Alexis Kestler
Hey there! As a veteran social media marketing strategist, I‘ve had the opportunity to work with some truly exceptional paid media agencies over the years.
And in 2023, paid advertising will become more critical than ever for brands looking to drive real business outcomes – whether acquiring customers, generating leads, or building lasting awareness.
But with so many options to choose from, how do you identify the right partner for your goals and budgets?
Well, not to worry! I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide on the top paid media agencies you need to consider this year. Let‘s get started, shall we?
Why Invest in Paid Media?
I know you may be wondering – why can‘t we just rely on organic reach as marketers always have? Well, here are three compelling reasons to allocate those ad dollars:
1. Paid Media Drives up to 2X More Site Traffic
On average, paid social drives over 30% of total website traffic for brands per recent polls. Further, Google‘s tools can send 2X more visitors than SEO in the initial growth phase.
2. Higher User Engagement Rates
Ads allow targeting people more inclined to respond based on signals like keywords and interests. This leads up to 8-10X higher engagement rates compared to non-paid posts.
3. Quicker Results Enable Faster Optimization
While SEO has a gradual impact, paid campaigns hit the ground running. Their immediate traction allows testing audience variants and creative approaches for optimization.
Clearly, for most brands today, paid media is no longer an option but an essential component of the playbook.
Now let‘s explore the top agencies that can set up and supercharge your campaigns…
1. Single Grain – For Full-Funnel Campaign Management
[Single Grain] is a one-stop shop to build high-impact campaigns at every stage – from driving awareness to site traffic to lead gen.Sample clients like Leesa, Ahrefs, and Dealspotr leverage their proprietary methodology combining design thinking and growth marketing. This fuels data-backed decisions at every step.
Across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google Search, YouTube, and even Spotify, they have generated phenomenal returns for brands:
- 8.6X ROAS delivering over $24 million in sales for bedding brand Leesa
- 20,000+ monthly leads generated for Ahrefs with under $100k spends
Such outcomes stem from their scientific rigor in testing audience segments, messaging approaches, and creatives styles to determine optimal placements.
They further analyze competitors using analytics tools to identify gaps and differentiation opportunities. These insights allow crafting breakthrough campaigns beyond convention.
If you‘re looking for a true growth partner to push boundaries, Single Grain is a top choice. Their custom packages cater to mid-market and enterprise brands.
2. Hoopla – For Unearthing Hidden Audiences
[Hoopla‘s] unmatched capability of zeroing in on ultra-targeted niches can be seriously powerful.For instance, leading apparel site FabFitFun tapped previously undiscovered micro-communities of health-conscious urban dwellers using Hoopla‘s advanced audience filters. This led conversions to double over traditional demographics targeting.
Such granularity allows ensuring relevance and filters out distraction for the end-user – generating higher response rates consequently.
Further, Hoopla gives access to millions of creators through exclusive influencer partnerships. Their authentic storytelling formats have achieved stellar results for lifestyle brands:
- 150% sales jump during a 2-week campaign for sustainable clothing line United By Blue
- 10X website traffic spike for beauty brand Wander Beauty via influencer activations
Mid-marketers keen to harness community conversations must explore Hoopla‘s niche targeting and influencer combo. Custom reporting provides media mix modeling capabilities to showcase true impact.
3. PBJ Marketing – For High-Converting Global Campaigns
With offices in NYC and Washington D.C., [PBJ Marketing] brings localized experience that matters.
Take their work for Dan Lok, a sought-after Canadian business coach seeking improved visibility across the United States. PBJ‘s savvy application of cultural nuances across ad language, offers, etc. led to a 2X increase in American enrollments within 3 months.
Such region-specific results stem from their team blending corporate backgrounds from top multi-nationals with hands-on media buying skills across Google, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, Amazon and beyond.
Further, having run ads for over 10 years, they know what optimal metrics to track and improve – beyond vanity views and clicks. This leads to sustainable, efficient growth in qualified leads over time.
