842 agencies indexed·Latest entry: 17 July 2026
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Service · 23 agencies

Media Buying agencies.

Media Buying is the discipline of planning and purchasing paid media across channels (TV, OOH, print, radio, cinema, digital, programmatic, retail media) on behalf of an advertiser. It is distinct from PPC (search), Paid Social (Meta/TikTok/LinkedIn), and Programmatic (DSP-led automated buying), all of which usually sit inside a fuller media plan rather than alongside it.

At a glance
  • 23 UK agencies offering media buying
  • Across 7 UK locations
  • Reviewed 17 May 2026
Showing 1-23 of 23 media buying agenciesView in full archive
Hello Starling logo
Hello Starling
Independent·Cardiff·11-50 Employees·Verified

Hello Starling is a Cardiff-based media planning and buying agency that prioritises result-driven strategies. Uniquely identified by its dedication to delivering quantifiable results for its clients, Hello Starling utilises data-led insights to customise campaigns for optimal engagement and influence. With a diversity of media specialities, encompassing TV, cinema, radio, outdoor, press, digital,

SK logo
SK
Independent·Reading·11-50 Employees·Verified

SK is a global, full service marketing agency, with specialisms in financial services and technology. We support our clients in building and adapting marketing strategies for success. We deliver advertising, SEO & GEO, design, copy, email marketing, PR, research, strategic consulting, web design, CRM and data strategy, social media marketing and much more to act as an extension of your team. We ar

Digiwoods Marketing logo
Digiwoods Marketing
Independent·Cheshire·2-10 Employees·Verified

For over 7 years, Digiwoods has provided expert digital marketing for B2B business across the UK, helping 7-figure businesses grow with impactful marketing and creative solutions.

Double W Worldwide logo
Double W Worldwide
Independent·London·2-10 Employees·Verified

We’re the brains behind the brands, without the bloat. No neon signs. No ping-pong tables. No senior team pitching you just to hand it over to the juniors. Just bold ideas, brutal honesty, and big-brand brains without the big agency ego.

Leopard Co logo
Leopard Co
Independent·Birmingham·11-50 Employees·Verified

We are Leopard Co! A new agency with a 20-year history created through two award-winning marketing communications consultancies - Big Cat and spottydog communications - joining forces. Now together, we offer clients a full service marketing agency with specialist skills across the marketing communications mix.

Modal Digital logo
Modal Digital
Independent·Manchester·11-50 Employees·Verified

Modal® is a forward-thinking, Manchester-based web design and branding agency committed to transforming the way ambitious brands connect with their audiences online. We use industry-leading coding techniques and strategic brand storytelling to help you achieve lasting impact and measurable results.

Overdrive Digital logo
Overdrive Digital
Independent·London·11-50 Employees·Verified

The B2B Growth Agency Predictable pipeline growth is a constant challenge for B2B marketing teams. It starts with better MQLs, stronger SQL conversion, and efficient customer acquisition. That’s where Overdrive comes in.

Propellernet logo
Propellernet
Independent·Brighton·51-200 Employees·Verified

Trusted by ambitious brands to deliver performance and brand marketing that fuels growth. Tech-enabled, human-led and propelled by purpose, we help you thrive in an ever-changing world.

Simplicity Media logo
Simplicity Media
Independent·London·2-10 Employees·Verified

Simplicity Media is an award winning advertising agency that specialises in data driven digital marketing. Our aim is to be your competitive advantage; maximising budgets to provide full funnel success, driving awareness, consideration and purchasing intent across (but not limited too) all digital led mediums. Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube et al) Paid Search

UM logo
UM
Network·London·51-200 Employees

UM UK, a London-based agency, provides a holistic suite of media and marketing solutions designed to future-proof business operations. With expertise in harnessing cutting-edge business analytics and real-time insights, they drive growth and enrich the customer experience through content and connections deeply anchored in cultural understanding. Distinctive for their commitment to diversity, fairn

KINESSO logo
KINESSO
Network·London·501-1000 Employees

As a leading agency based in London, KINESSO provides innovative, technology-driven performance marketing solutions designed to achieve tangible business results. Our core services encompass Consulting, Data & Tech, Media, Experience, and Content. We leverage advanced automation, AI capabilities, and first-party data to enhance and optimise the connection between brands and their target audiences.

