Choosing a branding agency in 2025 means choosing how the world sees you. It’s not just logos — it’s strategy, story, and scale.
Branding now drives investment, market share, and consumer loyalty:
Branding is no longer just logos and colors. In 2025, branding agencies shape how we trust, buy, and talk about companies.
- 82% of investors say brand strength directly influences investment decisions (source).
- 77% of consumers buy from brands that share their values (Edelman Trust Barometer).
- The global brand consulting market is worth over $62 billion as of 2025.
If you’re rebranding or launching something new, this list helps you find the right partner — from global giants to niche experts.
What Do Branding Agencies Actually Do?
A branding agency helps businesses create or improve their brand identity. That includes:
- Brand strategy
- Naming and messaging
- Visual identity (logo, typography, color)
- Packaging design
- Brand guidelines
- Web design and social assets
Some also handle brand activations, advertising campaigns, and content production.
Branding vs. Design Agencies
Design agencies may focus only on visuals. Branding agencies handle the strategic foundation + the visuals.
How We Chose These Branding Agencies
Our ranking includes:
- Creative quality & case studies
- Industry reputation
- Services offered
- Team size and client experience
- Transparent pricing info
- Global presence or niche excellence
We reviewed more than 100 agencies and narrowed it down to the top 10.
Summary and picks
This page helps you hire with confidence. It mirrors winning comparison pages. It includes a data table and clear picks.
Editors’ picks
- Best for CPG, Pharma, health and beauty, packaging, identity, and social: Cool Nerds Marketing.
- Best for culture and fame: Wieden+Kennedy.
- Best for complex portfolios: Interbrand.
- Best for identity craft: Pentagram.
- Best for naming depth: Siegel+Gale.
- Best for packaging power: JKR.
- Best for modular systems: MetaDesign.
Comparison table
| Agency | Best for | HQ | Services | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool Nerds Marketing | CPG, identity + social | Wilmington, DE | Branding, Strategy, identity, packaging, content, influencers, paid | coolnerdsmarketing.com |
| Wieden+Kennedy | Culture-driven fame | Portland, OR | Brand platforms, campaigns, content, experiential | wk.com |
| Interbrand | Brand architecture, valuation | New York, NY | Strategy, design, valuation, architecture | interbrand.com |
| Pentagram | Identity craft | London, UK | Identity, systems, motion, editorial | pentagram.com |
| Siegel+Gale | Naming and clarity | New York, NY | Strategy, naming, design, employee experience | siegelgale.com |
| Landor & Fitch | Global transformation | London, UK | Identity, architecture, packaging, retail | landor.com |
| FutureBrand | Culture alignment | London, UK | Transformation, identity, CX, digital | futurebrand.com |
| Prophet | Growth and CX | San Francisco, CA | Strategy, experience design, transformation | prophet.com |
| DesignStudio | Story with motion | London, UK | Strategy, identity, motion, UX/UI | design.studio |
| Lippincott | Enterprise shifts | New York, NY | Strategy, CX, naming, identity | lippincott.com |
| Jones Knowles Ritchie | Packaging power | London, UK | Identity, packaging, campaign design | jkrglobal.com |
| Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv | Iconic marks | New York, NY | Logos, identity systems, standards | cgstudionyc.com |
| Anagrama | Boutique craft | Monterrey, MX | Branding, naming, packaging, UX/UI | anagrama.com |
| Character | Tech and lifestyle | San Francisco, CA | Identity, naming, packaging, digital | charactersf.com |
| MetaDesign | Modular systems | Berlin, DE | Strategy, UX/UI, identity, motion | metadesign.com |
| Mother | Bold voice | London, UK | Strategy, branding, campaigns, content | motherlondon.com |
| Made Thought | Premium minimalism | London, UK | Identity, art direction, packaging, digital | madethought.com |
How we pick
We score four pillars.
- Results and case outcomes.
- System strength and clarity.
- Category fluency and scale.
- Craft, motion, and rollout depth.
Choosing a branding agency
Start with problems and goals. Define markets, audiences, and KPIs. Set scope: strategy, naming, identity, rollout. Shortlist four to six shops. Run a paid workshop or sprint. Meet the delivery team. Align on budget and timing. Agree on decision gates.
Strategic branding companies
These firms tie brand to growth. They align product, marketing, and design. Good picks: Interbrand, Prophet, Lippincott, Landor.
Brand identity agencies
These firms build the visual system. They define logos, type, color, and motion. Good picks: Pentagram, JKR, CGH, Made Thought.
Top naming agency guide
Seek simple, defendable names. Require linguistics and legal checks. Shortlist: Siegel+Gale, Lippincott, Character.
Largest branding agencies
Global reach helps complex rollouts. Leaders include Interbrand and Landor. Also consider Prophet and Lippincott.
Top by city
Top branding agencies in London
Pentagram, DesignStudio, Mother, Made Thought.
Top branding agencies in Los Angeles
W+K, Pentagram, Mother.
Top branding companies in the US
Interbrand, Landor, Lippincott, Prophet.
Top brand development companies NYC
Pentagram, Interbrand, Lippincott, CGH.
