22 min read

Top 25 Chicago Branding Agencies

Branding is the business of building a brand identity across various platforms and working constantly to improve the perception through research, brand strategy, brand communications, etc. Here’s a list of the top 25 branding agencies in Chicago.

Branding is critical to the success of every business organization. It encompasses all the activities, techniques, and processes involved in building a brand image, shaping public perception of the brand, and improving its brand awareness. If you take a look at the most popular global brands, a distinct feature that sets them apart from their competitors is their unique branding.  

Oftentimes, branding is one of the very first steps that a new business has to tick off the checklist before any other activities. Branding controls how the external public sees and interacts with a brand, which explains why a lot of popular brands outsource this service to independent teams of expert brand designers (branding agencies). 

Branding agencies offer a wide range of services from logo design to brand identity, brand messaging, brand positioning, brand voice, and many more. The city of Chicago, regarded as the international hub of finance, industry, culture, and commerce, is home to some of the best branding agencies in the US. 

What is a branding agency?

A branding agency is a specialized agency focused on creating, building and rebuilding brands. A branding agency will conceptualize a logo, brand name, brand identity and develop a detailed brand guideline for companies to use. This guideline usually includes logo color inversions, colors to be used in various templates, symbols and other communication.

Why is a branding agency important?

Developing your product and service into a brand is the most important step to creating a market share. Because there is so much clutter and information available in the market, it is hard for people to remember different products and services. Therefore, companies make a concerted effort to make sure that their brand is outstanding. This is why a branding agency is very important, as they develop the product and service into a brand that is unique and will be memorable.

A branding agency enables your brand to stand out in the market and create its own space. The agency will develop your brand and help you communicate it to the target audience as well.

How to get started with a branding agency

To start with a branding agency, you need to have a product or service that you would like to convert into a brand. Then you need to take the following steps:

1) Select your branding agency

Once you have identified the product or service you want to get branded, you must select the branding agency that fits best to your industry. There are many good branding agencies out there, so you can shortlist your top 3 to speak to and get proposals from. These agencies will work with you to give you the best proposal.

2) Agree on the scope of services

When you have selected your branding agency, you should develop a document that details the services you are looking for. This document enables you to keep track of the requirements and also defines the scope for the agency. This will help avoid any miss communication from either side.

3) Execute and implement

To create top of mind branding with the customers, it is important to be consistent. Once you have identified and developed your branding, it is essential to execute it in all promotion and communication avenues. This helps your customer remember your brand in the market.

Top 25 Chicago Branding Agencies

We have identified the top 25 Chicago branding agencies based on their skills, competence, and strong reputation in helping brands in Chicago build a visual identity and maintain distinct brand communication. 

1. TOP Agency

Top Agency

Location: Chicago, San Francisco, New York

Year Founded: 2018

Company size: 100

TOP Agency is a leading branding agency that specializes in branding designs, brand messaging, brand communications, and  brand identity. Their team of experts combine a well-researched branding strategy with affordable packages to help companies build their brand identity and awareness. For more information about their branding services and management. Visit their website  here.

Client list:

  • Appvance
  • Dronedeploy
  • Marchex
  • Noiseaware

2. Monogram Group

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 1990

Company size: 50

The Monogram Group is a brand agency based in Chicago, Illinois. They specialize in market research, brand identity, advertising, and brand identity services for small and mid-market companies in business services, consumer products, and services, education, financial services, and manufacturing industries. Visit their website here

Client list:

  • Eli Lilly
  • Goldwind America
  • Chicago Symphony
  • Lebua Hotels & Resorts

3. Social Driver

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2011

Company size: 50

Social Driver is a digital agency that specializes in digital strategy, web design, social media marketing, and branding services for small, medium, and large-sized companies. They mostly serve clients in education, healthcare, non-profit, business services, and politics industries. Visit their website  here

Client list:

  • The Education Trust 
  • American Nurses Association 
  • Elizabeth Dole Foundation 
  • Goodwill Industries International

