and Harvard University, but we proudly serve businesses of all sizes. Discover how we can maximize your ROI and take your business to the next level.
2. Use All Five
Use All Five has become a leading force in the local online marketing sphere, due in no small part to their impressive client list, broad range of services, and innovative approach to marketing. With a full decade in business, the company has made quite a name for itself due to its branding prowess and stunning designs. Use All Five operates at the intersection of design and marketing for a wide-reaching approach that combines research, brand strategy, web design, app design, digital product creation, and social strategy.
Although Use All Five prides itself on its combined marketing and design finesse, its notable strengths definitely lean more toward the design side. The company’s predominantly technical staff masterfully navigates every minute aspect of web design and application design, even if their marketing efforts are a bit more par-for-the-course. I often recommend the company to prospects in need of app design, because there are few agencies out there with greater proficiency in app creation and development.
If you’re in need of UX strategy or design, iOS or Android development, digital product creation, or product innovation, you may want to check out Use All Five. When it comes to campaigns that require a unique combination of marketplace expertise and design proficiency, this company is simply second to none. The designs are always forward thinking, and the execution is always flawless. The work they completed on behalf of the UCLA Arts & Architecture 100th anniversary is especially impressive, as it exemplifies the very sort of tasteful and yet inventive delicacy for which the department is world renowned.
3. BLITZ
With work completed on behalf of major power players like Xbox and Starbucks, BLITZ has made quite a name for itself. The company is known for its highly driven and skilled team, cutting-edge approach to marketing, and broad client base. Whereas Use All Five thrives in the field of design, BLITZ has definitely made more of an impact as a marketing force. Perhaps that’s due to the company’s commitment to establishing multifaceted marketing campaigns that connect with consumers on a human level.
The company’s own designs are impressive if not somewhat minimalist and familiar, but every company has its strengths, and BLITZ is truly in the business of building brands. At least, I have certainly found this to be the overwhelming consensus among the former BLITZ clients with whom I have worked, and I have encountered very few complaints in regard to their unique marketing approach. In today’s ever-growing marketplace, the competition is more fierce than ever before, and any digital marketing agency must be willing to think outside the box in order to distinguish itself from the endless sea of competing interests. BLITZ not only meets this challenge head-on, but proves time and again why it remains a contender for the best Los Angeles marketing agency.
The company’s marketing approach is defined by a combination of content creation, mobile optimization, social media, design, and strategy, and it thrives especially in the creative niches — with well-crafted content, an impressive level of social media engagement, and branding that connects with users. With locations in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, BLITZ continues to expand its influence across the nation, and although their pricing is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum, they certainly understand how to meet their clients’ eclectic needs.
4. Razorfish
Razorfish is one of the largest and most successful digital agencies in the world, and so I would be remiss if I failed to include it on this list. In business since 1995, these guys have been around longer than many of the modern hallmarks of online marketing that we take for granted (like, for instance, anything related to Google ranking or advertising). This unparalleled level of experience is certainly to their credit, although admittedly my interactions with former Razorfish clients have been mixed.
On the positive side, Razorfish has a team of more than 2,000 employees, all of whom specialize in a particular field, and the range of fields is more broad and diverse than anything I’ve seen in an online marketing agency. From design to development to SEO to media buying to app design to social influence marketing, Razorfish truly does it all. If you’re the type of business owner who’s looking to invest in marketing that leaves absolutely no stone unturned, Razorfish surely has a team of experts just for you. It’s worth noting, though, that this impressive volume of experts seems to be the company’s greatest hindrance as well.
Basically, I tend to describe Razorfish as the digital marketing equivalent of an 80,000-seat megachurch. Yes, the church grew by leaps and bounds because its message resonated with a lot of people, but now it’s so big that none of the parishioners are able to receive the kind of one-on-one attention that made the church so beloved in the first place. Razorfish became enormously successful by offering exemplary service, but now the company is so big and so multifarious that it has evolved into somewhat of a marketing assembly line. You can still enjoy great results, but bear in mind that you may not enjoy the same level of individual attention and care that you would receive from a smaller and more focused company.