Top 17 agency profiles
Each profile lists facts, fit, and edge.
1. Cool Nerds Marketing
Cool Nerds Marketing is a bold branding and creative agency known for its strong presence in the CPG sector. They deliver full-service support across strategy, design, social media, influencer marketing, and paid media execution. With a track record of working with powerhouse brands under Unilever, P&G, and Mars, they bring global standards with a fast-moving, modern creative edge. Their team thrives in categories like food, beverage, wellness, and lifestyle and supports both startups and established brands expanding into the U.S. market. They’re especially effective for brands entering new regions.
- Locations: Newark, NJ; Remote hubs
- Year Founded: 2014
- Work: Brands under Unilever, P&G, Campbell’s, Mars, Chobani
- Services: Strategy, identity, guidelines, social, influencers, paid media
- Best For: Food and beverage, wellness, lifestyle, market entry
- Site: coolnerdsmarketing.com
- Edge: Creative plus go‑to‑market in one team
2. Wieden+Kennedy
Wieden+Kennedy is a global creative force known for unforgettable campaigns. With offices across major global cities, they’ve led work for brands like Nike and Coca-Cola that changed the way people see advertising. They don’t just create ads—they create brand moments that turn into cultural conversations. Their storytelling and platform-building capabilities are trusted by some of the world’s biggest brands.
- Locations: Portland, NYC, London, more
- Year Founded: 1982
- Work: Nike and global brands
- Services: Platforms, campaigns, content, experiential
- Best For: Fame and reach
- Site: wk.com
3. Interbrand
Interbrand is one of the oldest and most respected names in global brand consultancy. Famous for their annual Best Global Brands report, they tie brand value directly to business performance. From brand architecture to corporate design, Interbrand is a trusted advisor for companies managing complex portfolios across the globe. Their approach blends financial rigor with deep brand strategy.
- Locations: Global
- Year Founded: 1974
- Work: Best Global Brands program
- Services: Strategy, valuation, design, architecture
- Best For: Complex portfolios
- Site: interbrand.com
4. Pentagram
Pentagram stands as a global leader in design, known for timeless, system-driven work across branding, editorial, and environmental design. They are unique in their partner-led structure, where designers lead client work hands-on. Their branding work for Mastercard, Saks Fifth Avenue, and the Windows rebrand are iconic in the industry. Pentagram is ideal for brands seeking high-end, enduring design.
- Locations: London, New York, Berlin, Austin
- Year Founded: 1972
- Work: Mastercard, Windows, Saks Fifth Avenue
- Services: Identity, editorial, motion, environment
- Best For: Design‑driven brands
- Site: pentagram.com
5. Siegel+Gale
Siegel+Gale is a global brand experience firm that believes in the power of simplicity. With a strong focus on enterprise clients, their work cuts through complexity to deliver clear, meaningful brand interactions. From strategy to naming, their services shape employee experiences as much as consumer touchpoints. Their clarity-first approach resonates with tech, healthcare, and finance brands.
Site: siegelgale.com
Locations: New York, LA, London, Dubai, Shanghai, Tokyo
Year Founded: 1969
Work: SAP, CVS Health, HPE
Services: Strategy, naming, design, employee experience
Best For: Naming and enterprise clarity
6. Landor & Fitch
Landor & Fitch is a global branding powerhouse with decades of experience in brand transformation. They’ve partnered with PepsiCo, FedEx, and P&G on initiatives involving identity, retail, packaging, and brand architecture. Their strength lies in scale—they can guide massive rebrands across global regions with consistency. Their work blends visual identity with consumer experience and brand governance.
Locations: Worldwide
Year Founded: 1941
Work: FedEx, PepsiCo, P&G
Services: Identity, architecture, packaging, retail
Best For: Multi-market change
Site: landor.com
7. FutureBrand
FutureBrand helps companies transform their brands in ways that connect deeply with shifting cultures and customer behavior. Their portfolio includes work with American Airlines and Nespresso, blending identity systems with experience design. With a focus on future readiness, they help brands bridge business strategy with cultural relevance through clear design, CX, and positioning.
Locations: Global
Year Founded: 1999
Work: American Airlines, Nespresso
Services: Transformation, identity, CX, digital
Best For: Culture and market alignment
Site: futurebrand.com
8. Prophet
Prophet blends brand strategy, customer experience, and growth transformation. Their teams work with major brands like T‑Mobile and Marriott to reposition, expand, or unify their brand voice during times of change—especially after mergers, new leadership, or market shifts. Prophet’s approach is both analytical and creative, grounded in insights and execution.
Locations: U.S., Europe, Asia
Year Founded: 1992
Work: T‑Mobile, UBS, Marriott
Services: Strategy, experience, transformation
Best For: Mergers and repositioning
Site: prophet.com
9. DesignStudio
DesignStudio brings story-driven design to life through bold, motion-focused identities. Known for creating memorable brand systems for Airbnb and Riot Games, the agency excels at blending narrative with digital clarity. Their global footprint allows them to support diverse industries, and their strength lies in capturing the soul of a brand in movement, form, and interaction.