4. Conjure

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 1996

Company size: 50

Conjure is a full-service digital agency that provides branding, graphics design, and digital strategy services for mid-market and enterprise-level clients. They offer a wide range of branding services to clients in financial services, education, retail, business services, and consumer products and services industries. Visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Sodexo
  • Verso
  • United States Steel
  • Fairmont Hotels

5. Paragraph, LLC

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2018

Company size: 50

Paragraph, LLC is a full-time graphics design firm that specializes in graphics design, branding, and web design service for small, medium, and large organizations in business services, healthcare, consumer products & services, IT, manufacturing, and energy & natural resources industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Hyatt
  • IBM Watson
  • Baxter Healthcare
  • Exelon Corporation

6. Artversion

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 1999

Company size: 50

Artversion is a web design agency based in Chicago, Portland, and San Francisco. They specialize in graphics design, web design, UX/UI design, and branding services for clients in the education, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, non-profit, hospitality & leisure, retail, and telecommunications industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here

Client list:

  • TransUnion
  • Volvo
  • MackTrucks
  • Caterpillar

7. Kaleidoscope

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 1995

Company size: 100

Kaleidoscope is a full-service branding agency with offices in Chicago, Cincinnati, and New York. They provide a wide range of services from packaging design and marketing strategy to product design as well as branding to clients in business services, eCommerce and healthcare industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • ALDi
  • Grupo Bimbo
  • Duracell
  • Mars Wrigley

8. BatesMeron Sweet Design

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2005

Company size: 50

BatesMeron Sweet Design is a full-service creative and digital marketing agency that specializes in direct marketing, branding and web design. They also provide a wide range of digital marketing services for clients in business services, telecommunication, retail, financial services, and non-profit industries. Visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Kraft
  • Kin + Carta
  • Chicago Flower & Garden Show
  • Navy Pier Chicago

9. Cultivate

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2001

Company size: 250

Cultivate is a brand and digital agency that provides a number of branding services from web design & development and UI/UX design to mobile app development, digital strategy, and video production. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Diadem
  • Ozinga
  • The Chicago International Film Festival 
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago

10. Logical Media Group

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2006

Company size: 50

Logical Media Group is a full-service branding and digital marketing agency based in Chicago, Illinois. They specialize in SEO, PPC, conversion rate optimization (CRO), display marketing, email marketing, and social media marketing. They have worked with clients in the eCommerce, education, financial services, consumer products & services, business services industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Protein20
  • Fresh Wave
  • Vienna Beef
  • Learning Resources

11. VisualFizz

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2006

Company size: 10

VisualFizz is a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, PPC, social media marketing, email marketing, web design & development, digital marketing strategy, and branding services. They mostly serve clients in business services, consumer products & services, eCommerce, manufacturing, real estate, and retail industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Toyota
  • Orderly
  • Spiro
  • Exhale

12. Concentric Design

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2016

Company size: 10

Concentric Design is a full-service graphics design agency that specializes in graphics design, branding, and web design. They service clients in the automotive-, financial services-, consumer product & services, medical-, IT-, manufacturing, and non-profit industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Paylocity
  • Hertz
  • Teach for America
  • United Airlines 

13. ColorJar

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2008

Company size: 50

ColorJar is a full-services brand and design agency based in Chicago. They specialize in graphics design, brand identity design, and branding services for small and mid-sized clients in financial services, hospitality & leisure, consumer products & services, and real estate, and retail industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Air Bud 
  • 1871
  • Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill 
  • Aiwa

14. 97 Switch

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2013

Company size: 10

97 Switch is a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, PPC, web design & development, email marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing for clients in medical, manufacturing, real estate, business, and financial services industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here.

