18 Best Media Buying Agencies in New York City • Scottmax.com

The #1 Could Be Yours. We'll Review Your Agency And Rank You On This List.
To Apply:

Media buying agencies belong to the advertising category of businesses that help in marketing the products and services of different businesses to the target audience on different media channels.

These include traditional, programmatic, digital, social, out-of-home, print, and streaming.

New York City has plenty of media buying agencies that provide the best services to buy different media channels at cost-effective prices.

They help small and large businesses reach their target audience through their effective media buying campaigns.

Find the top media buying agencies in New York City from the list below to choose the right agency for your business. These agencies have the best media buying capabilities in the city to help you get different channels at the lowest prices.

A media buying agency specializes in purchasing advertising space across various media channels, including TV, radio, print, and digital. They optimize ad placements to reach the target audience effectively, ensuring cost-efficiency and maximizing return on investment (ROI) for clients.

A media buying agency helps place your ads in front of the right audience, ensuring your marketing efforts are effective and efficient. Here’s what they do:

Media Planning: Identify the best platforms and times to place your ads, ensuring your message reaches the right people at the right time.
Negotiation: Secure the best rates by negotiating with media vendors, helping you get the most out of your advertising budget.
Ad Placement: Ensure your ads appear in optimal locations across TV, radio, print, and online platforms to maximize visibility.
Campaign Management: Monitor and adjust your ad campaigns in real-time for optimal performance, making necessary tweaks to improve results.
Market Research: Analyze your target audience’s media consumption habits to tailor your campaigns for better engagement.
Budget Allocation: Distribute your advertising budget across various channels strategically to achieve the best possible return on investment.
Performance Tracking: Utilize analytics tools to track the effectiveness of your ads, providing insights into what’s working and what’s not.
Creative Coordination: Collaborate with creative teams to ensure your ads fit each media platform perfectly, maintaining consistency and appeal.
Post-Campaign Analysis: Provide detailed reports on your campaign’s performance, offering insights and recommendations for future campaigns.
Media Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive media strategy that aligns with your overall marketing goals, ensuring all efforts are cohesive and targeted.

To better understand the distinction between a Media Buying Agency and an Advertising Agency, here’s a side-by-side comparison:

Media Buying Agency vs. Advertising Agency

Media buying agencies focus on purchasing ad space and time to maximize reach. Advertising agencies offer a comprehensive range of services to create and manage entire ad campaigns.

Services	Media Buying Agency	Advertising Agency
Media Planning	✔	✔
Negotiation and Purchase of Ad Space	✔	✔
Campaign Management	✔	✔
Budget Allocation	✔	✔
Performance Tracking	✔	✔
Market Research		✔
Creative Development		✔
Copywriting		✔
Branding		✔
Digital Marketing		✔
Social Media Marketing		✔
Public Relations		✔

In summary, while both agencies handle media planning and buying, media buying agencies specialize in optimizing the purchase of ad space and time, whereas advertising agencies provide a full suite of services to create and manage entire advertising campaigns.

When it comes to media buying agencies, pricing can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a breakdown of the costs you might expect when hiring a media buying agency:

Common Pricing Models:

Hourly Rates: Agencies may charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $50 to $300 per hour. The exact rate depends on the agency’s expertise and the complexity of the campaign.
Monthly Retainers: This model involves paying a fixed fee each month for a set range of services. Monthly retainers usually range from $1,500 to $10,000 or more, depending on the scope of work and the agency’s experience.

Average Costs:

Small to Medium Campaigns: For smaller campaigns or businesses with limited budgets, you can expect to pay between $1,000 to $5,000 per month.
Larger Campaigns: For more extensive advertising campaigns, the costs can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per month, or even higher depending on the campaign's scale and complexity.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Scope of Work: The breadth of services required, such as the number of ad placements, the diversity of media channels, and the duration of the campaign, can significantly affect the price.
Business Size: Larger businesses with more extensive advertising needs will typically incur higher costs.
Campaign Complexity: More complex campaigns involving multiple platforms and sophisticated targeting strategies will be more expensive.
Agency Expertise: Agencies with more experience and a proven track record of success may charge higher rates.
Target Audience: The specificity and size of the target audience can also influence costs, as reaching a more niche audience may require more specialized efforts.

By understanding these pricing structures and services, you can better navigate the costs associated with hiring a media buying agency and ensure you get the best value for your investment.

