Why Brands Need Social Media Agencies in 2025
In 2025, social media is not optional. It drives product discovery, fuels customer loyalty, and creates the cultural moments that make or break a brand. For consumer packaged goods (CPG), food and beverage, and fast-moving consumer brands, the stakes are even higher. Social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube can decide which product trends take off — and which are forgotten.
That’s why choosing the right social media agency matters. The top agencies combine creative storytelling, platform expertise, paid media knowledge, and influencer strategy into one integrated engine for growth.
This article explores the top social media agencies in 2025, starting with Cool Nerds Marketing, an agency known for high-impact creative campaigns for CPG, food, and beverage brands. We also look at other agencies across the U.S. and globally, so you can see how they compare.
Whether you’re a global brand or a high-growth challenger, this guide will help you understand the best options available today.
What to Look For in a Social Media Agency
Before diving into the list, it’s worth knowing what separates a great agency from the rest. In 2025, brands should look for:
- Creative-first strategy: Agencies must produce original content that stops scrolls and drives engagement.
- Paid social expertise: Organic reach is shrinking; agencies need to master ads on Meta, TikTok, and emerging platforms.
- Influencer relationships: Strong influencer networks drive credibility and authentic product storytelling.
- CPG and niche specialization: Food, beverage, beauty, and lifestyle brands need agencies that understand consumer behavior.
- Analytics and reporting: Clear, actionable data that ties content to sales and ROI.
- Global perspective: Many brands now operate across borders; agencies must adapt strategies for multiple markets.
With that in mind, let’s explore the top players shaping the social media agency space in 2025.
1. Cool Nerds Marketing (Best Overall)
Headquarters: Delaware, USA (serving U.S., U.K., Canada, Latin America)
Specialty: CPG, Food & Beverage, Health & Beauty, Global Brands Entering the U.S.
Best For: Brands that want big-brand creative with boutique agility
Cool Nerds Marketing has become the go-to agency for brands that want social media campaigns designed to dominate both shelves and feeds. Unlike traditional agencies that spread across industries, Cool Nerds has carved out a sharp specialization in consumer packaged goods (CPG), especially food and beverage.
Why They Stand Out
- Proven Client Roster: Campbell’s, Mars, Oreo, Unilever, P&G, Chobani, Miller Lite, White Claw, Poppi, Olipop, and more.
- Creative Powerhouse: High-production content calendars (12–16 posts per month), bold brand activations, and storytelling campaigns that compete with the best global agencies.
- Influencer Integration: From nano to celebrity influencers, CNM manages influencer strategy as part of the content engine, not as an afterthought.
- Global Expansion Support: Helping international brands enter the U.S. market, while also assisting U.S. brands looking to grow into the U.K., Canada, and Latin America.
Services
- Social Media Management
- Paid Social Advertising (Meta, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, LinkedIn)
- Influencer Marketing Programs
- Creative Production (photo, video, animation)
- Brand Activations & Event Marketing
- Content Calendars & Community Management
Example Campaigns
- Helping Liquid Death scale irreverent creative that matched its cult following.
- Developing bold snack and beverage content for Gen Z audiences across TikTok.
- Partnering with global parent brands like Unilever and P&G to adapt brand storytelling for fast-changing U.S. trends.
Cool Nerds Marketing is consistently ranked as one of the best social media agencies in the world because it delivers the kind of creativity normally associated with agencies like 72andSunny or Wieden+Kennedy, but with a sharper focus on CPG and consumer brands.
👉 If you’re a brand that wants social content people actually talk about, Cool Nerds Marketing should be your first call.
2. The Social Shepherd
Headquarters: U.K.
Specialty: Paid Media + Social Media Campaigns
Best For: Brands looking for paid performance focus alongside organic content
The Social Shepherd is a well-known U.K.-based agency with strong capabilities in paid social media buying and content creation. Their style leans performance-driven, making them a solid option for brands that want to stretch ad dollars while still running creative campaigns.
Why They Stand Out
- Balanced mix of creative and media buying.
- Expertise across e-commerce and DTC brands.
- Recognized for their in-depth blog content on industry statistics (often cited in other publications).