5. HUGE
HUGE isn’t just a name. It’s an apt description of the client base that this agency serves. The company caters specifically to Fortune 100 companies, so unless your business is poised to dominate your respective industry, you may want to look elsewhere. HUGE is renowned for helping companies thrive within the world’s most competitive niches, but that kind of expert assistance definitely comes at a price, so be prepared to write some hefty checks.
The company specializes in all of the trademark aspects of online marketing: content creation, social media, branding, web design, UX design…but where they really thrive is in the research department. HUGE remains on the pulse of market trends by tirelessly analyzing, researching, and testing the ever-changing trends that define profitability in any given industry. That’s why the nation’s premier businesses are willing to honor the high price tag.
If you’re hunting for the best Los Angeles marketing agency, you should never underestimate the paramount importance of meticulous market research as an integral part of your campaign, but sadly, many of the most popular agencies still tailor their efforts according to the current trends, without any thought to where the market is actually headed. When consulting with a potential firm, make sure to ask them about their market research practices. This is where agencies like HUGE and Coalition Technologies truly thrive.
In addition to their tireless research practices, the marketing team at HUGE is also renowned for their delivery of results. Perhaps that’s why the company consistently makes Ad Age’s coveted A-List. Despite the company’s enormous size and international reach, it still manages to cater to the individual needs of each client without falling into the assembly-line trap. This is no easy feat, and it’s why HUGE continues to attract industry leaders. Just be prepared to pay.
6. Saatchi & Saatchi L.A.
Headquartered in New York, but with a sizable presence in the L.A. market, Saatchi & Saatchi is another one of those massive “Let’s take over the world” digital marketing agencies, and while I wouldn’t rank them as the best Los Angeles marketing agency, they are certainly a force to be reckoned with. The company boasts a staff of more than 6,000, and has existed as an advertising agency since 1970.
Over the years, the company has boasted some world-famous accolades. They helped Margaret Thatcher to become Britain’s first female prime minister, coining the now-legendary slogan, “Labour isn’t working.” They have worked with some of the world’s most successful and lucrative companies, including Toyota, Pampers, and Samsonite. Remember the much-fussed-over Cheerios commercial featuring the adorable little girl with biracial parents? That was their handiwork. And although the ad was exploited into a huge controversy by news media upon its release, it proved to be a veritable goldmine for General Mills.
Since 2006, Saatchi & Saatchi has been working to widen its reach within the marketing world, by partnering with other digital firms like the now defunct Hyperfactory, based out of New Zealand. These efforts have helped the agency to introduce new digital services to its growing customer base, with offerings that transcend the confines of traditional advertising.
But although the company has expanded into a wide range of digital marketing enterprises, it remains — first and foremost — a high-end advertising firm. That’s great if your needs are ad-centric, but if you require a broad range of online marketing services that cover SEO, PPC, PR, and design, Saatchi & Saatchi might not be your best bet. They are amazing at what they do, but their scope is still fairly limited, and their prices are still out of reach for most up-and-coming online businesses.
7. David&Goliath
David&Goliath may not have quite the global reach of a company like Saatchi & Saatchi or HUGE, but they have nevertheless made quite a name for themselves in a relatively short amount of time. With a client list that includes Jack in the Box, Kia, Universal Studios Hollywood, and even the CA Lottery, David&Goliath has proven to be a Goliath unto itself, with a unique approach that is dedicated to creating “unique, engaging brand experiences.” The company is perhaps best known for creating the now-famous “Legendary” Super Bowl ad for Jack in the Box and those adorable but edgy Kia Soul hamsters, but these are hardly their only forays into multi-million-dollar Super Bowl advertising. You may also remember Pierce Brosnan’s Sorrento ad, which premiered during Super Bowl XLIX.
A 30-second advertising spot during the Super Bowl will cost you a cool $4.5 million (as of this writing), and so every second of advertising time is absolutely critical. David&Goliath is the best of the best when it comes to making a bold impression in under a minute, but as you can imagine, they don’t come cheap. Their advertising approach is innovative, groundbreaking, and always influential, but their efforts are definitely geared toward the heavy hitters. If you have a sizable budget to invest in marketing, and your customer base is predominately brick-and-mortar, these guys might be a worthwhile choice.
