The Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies 2019
Today we are pleased to unveil the 2019 edition of the Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies, the definitive listing of the North’s leading digital agencies spanning SEO and PPC, web, content, mobile and e-commerce.
This year's Top 50 Digital Agencies ranking, unveiled at the exclusive Prolific North Digital Dinner, is part of our market-defining Top 50 series which also includes the Top 50 PR Agencies and the Top 50 Integrated Agencies.
We're also delighted that YouGov is sponsoring both the initiative and the Digital Dinner. YouGov is a global provider of data and analysis generated by consumer panels in 42 markets.
Methodology
As with our other research-led rankings, Mustard Research's work underpins the compilation and has ensured that the process has been rigorous and the results entirely independent – unlike some rankings which are predicated on financial subscriptions and payments to be included.
As with our other Top 50s, the Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies is anchored on financials including balance sheet/shareholder funds, turnover, pre-tax profit, headcount and growth, with the information and data sourced from the agencies themselves and confirmed with the financial reporting company fame Bureau van Dijk and data at Companies House.
We do not publish or reveal any financials; these are discussed privately between the companies and Mustard as we understand that the majority of companies in the ranking publish abbreviated accounts.
Thanks as ever to those agencies who have taken the time to compile information for the initiative.
Summary
Yorkshire's grasp on the top of the rankings has tightened this year with the total number of digital agencies from the county rising from last year to eight out of the top 10.
Since placing third in our first Top 50 Digital Agencies list in 2015, Stickyeyes in Leeds has been awarded the number one spot every year since. This year makes it their fourth year running at the top.
74% of the agencies in the Top 50 are independently-owned agencies, compared to 60% last year.
This year's list includes the highest ever rank for a Sheffield agency - The SEO Works (38) - who were ranked 53rd last year. The last time a Sheffield digital agency made this Top 50 was Joi Polloi, ranked 49th, in 2017.
Other big movers include CSI Media who jumped from 90th last year to break into the Top 50 this year (48). I-COM in Manchester (39) climbs 26 places higher than last year and Newcastle's Hedgehog Lab rises 17 places to the 26th spot.
The Prolific North Top 50 Digital Agencies 2019
Sponsored by YouGov
|
Rank |
Company | Location | Ownership | Services | Staff | Clients |
| 1 (1) | Stickyeyes | Leeds | Interpublic Inc | SEO / PPC |
146 |
Hertz Europe, Tesco Bank, Staples Europe, LG, Gilead |
| 2 (8) |
Visualsoft |
Stockton-on-Tees |
Independent |
Dev / Tech | 280 |
Jules B Ltd, Charles Clinkard, The Electric Tobacconist |
| 3 (6) |
Harrogate |
Independent |
SEO / PPC |
134 |
Slendertone, Osprey Europe, Ryobi, Card Factory, TNT |
|
| 4 (10) |
Search Laboratory |
Leeds |
Independent |
SEO / PPC |
135 |
Ann Summers, Moonpig, Wren Kitchens, Citrix, Viking |
| 5 (15) |
Dept (Building blocks & e3creative) |
Manchester |
Independent |
n/a |
121 |
Sony Playstation, O2, Triumph Motorcycles, Formula-e |
| 6 (7) |
Summit Media |
Brough |
TCC Global |
SEO / PPC |
80 |
Jaguar Land Rover, Sainsbury’s Argos, Reckitt Benckiser |
| 7 (3) | Leeds |
Jaywing Plc |
SEO / PCC |
170 |
PANDORA, Euro Car Parts, Kempinski, ScS, Savills |
|
| 8 (13) |
Edit (Branded3 & Amaze) |
Leeds |
St Ives Group plc |
SEO / PCC |
69 |
Rank Group, Jaguar Land Rover, Travelex, Azzuri, RAC |
| 9 (9) | Leeds |
Baird Group/NI |
Dev / Tech |
91 |
Transport for London, Metropolitan Police, Bank of England, Social Work England |
|
| 10 (5) | Leeds |
Part of MSQ Partners |
50/50 |
144 |
Aggregate Industries, Fortnum & Mason, Proctor & Gamble, NHS |
|
| 11 (11) |
Code Computerlove |
Manchester |
Mediacom North (WPP) |
Dev / Tech |
90 |
Hillarys Blinds, The BBC, Woodlands Trust |
| 12 (14) |
Wirral |
CEUTA Group |
SEO / PPC |
70 |
Kwik Fit, Viesmann, Chill.ie, Liverpool ONE, Oxfam |
|
| 13 (4) |
Latitude Digital Marketing |
Warrington |
Transunion (acquired Callcredit) |
SEO / PPC |
81 |
Comfort Insurance, Allclear, Hilton, London and Country Mortgages |
| 14 (17) |
Manchester |
Independent | Web Dev | 75 |
Merlin Entertainment, Wildlife Trusts, McGraw Hill Education |
|
| 15 (12) |
Think |
Newcastle |
EPAM |
Dev / Tech |
58 |
Atom, Nando's, Vue, Britvic, LV |
| 16 (18) |
Activewin |
Manchester |
Independent | SEO / PPC | 140 |
Petfre, Kerching, Tote, Adzooma, Betable |
| 17 (26) |
Media Works |
Newcastle |
Independent | n/a |
68 |
