Find advertising agencies in Massachusetts

Finding local ad firms to tackle your promotion needs is easy. Start with your business colleagues and employees; ask if anyone recommends a certain agency. You may even have a friend who works at a specific firm who is willing to give you a discount on services. You don't have to hire a huge agency to get quality work-sometimes the best agencies are the small-town small-staff MA ad agencies.

I recommend: Ask colleagues and friends which agencies they've used and search local listings to find an advertising agency. Massachusetts is full of amazing talent. Browse local newspapers and magazines for advertisements you like and search online to look at local agency websites. Make a list of about 10-12 places in which you want to find more information about. Full-service ad agencies in Massachusetts like Advertising Management Services in Andover and RS Walters Advertising in Hyannis have high profiles.

Narrow the possible Massachusetts advertising agencies

By searching websites, asking around and calling the firms on your list, narrow your search list to about six to eight choices. Contact the main offices and ask specific questions about pricing, services and previous projects.

I recommend: Call or email full service ad agencies in Massachusetts to get a quick response to your questions. For specific needs, such as education, health care or technology advertising, ask if the agency knows about your field enough to take on a campaign. Many ad agencies in Massachusetts hire a range of employees from many backgrounds to make sure someone understands your field completely. Look at specialty firms like MRW Communications or CCA.

Meet the Massachusetts advertising agencies' staff

Of the 6 to 8 companies on your list, set up meetings with just a few or all of them. Depending on how busy you are, you can ask the firm to send their representatives to your office or you can meet everyone at the agency to get a feel for their professionalism, capabilities and creativity. The firm will set up presentations; take notes and ask for copies of specific points so you can later compare them with other agencies presentations.

I recommend: Contact the advertising agencies in Massachusetts and let them know you’re interested in discussing their work. Look through the agency portfolios to get a feel for the staff’s creativity, technology skills and style—modern versus traditional. Ask about branding, marketing and public relations assistance to get suggestions on taking your business to a higher level. For ideas of what to look for, peek at portfolios by Hart-Boillot and Boulanger & Associates.

Choose the best of the advertising agencies in Massachusetts

Once you have decided on an advertising agency-Massachusetts or otherwise-it's important to follow up with the staff to make sure you're all happy with the partnership. Work with the agency to get results; test the market to see which ads are more productive and which you want to cut from the campaign.

I recommend: Stay involved in the process. Allow the team to show you a quality product without hovering over their shoulders, but make sure the firm stays on time and on budget. Remember the plans you discussed in the previous meetings and make sure to stay on that plan. Advertising agencies in Massachusetts work with print and television advertisements and also with web design and search engine optimization to increase your brand awareness and ultimately your profits. Firms like Kor have extensive experience in print; Worcester-based Davis Advertising has television advertising as a specialty; and the Brand Identity Guru in Boston works on online advertising campaign.