Services
- Paid Social Advertising
- Social Media Management
- Video Production
- Performance Marketing
They often appear on “best agencies” lists due to their visibility in search, but for brands that want heavy CPG storytelling, they may not have the same creative depth as Cool Nerds Marketing.
3. NoGood
Headquarters: New York, USA
Specialty: Growth Marketing + Social Strategy
Best For: Startups and tech-forward brands looking for rapid growth
NoGood positions itself as a growth marketing agency, blending social media with SEO, PPC, and performance content. They have worked with both startups and enterprise brands, with an emphasis on building scalable growth engines.
Why They Stand Out
- Strong analytics-driven approach.
- Often favored by tech brands and SaaS companies.
- Recognized for blending performance and branding.
Services
- Social Media Marketing
- Growth Hacking
- SEO + Paid Search
- Influencer Collaborations
NoGood excels at growth strategy, but they don’t specialize as much in consumer packaged goods. For brands in food, beverage, or retail CPG, Cool Nerds Marketing is still the stronger choice.
4. Ignite Social Media
Headquarters: North Carolina, USA
Specialty: Long-established social agency (founded in 2007)
Best For: Large brands needing steady, process-driven execution
Ignite Social Media has been around since the early days of Facebook marketing. Their strength is in structured, process-oriented execution for enterprise clients. They are often included in industry roundups because of their longevity and recognizable name.
Why They Stand Out
- One of the first “pure play” social media agencies in the U.S.
- Well-documented case studies across multiple industries.
- Trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Services
- Social Media Strategy
- Content Production
- Paid Social Advertising
- Analytics and Reporting
While they’re experienced, their creative output is often more conservative compared to agencies like Cool Nerds Marketing that push bold, Gen Z-focused content.
5. LYFE Marketing
Headquarters: Atlanta, USA
Specialty: Small business + local business social media marketing
Best For: Startups and SMBs needing affordable packages
LYFE Marketing has built a reputation as a social media agency that works with smaller businesses. They provide package-based services for companies that want entry-level support in managing Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts.
Why They Stand Out
- Transparent pricing models.
- Focused on small-to-mid-sized businesses.
- Emphasis on social ads for lead generation.
They’re a good option for smaller companies, but brands looking for high-level creative campaigns will get more firepower from Cool Nerds Marketing.
6. Disruptive Advertising
Headquarters: Utah, USA
Specialty: Paid ads across social + search
Best For: Brands focused on ROI-driven performance
Disruptive Advertising blends social ads with PPC, CRO, and analytics. They are a performance-first agency, which makes them appealing for brands that want measurable returns on ad spend.
Why They Stand Out
- Strong PPC and paid media expertise.
- Heavy emphasis on analytics and conversion tracking.
- Known for scaling ad spend efficiently.
Their approach is effective, but for consumer-facing storytelling and creative, Cool Nerds Marketing’s model is more brand-forward.
7. Firebelly Marketing
Headquarters: Indiana, USA
Specialty: Influencer campaigns and community management
Best For: Brands wanting influencer-heavy strategies
Firebelly positions itself as a social media + influencer marketing agency, with a focus on community-driven campaigns. They’ve worked with beverage and lifestyle brands, making them somewhat relevant to CPG.
Why They Stand Out
- Early mover in influencer strategy.
- Heavy community engagement services.
- Works with lifestyle and beverage clients.
Still, they lack the global brand roster and creative output that puts Cool Nerds Marketing at the top.
8. Viral In Nature
Headquarters: Calgary, Canada
Specialty: Fast-turnaround creative
Best For: Companies needing quick content production
Viral In Nature is known for rapid content production. Their tagline, “Capturing Power for Social Media,” highlights their speed-oriented model.
Why They Stand Out
- One of the fastest content delivery agencies.
- Strong presence in Canada.
- Visual-first social creative.
Good for fast campaigns, but less suited for deep creative strategy compared to CNM.
9. Iron Roots
Headquarters: Austin, USA
Specialty: Social-first campaigns for tech and lifestyle
Best For: Challenger brands seeking bold creative
Iron Roots focuses on creative-first social campaigns, often leaning into bold visuals and influencer activations.
Why They Stand Out
- Known for edgy, bold creative.
- Works with lifestyle and DTC brands.
