What are the big agencies in town: Leo, Havas, FCB, Digitas, DDB, BBDO, Dentsu, VML, OKRP, Highdive and? This is supposed to be such a big advertising town, but you only hear about a small number of agencies. Or is there a big client side creative-community here?

likehelpful
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A non-comprehensive list below in no particular order – inclusive of large and independent. Several of these agencies I have no personal knowledge of their reputations or full service offerings – I simply know they exist. Hopefully it gives you a decent jumping off point if you’re job hunting.

-Leo Burnett
-Energy BBDO
-DDB
-FCB
-Ogilvy
-Cramer-Krasselt
-VMLY&R
-Havas
-Highdive
-Tom Dick & Harry
-Laughlin Constable
-OKRP/Barkley
-Schafer Condon Carter
-MERGE
-Arc Worldwide
-Digitas
-The Marketing Arm
-Upshot
-The Marketing Store
-Two by Four
-SRW
-50,000ft
-Escape Pod
-Plan B
-The Distillery Project
-Razorfish
-TPN
-Fusion92

likehelpful

@acd2 but how to get in? Any recruiters that actually respond?

Most have been swallowed up by holding companies so it's really Publicis, Omnicom, IPG, and WPP.

likehelpful

Thanks LB 1. So if I'm looking for places to work, I should search recruiters at those holding companies on LinkedIn?

In Chicago, we have 1 incredible agency (Highdive) and 4 ok/meh agencies (DDB, BBDO, FCB, and Leo). All others are irrelevant. They are below meh.

likehelpful

I do like Quality Meats

likehelpful

Avoid Havas

likehelpful

Avoid omnicom agencies

likehelpful

This and be weary of the sausage coming out of FCB too

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Holding companies in general are bad. Go for the independent shops. Better bonuses

likesmarthelpful

Avoid holding companies at all cost.

If you have to, get in and get tf out.

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Laughlin Constable, SCC, Quality Meats (but remote), TMA, Cramer-Krasselt, and Ogilvy are some others.

likehelpful

I would stay away from TMA. Place is a fucking mess they keep laying off and hiring simultaneously.

I'm not seeing too many mentions of experiential, shopper, media, and PR agencies...of which there are also very many.

OP - the number of agencies here really is huge, did you just move to Chicago?

likesmart

Fairly new to this market. Yes.

Ogilvy

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