Hiring a media buying agency can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns and streamline your marketing efforts. Here are some compelling reasons to consider partnering with a media buying agency:

Expertise and Experience:

Media buying agencies bring specialized knowledge and industry experience to the table. They understand the intricacies of various advertising platforms and know how to optimize your ad spend for maximum reach and impact.

Strategic Planning:

These agencies excel in developing comprehensive media strategies tailored to your business goals. They can identify the best channels, times, and ad placements to target your audience effectively.

Cost Efficiency:

By leveraging their relationships with media vendors, agencies can often negotiate better rates and added value for your ad placements. This can lead to significant cost savings and a better return on investment.

Access to Advanced Tools:

Media buying agencies have access to sophisticated tools and analytics platforms that provide deeper insights into campaign performance. This allows for real-time adjustments and data-driven decision-making.

Time Savings:

Managing media buys and advertising campaigns can be time-consuming. By outsourcing this task to an agency, you free up valuable time to focus on other aspects of your business.

Scalability:

Whether you’re running a small local campaign or a large-scale national campaign, media buying agencies have the resources and expertise to scale your efforts according to your needs.

Creative Expertise:

Many media buying agencies offer creative services, helping you design compelling ads that resonate with your target audience. This ensures that your advertising is not only strategically placed but also visually and emotionally engaging.

Performance Tracking and Optimization:

Agencies continuously monitor and analyze the performance of your campaigns. They make data-driven adjustments to optimize results, ensuring that your ad spend delivers the best possible outcomes.

Access to Market Insights:

Agencies stay updated with the latest market trends and consumer behaviors. They can provide valuable insights that help refine your marketing strategies and stay ahead of the competition.

Comprehensive Reporting:

Media buying agencies provide detailed reports on campaign performance, giving you clear visibility into how your ads are performing and where improvements can be made.

Conclusion

Hiring a media buying agency can provide your business with the expertise, tools, and strategies needed to maximize your advertising efforts. By leveraging their knowledge and resources, you can achieve more effective and efficient marketing campaigns that drive better results for your business.

Choosing the right media buying agency can significantly impact the success of your advertising campaigns. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:

Define Your Goals and Needs:

Clearly outline your advertising goals, target audience, budget, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Understanding your specific needs will help you find an agency that aligns with your objectives.

Research Potential Agencies:

Look for agencies with a proven track record in your industry. Check their websites, case studies, and client testimonials to gauge their experience and success in handling similar campaigns.

Evaluate Expertise and Experience:

Assess the agency’s expertise in media buying and their knowledge of various advertising platforms. Experienced agencies will have a deep understanding of the media landscape and can offer strategic insights.

Check Their Network and Relationships:

A good media buying agency will have strong relationships with media vendors, enabling them to negotiate better rates and secure prime ad placements. Inquire about their network and the benefits it can bring to your campaigns.

Consider Their Tools and Technology:

Ask about the tools and technologies the agency uses for media planning, buying, and analytics. Advanced tools can provide valuable data and insights to optimize your campaigns.

Review Their Creative Capabilities:

If you need creative services, ensure the agency has a strong creative team that can develop compelling ad content. Review their portfolio to see if their creative style aligns with your brand.

Assess Their Communication and Transparency:

Effective communication is crucial for a successful partnership. Choose an agency that is transparent, responsive, and willing to keep you informed throughout the campaign process.

Understand Their Pricing Model:

Different agencies have different pricing models, such as hourly rates, monthly retainers, or performance-based fees. Ensure you understand their pricing structure and that it fits within your budget.

Request Proposals and Conduct Interviews:

Request detailed proposals from shortlisted agencies outlining their approach, strategies, and estimated costs. Conduct interviews to discuss your goals, ask questions, and assess their compatibility with your business.

Check References:

Ask for references from previous clients and contact them to get firsthand feedback about the agency’s performance, reliability, and results.

Evaluate Their Reporting and Analytics:

Ensure the agency provides comprehensive reporting and analytics. This will help you track campaign performance, measure ROI, and make data-driven decisions.

Consider Their Cultural Fit:

A good cultural fit can lead to a more productive and enjoyable partnership. Choose an agency that understands your brand values and can work seamlessly with your team.

Experience and Expertise

How long have you been in the media buying industry?
What types of clients and industries do you typically work with?
Can you provide case studies or examples of successful campaigns?

Strategy and Approach

How do you develop and execute media buying strategies?
What tools and technologies do you use for media planning and buying?
How do you measure the success of a media buying campaign?

Services and Capabilities

What specific services do you offer?
Do you handle both traditional and digital media buying?
Can you manage multi-channel campaigns?