Zenith logo
Zenith
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Zenith is a London-based agency providing a robust array of advertising and marketing solutions. As an integral part of our services, we specialise in media planning and procurement, online marketing, and data analytics, all designed to enhance brand communication strategies. Our distinctive advantage at Zenith is our dedication to utilising data-led insights to craft innovative and high-impact ma

OMD logo
OMD
Network·London·1000+ Employees

OMD is a London-based agency delivering a broad range of media services, with a focus on harnessing data-driven insights to expedite superior decision-making for clients. Their key services encompass digital, data, and content capabilities, all anchored by their bespoke Act Fast Framework, designed for rapid adaptation in response to market fluctuations. OMD sets itself apart with a human-centred

Hearts & Science logo
Hearts & Science
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Hearts & Science is a London-based marketing agency specialising in forging meaningful, large-scale emotional bonds via ground-breaking media strategies. Core services encompass media planning, data analytics, and consumer insights, devised to seize attention in a progressively segmented media environment. The agency's distinct selling point is their aptitude to remodel media strategies, nurturing

Digitas logo
Digitas
Network·London·501-1000 Employees

Digitas, a London-based agency, specialises in a comprehensive suite of digital marketing solutions, concentrating on forging impactful relationships via inventive campaigns and platforms. Their core services encompass campaign creation, app development, and digital strategy, as illustrated by projects such as the OREO Press Play campaign and the Official Glastonbury 2022 App. Digitas' distinctive

Epsilon logo
Epsilon
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Epsilon is a London-based agency specialising in an all-inclusive range of marketing services, with a focus on retail media, digital marketing and customer engagement. Their flagship offerings include Epsilon Retail Media, an AI-powered, person-first solution designed to boost shopper loyalty, and Epsilon PeopleCloud, a platform that tailors customer journeys for unparalleled marketing efficacy. E

PHD logo
PHD
Network·London·1000+ Employees

PHD Media, a London-based agency, specialises in strategic communications and media planning services. They excel in media purchasing, digital marketing, and data analytics, all geared towards helping brands connect efficiently with their desired audiences. PHD Media's unique selling point is their innovative use of data-driven insights to craft powerful campaigns. They predominantly serve sectors

Mediahub logo
Mediahub
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Mediahub, a London-based agency, specialises in strategic media planning and buying, merging human insight with data-led strategies. Their core services encompass the creation of media strategies, cross-channel media procurement, and bespoke advertising solutions, customised to align with each client's unique requirements. What sets Mediahub apart is their emphasis on integrating human expertise w

Performics logo
Performics
Network·London·201-500 Employees

Performics is a London-based agency specialising in holistic performance marketing strategies designed to optimise business results throughout the complete customer decision journey. The firm's core services encompass performance media, content generation, strategic planning and insights, along with analytics and technology solutions. The unique selling point of Performics lies in their intent-dri

Spark Foundry logo
Spark Foundry
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Spark Foundry, a London-based agency, delivers an extensive assortment of media and marketing solutions, tailored to expedite business expansion. They specialise in areas such as media strategising and procurement, data and technological innovation, analytics and insights, e-commerce, CRM, consumer marketing, and marketplace intelligence. Spark Foundry's unique selling point is their proficiency i

Saatchi & Saatchi logo
Saatchi & Saatchi
Network·London·201-500 Employees

Saatchi & Saatchi, a prominent agency based in London, specialises in providing inventive marketing and advertising services. They excel in crafting compelling campaigns for renowned brands such as Waitrose, John Lewis, and EE, with a primary focus on narrative-driven consumer engagement. The agency's unique selling point centres on their dedication to inclusivity within the industry, demonstrated

Essence Global logo
Essence Global
Network·London·501-1000 Employees

Essence Global, a London-based agency, provides data-informed, digital-centric media solutions. Recognised for its proficiency in leveraging analytics and technology, the agency excels in crafting bespoke advertising strategies across diverse platforms. Essence Global aids brands in enhancing their media investment for optimal efficiency and significant impact. Serving a broad spectrum of sectors,

Jellyfish logo
Jellyfish
Network·London·1000+ Employees

Jellyfish is an integrated global digital marketing business founded in 2005 and headquartered at The Shard in London. Since June 2023 it has been part of The Brandtech Group, uniting media, creative and data through technology and generative AI.