Yorkshire Water, River Island, History Channel, Stagecoach |
| 18 (19) |
Fusion Unlimited |
Leeds |
Principal Communications |
SEO / PPC |
34 |
Halfords, RBS Group, Liverpool Football Club, McCain Foods |
| 19 (20) |
Degree 53 |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
110 |
Betfred, Penn Interactive Ventures, Co-Op |
| 20 (24) |
Fat Media |
Lancaster |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
69 |
Lakeland, Pork Farms, Typhoo, Heath and Heather |
| 21 (35) |
ICS Media Group |
Leeds |
Racing Post |
SEO / PPC | 60 |
bet365, 888, Oddschecker, Betfair |
| 22 (25) |
Delete Agency |
Leeds |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
38 |
The FA, Roquette, Southampton Football Club, The R&A |
| 23 (22) |
Leighton |
Durham |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
57 |
BA, Home Group, Tourism Australia |
| 24 (29) |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
33 |
Sports Direct, Worldpay, WHSmith, Royal Pharmaceutical Society |
|
| 25 (21) |
Mando |
Liverpool |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
45 |
United Utilities, Electricity Northwest, AA Car Insurance |
| 26 (43) |
Hedgehog Lab |
Newcastle |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
70 |
Thales, Northumbrian Water, Leisure Pass Group, CMC Markets, Santander |
| 27 (31) |
Engage Interactive |
Leeds |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
28 |
Whitbread, British Ceramic Tile, Giraffe Restaurants |
| 28 (23) |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
63 |
United Utilities, Argos Financial Services, the Co-op, NHS |
|
| 29 (-) |
And Digital/Club Kilburn |
Manchester / Leeds |
Independent | n/a | 71 |
Covea, Matalan, Talk Talk, Key Group, evestor |
| 30 (33) |
Enjoy Digital |
Leeds |
Independent | 50/50 | 60 |
Costcutter Supermarket Group, Bank Of Ireland, Marsh |
| 31 (28) |
Return |
Manchester |
Independent |
SEO / PPC |
35 |
The Couture Club, San Carlo, Robinsons Brewery |
| 32 (37) |
Enigma Interactive |
Newcastle |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
36 |
Barbour, Carbon Trust, NHS, Superdrug |
| 33 (49) |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
43 |
Thornton & Ross, Freudenburg Household Products, Turtle Wax, ARM |
|
| 34 (38) |
Clicky Media |
Chester |
Independent | n/a | 44 |
Raleigh, Halton Housing, Northumbrian Water Group, Elegant Resorts |
| 35 (30) |
Chester |
Independent | n/a | 50 |
Aspinall Foundation, Orbit Group, Emirates Old Trafford, Payzone |
|
| 36 (47) |
Parallax |
Leeds |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
30 |
Unilever, Lucy Zodion, Cauldron Foods, NHS, TCS PLC |
| 37 (32) |
Sigma Consulting Solutions Ltd |
Macclesfield |
Sigma IT Consulting Group |
Dev / Tech
|
21 |
AstraZeneca, Mind, NICE, BBC and Sport England |
| 38 (53) |
The SEO Works |
Sheffield |
Independent | SEO / PPC | 39 |
Rab, Denby, Zippo, Roland DG, University of Birmingham |
| 39 (65) |
I-Com |
Manchester |
Independent |
n/a | 36 |
JMW Solicitors, Evaris, Lanes Group, Cedar Electronics, |
| 40 (39) |
Shout Digital |
Newcastle |
Independent |
n/a | 30 |
EXSUS, Parkdean, CPP, NCFE, North P&l |
| 41 (40) |
Bring Digital |
Bolton |
Independent |
SEO / PPC | 35 |
DW Group, Love Energy Savings, Cotton Traders, Wynsors, F1 |
| 42 (90) |
Crewe |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
32 |
The Priory Group, Cargiant, Auto Trader, The Cormar Carpet Company, The Bland Group |
|
| 43 (41) |
Axonn Media |
Manchester |
Independent |
SEO / PPC |
49 |
Cox & Kings, CMI, arrow, Barclay Simpson |
| 44 (59) |
PushOn |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
35 |
Ryman, Medline, Silver Cross, Liverpool One, Virgin Money |
| 45 (45) |
SQ Digital |
Lancaster |
Independent |
SEO / PPC | 35 |
Smart Storage, Roccia, European Springs, Dean Group International, CityBlock |
| 46 (44) |
Cube 3 |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
32 |
Revolution Bars Group, NHS, Merlin Entertainments, Rohan, CAE |
| 47 (51) |
Hull |
Independent |
n/a | 29 |
NHS, Deliveroo, Attiro, Aunt Bessie's |
|
| 48 (34) |
Warrington |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
32 |
Charlotte Tilbury, Silentnight, Dawson, Cox & Cox |
|
| 49 (48) |
Manchester |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
22 |
Welsh Water, Inchcape, Saint Gobain, Biffa & DWF Law |
|
| 50 (62) |
Ixis IT Limited |
Warrington |
Independent |
Dev / Tech |
18 |
Blue Prism, Haringey Council, Association Corporate Treasurers, British Council, IBM |
2018 ranking in brackets
Prolific North Top 50 Integrated Agencies
The North’s leading advertising, marketing, integrated, sales and communications agencies
Prolific North Top 50 PR Agencies
The definitive list of the North’s leading PR agencies
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