Client list:

  • Cardinal Investment Advisors 
  •  SMASHotels
  •  Option Hotline
  • theWit Hotel in Chicago

15. Mabbly

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2013

Company size: 10

Mabbly is a full-service advertising and integrated marketing firm that provides a wide range of services ranging from SEO, branding, web design & development to digital and marketing strategy and content marketing. They have worked with clients in the consumer products & services, retail, manufacturing, financial services, and medical industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Tolmar
  • Graymont X
  • Graymont Medical 
  • Verano Holding Company

16. Yakkety Yak Marketing

Location: Chicago, IL

Company size: 50

Yakkety Yak Marketing is an advertising and digital marketing agency that specializes in SEO, PPC, content marketing, web design & development, digital strategy, and social media marketing for clients in business service, non-profit and medical industries. Visit their website  here

Client list:

  • America Migraine Foundation 
  • America Headache Society 
  • Ashland Breast Pumps 
  • Anselmo Lindberg & Associates

17. 3Q/Dept Digital

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2007

Company size: 300

3Q/Dept Digital is a digital marketing and strategic consulting agency with its headquarters in San Mateo but also has offices in San Francisco,  New York and Chicago. They specialize in social media marketing, SEO, PPC, digital strategy, and digital analytics. Visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Square
  • Eventbrite
  • ModCloth
  • SurveyMonkey.

18. Verve Marketing Group

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2008

Company size: 50

Verve Marketing Group is a web design and creative solutions agency that specializes in web design & development, SEO, print design, digital strategy, branding, and content marketing service. They have served clients in the business services, consumer products & services, non-profit, and education industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • HarperCollins
  • New International Version 
  • Particle Technology Labs 
  • Cornerstone Children’s Learning Centre

19. Symmetri Marketing

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2008

Company size: 10

Symmetri Marketing is a web development agency with its headquarters in Northville, Michigan. They specialize in web design and development, UX/UI design, and digital technology services for midmarket and enterprise-based clients in education, manufacturing, media, IT, medical and non-profit industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

20. A Willing Participant

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2014

Company size: 10

A Willing Participant, INC is an advertising firm based in Chicago. They provide a wide range of services from direct marketing, digital advertising and branding to web development, campaign development, and digital marketing. They have worked for clients in the consumer products & services, business services, financial services, and non-profit industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here

Client list:

  • Accelerate Institute 
  • Children’s Home & Aid 
  • Delaro Wear Solutions 
  • Independence- 4-Senior

21. Olive Street Design

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2005

Company size: 50

Olive Street Design is a design and marketing solutions agency that specializes in SEO, PPC, web design, digital strategy, photography, social media marketing, and content marketing. They have worked with clients in the retail, eCommerce, IT, and medical industries. Visit their website  here.  

Client list:

  • Chicago Public Schools 
  • Seattle Times 
  • Sweet Baby Ray’s catering 
  • University of Florida

22. C2 Creative

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2012

Company size: 10

C2 Creative is a branding and marketing agency that specializes in logo design, UX/UI design, creative strategy, web design, creative marketing, brand identity, and brand messaging services. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Chowly 
  • DaVita
  • Motorola 
  • HERE Technologies.

23. Bandwidth Marketing Group

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2005

Company size: 10

Bandwidth Marketing Group is a creativity consulting agency that specializes in advertising, branding, web design, and digital marketing. Their clients are small and mid-sized companies in the non-profit, healthcare, IT, and real estate industries. For more information about their branding services and management, visit their website  here.

Client list:

  • WRS
  • VillageMD
  • Guaranteed Rate 
  • Abbvie

24. Sherman

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 2001

Company size: 10

Sherman is a public relations and digital advertising agency that provides a wide range of services from marketing strategy, public relations and social media marketing to content marketing and digital strategy. Their clients are in the healthcare, IT, and real estate industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Core Spaces
  • The Harris Poll
  • RWE Renewables 
  • American Academy of Art

25. Simple Truth

Location: Chicago, IL

Year Founded: 1996

Company size: 50

Simple Truth is a creative brand agency that specializes in branding, content marketing, and graphics design services for clients in real estate, medical, non-profit, business services, as well as the financial services industries. Visit their website  here. 

Client list:

  • Allstate
  • Baird & Warner 
  • AvalonBay Communities 
  • Adtalem
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