Editor's note
Media Buying is a small specialist category in the UK index. Only 17 of the 818 agencies on AgencyIndex lead with it, because the discipline as traditionally defined (cross-channel planning and buying across TV, OOH, radio, print, and digital) is mostly the territory of the big-six holding-group networks and a smaller cohort of independent media shops. Most general digital agencies bundle media buying inside their PPC, paid social, or programmatic offerings rather than calling it out. A dedicated media buying agency owns the full plan: which channels carry which roles, how much sits in linear TV versus CTV versus paid social, what the negotiated rates look like, and how performance reads across the lot. Independents typically charge a flat retainer or a hybrid of retainer plus a small percentage of spend. Holding-group networks (GroupM, Publicis Media, OMG, IPG Mediabrands, dentsu, Havas Media) layer in trading desk fees, technology fees, and consultancy work on top. The sector is more opaque than most marketing disciplines. ISBA, the IPA, and the World Federation of Advertisers have spent the decade since the 2016 ANA/K2 Intelligence transparency report pushing for clearer contracts, disclosed rebates, and audit rights. In 2026 the live agenda is ISBA Origin (cross-media measurement now in expanded availability), principal-based trading disclosure, and retail media converging into the wider plan.
Typical cost
£5,000-100,000+/mo
retainer, or 5-20% of media spend

Independent media agencies: SME cross-channel £2,000-7,500/mo · mid-market £7,500-20,000/mo · larger accounts £15,000-30,000+/mo. Holding-group networks: meaningful retained support £10,000-30,000+/mo · multi-channel enterprise £25,000-100,000+/mo. Commission models: typically 5-15% of spend on larger or execution-led accounts, 10-20% on smaller accounts. Hybrid (base retainer plus % above a threshold) is now the most common 2026 model. Trading desk / execution-only fees usually layered on top.

Realistic timeline
4-12 weeks
brief to launch, then always-on

1-3wk brief, audience and KPI definition, initial channel hypothesis · 1-2wk plan refinement and stakeholder approval · 1-3wk trading and setup (IOs, programmatic builds, tracking, creative trafficking) · launch within days of final sign-off. First pacing read 1-2 weeks post-launch, first formal optimisation report 2-4 weeks in. Always-on cadence: daily delivery checks, weekly optimisation, monthly business review, quarterly planning reset. Complex enterprise or multi-channel launches run 8-12+ weeks.

Red flags
7 to watch
in any pitch
  • · Will not state in writing whether the agency acts as agent or principal on each channel, or refuses to disclose principal-trading margin
  • · No AVB / rebate / vendor incentive clause in the contract, or wording that lets the agency retain undisclosed media-owner rebates
  • · No audit rights for the advertiser, including no access to invoices, supply-path data, or holding-company-level rebate records
  • · Digital supply chain (DSP, SSP, data, verification, trading desk fees) not separated from media cost in reporting
  • · Reluctant to commit to ISBA Framework Agreement principles or IPA contract recommendations as a baseline
  • · Pure percentage-of-spend pricing with no flat-fee or hybrid option, and no commitment to outcome metrics alongside delivery
  • · Trading desk or proprietary inventory recommended as default without an independent benchmark
Frequently asked

What brands ask about media buying agencies.

5 questions our editors get most often, answered honestly. No agency-marketing speak.

Curated by humans

Pricing splits by agency type. Independent media agencies typically charge £2,000-7,500 a month for SME cross-channel work, £7,500-20,000 for mid-market, and £15,000-30,000+ for larger accounts. Big-six holding-group networks (GroupM, Publicis Media, OMG, IPG Mediabrands, dentsu, Havas Media) start at £10,000-30,000 a month for retained support, with multi-channel enterprise mandates at £25,000-100,000+. Commission models run 5-15% of spend on larger accounts and 10-20% on smaller ones. Hybrid retainers (base fee plus % above a threshold) are now the most common 2026 model.