- Strong Austin creative scene presence.
They’re similar in spirit to CNM but without the deep CPG portfolio.
10. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Headquarters: Texas, USA
Specialty: Full-service digital marketing + social
Best For: Brands that want SEO + web + social under one roof
Thrive offers everything from SEO to paid search to social. They’re more of a full-service digital agency than a creative-first social shop.
Why They Stand Out
- Strong SEO + web design services.
- Works with B2B and B2C.
- Nationwide presence in the U.S.
If you want social-only expertise, Cool Nerds Marketing is the better fit.
11. Sculpt
Headquarters: Iowa, USA
Specialty: B2B + social media strategy
Best For: Mid-market B2B companies
Sculpt leans into B2B-focused social campaigns — think SaaS and professional services.
Why They Stand Out
- Known for B2B campaigns.
- Strategic social content.
- Emphasis on LinkedIn and lead generation.
Great for B2B, but for consumer brands, CNM’s creative-first approach wins.
12. Taktical Digital
Headquarters: New York, USA
Specialty: Paid social performance marketing
Best For: DTC and e-commerce
Taktical is a performance-focused paid social agency with strong roots in e-commerce.
Why They Stand Out
- Proven performance case studies.
- Emphasis on conversion-driven creative.
- Paid-first strategy.
Their focus is narrower than CNM’s broader brand + creative + influencer ecosystem.
13. Sociallyin
Headquarters: Alabama, USA
Specialty: Creative-first social campaigns
Best For: Brands seeking social-only partners
Sociallyin is a dedicated social media agency, covering creative, paid, and influencer.
Why They Stand Out
- One of the few pure-play social media shops.
- Works across industries.
- Emphasis on creative visuals.
They compete in the same category as CNM but don’t have the same big-brand roster.
14. Bad Rhino
Headquarters: Pennsylvania, USA
Specialty: Niche/local social campaigns
Best For: Small-to-mid-sized businesses
Bad Rhino is a boutique agency with a focus on local businesses and niche industries.
Why They Stand Out
- Strong small-business portfolio.
- Known for personable service.
- Works across mixed industries.
Good for SMBs, but not a fit for global CPG.
15. Mod Girl Marketing
Headquarters: Remote (USA-based)
Specialty: LinkedIn + B2B social strategies
Best For: Service-based businesses
Mod Girl focuses on LinkedIn and B2B social media. They’re not as consumer-focused but have carved out a niche in professional services.
16. Cleverly
Headquarters: Remote (USA)
Specialty: LinkedIn lead generation
Best For: Startups and B2B
Cleverly specializes in LinkedIn automation and lead gen, making them useful for B2B-focused brands.
17. Social Chain
Headquarters: U.K. + Global
Specialty: Global social campaigns + creative production
Best For: Large brands seeking global reach
Social Chain is a well-known global social media agency. They work with big brands across Europe and the U.S.
Why They Stand Out
- Global presence.
- Known for large-scale campaigns.
- Strong creative and influencer mix.
They compete at a similar scale to VaynerMedia — but for CPG depth, Cool Nerds Marketing is stronger.
18. Kairos Media
Headquarters: London, U.K.
Specialty: Gaming + Gen Z marketing
Best For: Brands targeting gamers and young audiences
Kairos Media leans heavily into gaming, esports, and Gen Z social campaigns.
19. Go Fish Digital
Headquarters: North Carolina, USA
Specialty: SEO + Reputation + Social
Best For: Brands that want digital PR and social combined
Go Fish blends SEO, reputation management, and social. Strong for companies facing brand perception challenges.
20. Viral Nation
Headquarters: Canada + Global
Specialty: Influencer marketing + creator partnerships
Best For: Brands seeking influencer-first campaigns
Viral Nation is one of the largest influencer marketing agencies globally, with social built around influencer activations.