Pricing and Budget

What are your pricing models?
How do you ensure that the media buying is cost-effective?
Are there any additional costs we should be aware of?

Communication and Reporting

How frequently will you report on campaign performance?
What metrics and KPIs do you track and report?
How will we communicate throughout the campaign?

These questions will help you assess a media buying agency's experience, strategy, services, pricing, and communication, ensuring you make an informed decision.

Why spend hours looking for the right agency when you can do it in just 2 minutes? Seriously, our Free Agency Finder is here to save you all that time and effort.

Here's the Deal:

Quick Survey: Answer a few questions about what you’re looking for. It takes no time at all.
Perfect Matches: We’ll find agencies that fit exactly what you need.
No Stress: Skip the hassle and let us handle the search. Plus, it’s completely free—no hidden costs.

Ready to find the perfect agency without all the fuss? Click the button below and give it a try.

Agency Finder

Our Rating Guidelines

AAA Rated Agencies only get this rank if we have sent a client previously and the client has given us positive feedback.

An AAA-rated digital marketing agency demonstrates exceptional expertise, innovation, and results in the field of digital marketing. The agency consistently goes above and beyond to exceed client expectations and industry standards. To achieve this top rating, an agency must exhibit:

Strategic Excellence: The agency devises comprehensive and customized digital marketing strategies that align with clients' business goals. Strategies show deep understanding of the target audience, market trends, and competition.
Innovative Approach: The agency consistently adopts and implements cutting-edge digital marketing techniques, leveraging emerging technologies and platforms to stay ahead of the curve.
Proven Results: Demonstrates a track record of delivering tangible and measurable results, such as increased website traffic, engagement, conversions, and ROI for clients.
Clear Communication: Maintains transparent and open communication with clients, providing regular updates, performance reports, and insights into ongoing campaigns.
Multi-Channel Mastery: Exhibits proficiency across various digital marketing channels, including but not limited to SEO, SEM, content marketing, social media, email marketing, and influencer collaborations.
Adaptability: Has the ability to adapt strategies quickly in response to changing market conditions, algorithm updates, and client needs.

An AA-rated digital marketing agency demonstrates excellent capabilities and consistently delivers strong results for clients. The agency excels in multiple areas of digital marketing and exhibits qualities such as:

Strategic Proficiency: The agency develops effective digital marketing strategies that align with clients' objectives and show a good understanding of target audiences.
Effective Implementation: Successfully executes campaigns across various digital channels, showing proficiency in both paid and organic techniques.
Measurable Outcomes: Provides clear evidence of positive outcomes, with data-backed improvements in key performance metrics.
Communication: Maintains proactive communication, sharing progress reports, results, and recommendations on a regular basis.
Diverse Skill Set: Demonstrates expertise in several digital marketing disciplines, adapting to new trends and platforms adequately.

An A-rated digital marketing agency performs well and delivers consistent results for clients. The agency meets the industry standards in various aspects, including:

Strategic Planning: Develops solid digital marketing strategies that address client goals and align with target audience needs.
Execution: Implements campaigns proficiently across multiple channels, driving moderate improvements in online presence and engagement.
Measurable Progress: Presents evidence of positive shifts in relevant performance metrics.
Communication: Maintains regular communication, sharing campaign updates and basic insights with clients.

A B-rated digital marketing agency offers satisfactory services, meeting the basic expectations of clients. The agency demonstrates competence in some areas but may lack consistency or innovation:

Basic Strategy: Creates fundamental digital marketing plans that address client objectives, but may not exhibit exceptional creativity.
Execution Capability: Implements campaigns adequately, resulting in modest improvements in online visibility and engagement.
Limited Results: Presents evidence of incremental changes in performance metrics.
Communication: Communicates periodically, sharing basic progress reports without in-depth analysis.

A C-rated digital marketing agency falls below industry standards in terms of service delivery and results. The agency may struggle with various aspects of digital marketing and might need substantial improvement in:

Strategic Insight: Develops basic strategies that may not effectively align with client goals or target audiences.
Execution Challenges: Struggles with consistent and effective campaign implementation, resulting in limited improvements.
Lackluster Results: Demonstrates minimal positive impact on performance metrics.
Communication Issues: Communicates sporadically, often with limited insights and updates.

Contents hide

Ranked: The Best Media Buying Agencies In New York City

1. Criterion Global

2. Cross Media

3. R/GA

4. Major Tom

5. A&A Group

6. Branding New York City

7. Chief Media

8. Ai Media Group

9. Good Apple

10. Innovision Advertising

11. Modco Media

12. Resolution Media

13. MAXBURST

14. Sosemo

15. D&S Agency

16. Markacy

17. Wayne's World Media

18. Amra & Elma

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is media buying?