Locations: London, New York, Sydney
Year Founded: 2009
Work: Airbnb, Riot Games
Services: Strategy, identity, motion, UX/UI
Best For: Narrative-led brands
Site: design.studio
10. Lippincott
Part of the Oliver Wyman group, Lippincott merges creativity and business consulting to craft brands that lead in both story and scale. They’ve helped companies like Delta and Samsung transform through strategy and experience-led design. Their unique positioning as a creative consultancy allows them to guide Fortune 500 shifts with both analytical rigor and emotional intelligence.
Locations: Global
Year Founded: 1943
Work: Delta, Samsung, Starbucks
Services: Strategy, CX, naming, identity
Best For: Fortune 500 shifts
Site: lippincott.com
11. Jones Knowles Ritchie
Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) stands out for bold visual identity and packaging design that reshapes iconic brands. With a focus on CPG, their work with Budweiser, M&M’s, and Burger King shows a knack for combining heritage with fresh expression. Their visual storytelling consistently delivers punch and precision across formats and categories.
Locations: London, New York, Shanghai
Year Founded: 1990
Work: Burger King, Budweiser, M&M’s
Services: Identity, packaging, campaign design
Best For: CPG and beverage icons
Site: jkrglobal.com
12. Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv
This New York-based design studio is known for creating timeless logos and symbols that have become part of global culture. Their work spans decades, shaping the visual identities of brands like NBC, National Geographic, and Chase. Their design philosophy focuses on simplicity, clarity, and longevity.
Locations: New York
Year Founded: 1957
Work: NBC, National Geographic, Chase
Services: Logos, identity systems, standards
Best For: Institutions and media
Site: cgstudionyc.com
13. Anagrama
Anagrama blends vibrant design with strategic branding for startups and retail-focused brands. Based in Mexico, they’ve built a reputation for visually striking work in fashion, hospitality, and lifestyle. Their attention to typography, color, and layout makes them a go-to choice for brands that want both form and function.
Locations: Monterrey, Mexico City
Year Founded: 2009
Work: Fashion and hospitality brands
Services: Branding, naming, packaging, UX/UI
Best For: Design-forward startups and retail
Site: anagrama.com
14. Character
Character is a San Francisco-based branding agency that blends identity, naming, and packaging to support tech and lifestyle brands. Their design systems are clean, modern, and adaptable—ideal for high-growth companies like Google, Fitbit, and Oculus that need consistency across touchpoints.
Locations: San Francisco
Year Founded: 1999
Work: Google, Fitbit, Oculus
Services: Identity, packaging, naming, digital
Best For: High-growth brands
Site: charactersf.com
15. MetaDesign
MetaDesign delivers large-scale branding systems that are ready for global platforms. With a heavy focus on digital-first experiences, their clients include Apple, Adobe, and Volkswagen. Their strength lies in designing scalable, cohesive brand languages that work seamlessly across geographies and devices.
Locations: Berlin, Düsseldorf, San Francisco, New York, Beijing, Zurich
Year Founded: 1979
Work: Apple, Adobe, Volkswagen
Services: Strategy, UX/UI, identity, motion
Best For: System-heavy programs
Site: metadesign.com
16. Mother
Independent and creatively fearless, Mother has long been one of the world’s most original branding and advertising agencies. Their work often grabs attention with bold ideas and deep cultural understanding. From IKEA to Uber, they consistently deliver campaigns that stand out and resonate.
Locations: London, New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai
Year Founded: 1996
Work: IKEA, KFC, Uber
Services: Strategy, branding, campaigns, content
Best For: Breakthrough creative
Site: motherlondon.com
17. Made Thought
Made Thought focuses on elegant, minimalist branding for premium and luxury companies. They’ve helped define the aesthetic of brands like Aesop and Stella McCartney with carefully crafted identities that translate across packaging, digital, and environmental touchpoints. Their design work is both refined and iconic.
Locations: London, New York
Year Founded: 2000
Work: Aesop, MoMA, Stella McCartney
Services: Identity, art direction, packaging, digital
Best For: Luxury and lifestyle
Site: madethought.com
Pricing
Identity sprints start at $50k–$100k. Full strategy and identity land at $150k–$400k. Enterprise programs can reach $500k–$1M+. Packaging programs vary by SKUs. Ask for a fixed scope.
Timelines
Sprints run 2–4 weeks. Full programs run 8–16 weeks. Global rollouts can extend longer. Allow time for research and legal checks.
RFP questions
What business goals drive this work? Which markets and audiences are in scope? What is the decision process and timing? Who is on the delivery team? How will success be measured? What are key risks and assumptions?
FAQ
What does a branding agency do? It defines your brand and its system. It builds rules for consistent use.
How do I compare proposals? Check scope, team, milestones, and rights.
When should we rebrand? After major shifts or if key signals drop.
Do agencies handle social and web? Many do. This keeps launch work aligned.
Sources
Sources
Material Design guidelines for brand systems. https://m2.material.io/design/guidelines-overview
Marq brand consistency research and blog. https://www.marq.com/blog/brand-consistency
Interbrand Best Global Brands 2024. https://interbrand.com/best-global-brands/
USPTO trademark search. https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/
USPTO trademark search guide. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search
