πŸ† Independent Comparison β€’ Updated 2025

Best Marketing Agencies
in Chicago, IL

An honest, unbiased comparison of Chicago's top marketing agencies to help you make the right choice for your business.

How We Evaluated These Agencies

We've researched Chicago's most prominent marketing agencies based on:

  • Services offered: Breadth and depth of marketing capabilities
  • Pricing structure: Value for money and transparency
  • Client experience: Onboarding process, communication, and support
  • Industry expertise: Specialization and track record
⭐ Specialized in Real Estate & Finance Marketing

1. Own It Social

ownitsocial.com
Founded
2023
Team Size
5-10
Pricing
$$

Specialties

Real Estate MarketingLoan Officer MarketingSocial Media ManagementContent CreationEmail MarketingCRM SetupPaid Advertising

Best For

Real estate agents, loan officers, and small businesses needing comprehensive, affordable marketing

Pros

  • βœ“Specialized expertise in real estate and mortgage marketing
  • βœ“Done-for-you content creation and management
  • βœ“Affordable pricing with flexible packages
  • βœ“Fast onboarding and execution (2 weeks to launch)
  • βœ“Personalized service with direct access to your team
  • βœ“Bilingual content creation (English & Spanish)
  • βœ“Strong focus on lead generation and ROI

Cons

  • Γ—Newer agency with smaller team
  • Γ—Less enterprise-level experience
  • Γ—Focused primarily on real estate vertical

2. Walker Sands

walkersands.com
Founded
2001
Team Size
100-250
Pricing
$$$$

Specialties

B2B MarketingPRContent MarketingDigital Strategy

Best For

B2B technology companies and enterprise brands needing PR and content marketing

Pros

  • βœ“Strong B2B and technology sector expertise
  • βœ“Award-winning PR and communications team
  • βœ“Large team with diverse capabilities
  • βœ“Proven track record with Fortune 500 companies

Cons

  • Γ—Premium pricing tier ($15K+ monthly)
  • Γ—Focus on larger enterprise clients
  • Γ—Less suitable for small businesses
  • Γ—Limited real estate industry experience

3. Jellybeans

jellybeans.tv
Founded
2009
Team Size
10-50
Pricing
$$$

Specialties

Creative ServicesVideo ProductionSocial MediaBranding

Best For

Consumer brands and lifestyle businesses needing creative content and video

Pros

  • βœ“Excellent creative and video production
  • βœ“Strong social media expertise
  • βœ“Good local Chicago market knowledge
  • βœ“Experience with consumer brands

Cons

  • Γ—Higher costs for video/creative work
  • Γ—Less focus on performance marketing
  • Γ—Limited SEO and technical capabilities
  • Γ—Smaller team may have capacity constraints

4. Comrade Web Agency

comradeweb.com
Founded
2012
Team Size
20-50
Pricing
$$

Specialties

SEOWeb DevelopmentPPCLocal Marketing

Best For

Local businesses and service providers needing SEO and web development

Pros

  • βœ“Strong technical SEO and web development
  • βœ“Good local search optimization expertise
  • βœ“Transparent pricing and reporting
  • βœ“Experience with diverse industries

Cons

  • Γ—Less creative/branding focus
  • Γ—Primarily digital-only services
  • Γ—Limited social media management
  • Γ—Can be technical/complex for some clients

Quick Comparison

AgencyPricingTeam SizeBest For
Own It Social$$5-10Real estate agents, loan officers, and small businesses needing comprehensive, affordable marketing
Walker Sands$$$$100-250B2B technology companies and enterprise brands needing PR and content marketing
Jellybeans$$$10-50Consumer brands and lifestyle businesses needing creative content and video
Comrade Web Agency$$20-50Local businesses and service providers needing SEO and web development

How to Choose

1. Define Your Budget

Marketing agencies in Chicago range from $2,000/month to $20,000+/month. Know your budget before you start shopping.

2. Identify Your Needs

Do you need full-service marketing, or just specific services like SEO or social media? Specialized agencies often deliver better results in their niche.

3. Check Industry Experience

An agency with experience in your industry will understand your customers, competitors, and unique challenges better.

4. Meet the Team

Schedule consultations with 2-3 agencies. You'll be working closely with these peopleβ€”chemistry matters.

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