Why hire a media buying agency?

How do I choose a media buying agency?

What are the benefits of working with the media buying agency?

How much do media buying agencies charge?

Ranked: The Best Media Buying Agencies In New York City

We've shortlisted the best ones for you and made it easy to only contact AAA or AA-rated agencies.

However, before you decide to go with anyone I recommend 2 things:

Either use our agency finder above. Use our expertise and let us help you find the ideal agency for you, from our worldwide contact database.

Or, if you are sure you'd like a local agency, set up meetings with the highly-rated agencies on this list, and test them for clear expectations from you/clear customer qualifications, clear onboarding process, clear long-term focused objectives, and clear communication.

And most important, don't fall for short-term hacks some poor quality agencies try to sell you on.

Look for long-term strategy, protecting your brand and clear timelines.

1. Criterion Global

Founded Year: 2009

Website: criterionglobal.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Criterion Global is a top media buying agency in New York City that delivers cost-effective media buying services for small and large companies all over the world.

Their media buying services include digital, traditional, and emerging media for improving brand awareness and advertising the products and services of different brands.

Case Studies: Pending submission

2. Cross Media

Founded Year: 2000

Website: xmedia.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Cross Media is a leading media buying agency in New York City, providing full-funnel media buying services with holistic strategies.

Media buying services include cross-channel buying, holistic measurements, international coordination, media service, procurement consulting, audience management, market intelligence, and performance marketing.

Case Studies: Pending submission

3. R/GA

Founded Year: 1977

Website: rga.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: R/GA is a popular media buying agency in New York City specializing in media buying services for popularizing the products and services of businesses across different platforms.

They help buy the best digital and traditional media channels for creating good customer relationships and improving customer loyalty.

Case Studies: Pending submission

4. Major Tom

Founded Year: 2018

Website: majortom.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Major Tom is a professional media buying agency in New York City, helping businesses boost their growth with strategic paid media campaigns. Through extensive research, they will determine the best digital and social media channels to promote your brand.

The company optimizes media campaigns according to your target audience and improves brand visibility through well-researched strategic media plans and buying options.

Case Studies: Pending submission

5. A&A Group

Founded Year: 2007

Website: aa-grp.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: A&A Group is a skilled media buying agency in New York City, offering effective media placements and good advertising strategies for businesses to improve their qualified leads.

They have a good team of media professionals who develop the best strategies and also understand the importance of promoting the products and services on different media networks for attracting potential customers.

Case Studies: Pending submission

6. Branding New York City

Founded Year: 2007

Website: brandingnycity.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Branding New York City is a trusted media buying agency in New York City, skillfully helping with media services by designing customized plans to grow your brands and reach your target audience.

They market your products and services by buying the best media channels and optimizing the advertisements to ensure optimal results.

Case Studies: Pending submission

7. Chief Media

Founded Year: 2001

Website: chiefmedia.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Chief Media is a reputed media buying agency in New York City that creates the strongest integrated media services for driving your customers to buy your products and services and also establishes performance metrics to optimize the campaigns.

They have great experience advertising your products and services on digital media to convey your brand message to the target audience effectively.

Case Studies: Pending submission

8. Ai Media Group

Founded Year: 2008

Website: aimediagroup.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Ai Media Group is a distinguished media buying agency in New York City with an experienced team of media buying professionals who can optimize your campaigns and maximize your budget to deliver the best return on investment.

They develop optimized media strategies to promote your products and services on different media channels through creative campaigns.

Case Studies: Pending submission

9. Good Apple

Founded Year: 2008

Website: goodapple.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Good Apple is a reliable media buying agency in New York City that shamelessly helps small and large businesses promote their products and services through customized cross-channel solutions.

They can buy different media channels on social, programmatic, out-of-home, and television media to help you reach your target customers.

Case Studies: Pending submission

10. Innovision Advertising

Founded Year: 2012

Website: innovisionadvertising.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Innovision Advertising is a renowned media buying agency in New York City, specializing in traditional and digital media buying services.

They can buy channels like broadcast TV, cable TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, outdoor, cinema, and direct mail for traditional media.

And for digital media, they help with display, native, mobile, household IP targeting, search engine optimization, video and OTT, online, audio, and social media services.