For nationally and internationally renowned businesses who rely on a daily influx of customers, David&Goliath can perhaps service your needs better than anyone else. After all, their strengths lie in the acquisition of customers through traditional forms of media, and while they do offer online marketing and advertising services, they are not a digital agency in the purest sense. More than anything, they still excel in the form of marketing that has been turning brands into household names since the dawn of print and television advertising.
8. 72andSunny
Recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2015, 72andSunny has worked with a broad range of clients that includes Target, Coors, Samsung, and even Google. Advertising Age and Adweek have both recognized the company as Agency of the Year, in no small part due to their unique and groundbreaking approach to online as well as traditional advertising. For businesses who seek only the best in advertising, but are looking to bridge the gap between television and digital marketing, 72andSunny provides an impressive balance.
What truly sets them apart in the advertising world is their understanding of 21st-century customer needs. This is where a lot of other local advertising agencies — even those highlighted on this list — fall short. Adweek and Bloomberg have credited 72andSunny with helping Samsung — once a struggling contender in the smartphone world — to make a name for itself amid the iPhone craze and even overtake Apple in phone sales. This is no small feat, and the company could never have achieved this impressive accomplishment without taking costly risks and exhibiting an unsurpassed understanding of both traditional and modern forms of media.
But whether the company is assembling sexy burger ads on behalf of Carl’s Jr., or creating flashy hip-hop action montages to promote Call of Duty, their commitment to visceral, evocative imagery remains unwavering, and perhaps that’s why their ventures are consistently so successful. They truly make you want to purchase the products that they’re promoting. And yes, their scope is still somewhat limited in terms of the range of services offered, but the services they do offer are second to none. Like many of the other contenders on this list, 72andSunny has an executive-level pricing structure, so if budget is an issue, you may want to look elsewhere.
Find the Best Los Angeles Marketing Agency for You
As you can see, the marketplace is rich with impressive options when it comes to online marketing. As the founder and CEO of Coalition Technologies, I would love to tell you that my agency is definitely your best bet, but if I’m being honest, you should always go with the agency that is best aligned with your goals. For instance, if you have the budget and the goal to produce an unforgettable television commercial for the next Super Bowl, you might want to consider David&Goliath; if you want your Fortune 100 company to remain competitive within the still-expanding marketplace of traditional media, you might want to consider HUGE.
But if you’re looking to grow your business online, utilizing the most effective and time-tested methods of SEO, SEM, public relations, design, development, and reputation management, I invite you to see for yourself why Coalition Technologies is the best in the business. As previously noted, we have worked with a range of industry power players including Jack Daniels, Walmart, Cream of Wheat, CBS, and The Oprah Winfrey Network, helping them to expand their reach and solidify their brands in new and exciting ways. We can do the same for you.
While some businesses focus on perfecting the art of commercial advertising, our company works tirelessly to perfect and constantly refine the art of online marketing. Our team includes industry-leading SEO experts, certified pay-per-click professionals, and world-class web designers and developers. Our copywriters have written for many of the nation’s most prestigious organizations, and our designers have built sites on behalf of some of the biggest names in business, e-commerce, and entertainment.
What truly sets us apart, though, is the unified nature of our business. Yes, each member of our team specializes in a specific field, but we all work together toward a common goal. Your goal. Every task we undertake is just one piece of a much larger puzzle, and we make sure that all of the pieces fit together. This ensures that your reach is always maximized, and that your business is always granted the maximum exposure in the most positive and influential light, across the widest range of verticals.
Contact the Best Los Angeles Marketing Agency
If you’re ready to move your business forward, I invite you to give Coalition Technologies a call today at (310) 827-3890. Your consultation is completely free, and you’re under no obligation to sign up for our services. We will gladly answer your questions, provide a tailor-made strategy for success, and explain exactly how we can help you to meet and exceed your entrepreneurial goals. Contact us today, and see for yourself why Coalition Technologies is truly the best Los Angeles marketing agency that you’ll find.