For global brands aiming for uniform campaign excellence across geographic markets, PBJ is a trusted name. Packages suitable for mid-marketers seeking multi-location expansion.
4. Jumpfly – For Access to Insider Ad Tech
[Jumpfly] enjoys exclusive insider access to upcoming ad products, having won premier partner status with Google, Facebook, Microsoft Advertising, Amazon and more.For example, they were among the first agencies to leverage Instagram Reels Ads during the initial test launch. For outdoors brand Cotopaxi, Jumpfly steered 7-figure revenue by dominating the new format ahead of competition.
Such early testing grounds help fine-tune campaign approaches for the highest possible impact once launched fully. Their past successes enabled FB Ads, Snapchat AR Filters, Amazon custom audiences scale efficiently right off the bat.
Further, Jumpfly maintains an independent, agnostic view towards ad platforms, and can map client needs to the channels truly delivering results. Such transparency sees them consistently beating benchmarks.
For anyone keen to stay ahead of the innovation curve, Jumpfly is the go-to name thanks to privileged access across key publishers. Entry-level monthly retainers make them ideal for both emerging and established brands.
5. Ainfluencer – For Influencer Marketing Mastery
While the rest are full-service agencies, [Ainfluencer] provides specialized influencer marketing capabilities for Instagram and TikTok.
They identify creators with genuine resonance amongst audience niches using 100+ data variables – ensuring campaigns achieve emotional connection at scale. Further, a dedicated account manager handles all coordination – from casting to briefings to copyrighting.
For gym wear brand Gymshark, Ainfluencer activated 1500+ athletes as advocates across Instagram and TikTok over 2 years. This led to an astounding 900% increase in market share.
Such phenomenal returns stem from the level of strategic rigor they bring. Their in-house data science models accurately attribute sales lift to creators, guiding spend optimization. Total transparency on campaign performance keeps brands fully informed.
Ainfluencer also offers performance guarantees, only charging brands if sales impact goals are met. This takes the risk away from testing influencer marketing‘s power.
For any DTC business seeking viral visibility and credibility, Ainfluencer is likely the best bet thanks to category focus. Their self-serve model has entry points for businesses of any size.
Key Decision Factors as You Evaluate Partners
Of course, each brand will have unique priorities and budgets that dictate whom to finally collaborate with. Here are some key considerations to determine the best strategic and cultural fit:
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Business Objectives: Are you prioritizing purchases and site conversions over reach? Alignment on precise goals is vital.
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Platform Expertise: Do you already leverage Amazon ads or TikTok commerce needing scale-up help? Assess targeted strengths.
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Pricing Models: Compare monthly retainers, project fees, campaign spends arrangements that allow flexibility.
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Team Experience: Evaluate industry-specific knowledge beyond generic digital marketing skills for better resonance.
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Results Validation: Are they transparent with campaign data? Can they justify incremental gains through attribution?
I recommend tabulating such factors against priorities in a scorecard approach. Quickly identify the optimal mix of scope, capabilities, and experience levels to address your brand‘s needs.
Once the foundation is set up, you can always expand into additional services and platforms over time.
The Future is Bright for Paid Media Innovation
Without a doubt, recent years have seen ad formats, targeting tools, and emerging platforms fundamentally reshape paid marketing. Exciting new directions where I see the space heading into 2023 and beyond:
Convergence with Commerce: Shoppable video, embedded payments, leveraging AR to interweave ads seamlessly into the customer experience beyond interruptions.
Streaming and Connected TV: Brand integration with contextual targeting around interests and behavioral signals will expand audiences beyond linear TV.
Hyper-Personalization: Expect 1:1 ad customization fueled by analytics and causal data – similar products viewed, recent abandons, channel preferences etc.
Further Expansion of Budgets: 2022 saw 58% marketers increasing digital ad spends which will continue driven by higher perceived value. Metaverse integration also on the horizon!
As you gear up your expansion plans, now is the time to build a strong paid media foundation. I hope mapping the options above has brought some clarity. Feel free to reach out if any questions pop up along the journey – always happy to help!
