There’s no city in the nation quite as powerful as Washington, D.C., where major decisions are made each day that could ultimately change the lives of millions. As an intensely competitive landscape, Washington has established itself as a leading tech capital, boasting countless tech companies and an increasing number of startups. And this business boom has been joined by a robust job market — one of the nation’s fastest growing, in fact. According to the D.C. Policy Center, employment across the Washington area increased by nearly 10 percent between 2010 and 2018, which in turn has led to higher wages and an influx of entrepreneurial-minded millennials.
While fighting for prominence in Washington may be tough, that doesn’t mean businesses can’t succeed within this political powerhouse. For companies across the city and the country as a whole, a solid marketing plan is key to captivating audiences and outranking the toughest competition. Washington is home to many marketing agencies that specialize in helping organizations dominate their industries. From multi-channel and targeted campaigns to brand strategy and roadmapping, the city’s countless marketing experts have the skills any business needs to stand out. Here’s a look at 15 marketing agencies in Washington giving businesses a fighting chance in the most ruthless environments.
Marketing Agencies in D.C. to Know
- RINGLET
- Youth Marketing Connection
- agencyQ
- TUSK
- Model B
- Brllnt
- Creative Theory Agency
- The Brand Guild
Founded: 1999
What they do: Driven by data and insights, agencyQ is a digital marketing agency specializing in customer experience, strategy and design. With a focus on helping clients more closely engage with audiences, the agency offers a variety of services like analytics, SEO, email marketing, social media management, marketing automation, content marketing and user experience. The agency works with clients from a wide range of sectors including healthcare, government and scientific research.
Who they work with: National School Boards Association, Earth Fare and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Founded: 2016
What they do: Founded by Dan Bender and Abtin Buergari, Model B is a digital marketing agency driven by the aim to help businesses succeed, grow and scale. Focusing on website management and advertising, the agency offers a variety of services such as custom Wordpress development, cross-platform advertising campaigns, information architecture, brand collateral, copywriting, digital and print graphic design, native advertising and PPC management. Model B’s other specialties include SEO, retargeting and remarketing, geotargeting, lead capture advertising and search engine marketing.
Who they work with: Verodin, Brillio and Association for Accessible Medicines.
Founded: 2003
What they do: Alliance Interactive is a digital marketing agency dedicated to launching, positioning and creating demand for clients’ organizations. The agency focuses on Drupal development and migration, branding, B2B marketing, SEO, corporate photography, PPC advertising, nonprofit web support and more. Alliance Interactive serves a wide range of sectors including education, government, financial services, healthcare and hospitality.
Who they work with: Pact, Silver Diner, Volant Associates and Lutheran World Relief.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Launched by Elise Crawford, RINGLET offers integrated marketing services specifically for women-owned small businesses. The agency offers a wide range of services such as brand management, email marketing, web design, social media management, content creation and logo development. RINGLET is dedicated to helping female small business owners incorporate integrity, authenticity and purpose in their work.
Who they work with: Arepa Zone, Colada Shop and nailsaloon.
Founded: 2015
What they do: Spiral Marketing is a digital marketing agency that specializes in strategic planning, creative solutions, management and execution. The agency offers a broad range of services such as full-funnel management, SEO, social media management, web design and development, and PPC management. Spiral Marketing focuses on providing marketing plans and brand strategies, scheduled editorial programs, and dashboards and tracking reports.
Who they work with: Startups, B2B and B2C businesses and more.
Founded: 2015
What they do: Creative Theory Agency is a culture-centric marketing agency that focuses on inclusive ideation and storytelling. The agency’s suite of services encompasses cinematography, graphic design, product and campaign integration, brand strategy, cultural analysis, diversity and inclusion research, and experience design. Creative Theory Agency’s past projects include Google’s 2020 Annual Diversity Report and a Google Pixel experiential activation event.
Who they work with: Google, Under Armour and more.
Founded: 2010
What they do: The Brand Guild is a marketing agency dedicated to helping clients scale their organizations. The agency’s capabilities include PR strategy and execution, product launches, media planning and buying, influencer and partnership marketing, social media content creation, brand strategy and positioning, and motion graphics and video production. The Brand Guild’s aim is to build brand strategies that help its clients achieve measurable results.
Who they work with: Lyft, WeWork, Yoobi, Birchbox and Sweetgreen.
Founded: 1998
What they do: Nclud is a full-service digital marketing agency that helps organizations imagine and build highly interactive digital user experiences. With a focus on strategy and style, the agency provides a diverse range of services such as innovation and stakeholder workshops, competitive analysis and competitor monitoring, editorial strategy, multi-channel and targeted campaigns, predictive modeling and regression analysis, event production and organic SEO. Nclud is committed to using cultural influences to shape cultural movements for globally recognized brands.
Who they work with: Adobe, Amazon, Tesla, Oracle and Intel.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Brllnt is a marketing agency and design studio dedicated to creating impact through digital campaigns. The agency’s services include branding and messaging, research and testing, events and promotions, paid media, social media management, design workshops, email marketing and web development. Brllnt is driven by the aim to help brands connect with their target audiences.
Who they work with: ACLU, Asurity, Mine the Gap and Temerity Capital Partners.
Founded: 1999
What they do: Youth Marketing Connection is a marketing agency that specializes in connecting brands and organizations with student-age consumers. Focusing on millennial and Gen-Z audiences, the agency offers a variety of services including student ambassador programs, mobile tours, pop-ups, spring break marketing, social media campaigns and employer re-branding. Youth Marketing Connection’s client base spans a wide range of sectors such as retail, entertainment, financial services and tech.
Who they work with: Tinder, hims, Adidas, Sephora and ASOS.
Founded: 2015
What they do: SunnyNite is a digital marketing agency that focuses on delivering socially conscious strategies. The agency specializes in Wordpress web development, social media strategy and training, brand identity and messaging, copywriting, social media management, one-on-one coaching and graphic design. SunnyNite’s mission is to help small businesses position themselves for the digital age.
Who they work with: CEQ Institute, Orquidea Eats and All N1 Medical.
Founded: 2017
What they do: Implied Marketing is a full-service digital marketing agency that delivers multidimensional branding strategies. Guided by a data-driven approach, the agency provides a wide range of services such as SEO, web design and development, social media management, digital content, video production and PPC management. Implied Marketing is dedicated to helping clients amplify their online presence.
Who they work with: Entrepreneurs, family offices, brands and more.
Founded: 2012
What they do: TUSK provides strategies and marketing solutions specifically for political, issue advocacy, corporate and nonprofit clients. The agency specializes in a wide range of services including brand strategy and roadmapping, video production, reputation management, digital fundraising, email marketing, custom web development, social media and mobile advertising. TUSK’s aim is to develop sound strategies that empower changemakers.
Who they work with: Uber, Stand Up Republic, NeverTrump PAC and InsideSources.
Founded: 2005
What they do: Founded by Kate Tallent, KTD Creative is a full-service digital marketing agency dedicated to helping its clients analyze their audiences and deliver outstanding results. The agency’s services include branding, logo design, online marketing campaigns, event branding, copywriting and editing, information architecture and responsive web design. KTD Creative’s client base spans a variety of sectors including education, financial services, tech and retail.
Who they work with: Rally Point for Collaborative Change, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Dance Place.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Founded by Ned Irons, RIVE is an experiential marketing agency that specializes in design, video and live productions. The agency collaborates with its clients to develop live experiences, content and design work, branded videos, corporate gatherings, B2B videos and product launch campaigns. RIVE is driven by the aim to help organizations operate more quickly and cost effectively.
Who they work with: Samsung, Walmart, Lululemon and Framebridge.