Case Studies: Pending submission

11. Modco Media

Founded Year: 1991

Website: modcomedia.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Modco Media is a credible media buying agency in New York City, covering all media channels for promoting the products and services of small and large businesses.

They can buy media channels from TV, outdoor, print, radio, programmatic, social media, and direct mail.

Case Studies: Pending submission

12. Resolution Media

Founded Year: 2003

Website: resolutionagency.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Resolution Media is a premier media buying agency in New York City, understanding the importance of promoting products and services on different channels to improve brand awareness.

The company excels at providing holistic marketing solutions and 360-degree media services, including media buying and activation, to improve the performance of brands and attract potential customers.

Case Studies: Pending submission

13. MAXBURST

Founded Year: 2007

Website: maxburst.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: MAXBURST is an excellent media buying agency in New York City, offering optimal media buying services for small and large businesses at the lowest rates.

They buy media according to the brand market and study the target demographics and key performance indicators to choose the superior media channels for promoting your products and services.

Their media buying services include TV, traditional and internet radio, outdoor displays, newspapers, magazines, and direct mail.

Case Studies: Pending submission

14. Sosemo

Founded Year: 2012

Website: sosemo.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Sosemo is a dependable media buying agency in New York City, increasing brand awareness by targeting the right audience through different media channels.

Their media buying services include media scheduling, fee negotiation, campaign development, management, and performance reporting to maximize the return on investment.

Case Studies: Pending submission

15. D&S Agency

Founded Year: 2014

Website: dsagencyny.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: D&S Agency is a top-notch media buying agency in New York City, offering outstanding media buying services to meet the needs of small and large businesses.

The company has a team of qualified experts who can buy different media channels according to your market and target audience.

Case Studies: Pending submission

16. Markacy

Founded Year: 2017

Website: markacy.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Markacy is a unique media buying agency in New York City, specializing in cross-channel strategies for improving your revenue and potential customers.

They can buy media channels across different platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, Google, Bing, Yahoo, TV, radio, direct mail, print media, out-of-home, traditional, and programmatic.

Case Studies: Pending submission

17. Wayne's World Media

Founded Year: 2010

Website: waynesworldmedia.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the Agency: Wayne's World Media is a well-known media buying agency in New York City, offering the best media buying services for brands of all sizes.

They can buy media channels for advertising your products: traditional, online, digital, programmatic, social, out-of-home, and streaming.

They have a team of experts who do competitive analysis, media negotiations, placements, and analyze the performance of the campaigns and advertisements to customize them according to your target audience.

Case Studies: Pending submission

18. Amra & Elma

Founded Year: 2010

Website: amraandelma.com

Reputation Score: AA

About the agency: Amra & Elma is a prominent media buying agency in New York City, specializing in advertising and buying media channels to promote your products and services.

They develop the best advertising campaigns on social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Twitter, and Snapchat to improve your brand identity and get more customers.

Case Studies: Pending submission

Conclusion

Media buying agencies help improve brand awareness and connect with potential customers by advertising your products and services on different media channels.

They develop the best advertisement campaigns on websites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and other streaming channels.

Choose a reputed media buying agency from our list to work with your brand to boost sales, revenue, and website traffic.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is media buying?

Media buying agencies identify and purchase ad spaces on different media channels, including traditional digital and social media.

They have a team of marketing specialists who can negotiate the fees for promoting your products on different channels and help you save money and time by buying these spaces at the lowest cost.

Why hire a media buying agency?

It is important to work with media buying agencies to develop your marketing relationships and maximize the value of your investment through negotiating with different media channels for promoting your products and services.

They get the best slots at affordable prices to boost customer engagement and plan campaigns for maximum returns.

How do I choose a media buying agency?

It is important to choose reputed media buyers who can understand your business objectives and allocate budgets for buying the best spaces on different media channels.

Check the different clients they have worked with and the camping updates to understand their capabilities in finding the right spots for promoting your business.

Read the online reviews and also understand the different results produced by the brand along with the media that teams use to improve conversion rates.

What are the benefits of working with the media buying agency?

Media buying agencies understand your business market and do the necessary research about your target audience to create the best campaigns and find the best spaces on different media channels.

They understand your budget, create allowances according to your business objectives, and have a backup plan when negotiating the price with the different media. They help boost your lead generation and get more exposure for your budget.

How much do media buying agencies charge?

Media buying agencies charge clients based on the percentage of the media spend and total expenditures for buying channels on traditional digital and social media.

Some agencies will charge you based on the number of hours of the campaign, while others can also charge you monthly by generating reports.