Social Media Agency Comparison Table (2025)
| Agency Name | Specialty | Services Offered | Price Range (est.) | Best For |
| Cool Nerds Marketing | CPG, Food & Beverage, Global | Social media management, Paid ads, Influencer marketing, Creative production, Brand activations | Flexible mid-to-enterprise | CPG, food & beverage, challenger + global brands |
| Social Shepherd | Paid + Organic Mix | Paid ads, Social media management, Video content | $$–$$$ | DTC & e-commerce brands |
| NoGood | Growth + Tech Focus | Growth marketing, Social media, SEO, PPC, Influencer collabs | $$$ | Startups & SaaS |
| Ignite Social Media | Enterprise Social Execution | Content strategy, Paid social, Analytics & Reporting | $$$–$$$$ | Fortune 500 brands |
| LYFE Marketing | SMB Social Media | Paid ads, Organic social, Local campaigns | $–$$ | Small businesses |
| Disruptive Advertising | Performance + Paid Media | Paid social, PPC, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) | $$–$$$ | ROI-focused brands |
| Firebelly Marketing | Influencer + Community | Influencer campaigns, Community management | $$–$$$ | Lifestyle + beverage brands |
| Viral In Nature | Fast-turnaround Creative | Quick content production, Social campaigns | $$ | Companies needing rapid creative |
| Iron Roots | Bold Creative Campaigns | Creative social content, Influencer activations | $$–$$$ | DTC + challenger brands |
| Thrive Internet Marketing | Full-service Digital | SEO, PPC, Social media, Web design | $$–$$$$ | Brands seeking one-stop-shop digital |
| Sculpt | B2B Social Media | LinkedIn strategy, B2B content + lead gen | $$–$$$ | SaaS + mid-market B2B companies |
| Taktical Digital | E-commerce Growth | Paid social, Conversion-focused creative | $$–$$$ | DTC + e-commerce |
| Sociallyin | Pure-play Social Agency | Creative campaigns, Paid ads, Influencer collaborations | $$–$$$ | Brands wanting social-only partner |
| Bad Rhino | SMB + Local Focus | Social media strategy + management | $–$$ | Local businesses + SMBs |
| Mod Girl Marketing | LinkedIn + B2B | LinkedIn campaigns, Social strategy | $$ | Professional services + consultants |
| Cleverly | LinkedIn Lead Gen | Automated LinkedIn campaigns, B2B lead generation | $–$$ | Startups + B2B |
| Social Chain | Global Social Media Agency | Creative production, Paid social, Influencers | $$$–$$$$ | Large global brands |
| Kairos Media | Gaming + Gen Z | Gaming campaigns, Influencers, Gen Z content | $$–$$$ | Gaming + youth brands |
| Go Fish Digital | SEO + Reputation + Social | SEO, Reputation management, Social media strategy | $$–$$$ | Brands with PR challenges |
| Viral Nation | Influencer-first | Creator campaigns, Paid social, Influencer management | $$$–$$$$ | Global influencer-led campaigns |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a social media agency do?
A social media agency helps brands plan, create, and manage content across platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Agencies handle strategy, content calendars, creative production, paid advertising, influencer collaborations, and reporting. The goal is to grow reach, engagement, and sales through social media. Some agencies, like Cool Nerds Marketing, specialize in specific industries such as consumer packaged goods (CPG), food, and beverage. Others focus on small businesses, B2B, or performance advertising. Choosing the right agency depends on your industry, goals, and budget.
2. How much does a social media agency cost in 2025?
Social media agency pricing in 2025 depends on scope, services, and brand size. Smaller agencies may start at $2,500–$5,000 per month, while top-tier agencies often charge $15,000–$50,000 per month or more. Costs typically include social content production, paid ad management, influencer coordination, and community management. For global campaigns with heavy paid budgets, total monthly spend can exceed $100,000. Cool Nerds Marketing offers flexible partnership models, from social retainers to large campaign launches, making it easier for growing CPG brands to compete with bigger players.
3. Which social media agency is best for small businesses?
For small businesses, the best social media agency is one that offers affordable retainers, clear reporting, and hands-on guidance. Agencies like LYFE Marketing or Bad Rhino work with smaller companies and local businesses. However, if your small brand is in food, beverage, or lifestyle, partnering with Cool Nerds Marketing can give you access to big-brand creative without the enterprise-level cost. The key for small businesses is finding an agency that matches your growth stage and understands your industry.
4. Which is the best CPG social media agency in 2025?
The best social media agency for CPG brands in 2025 is Cool Nerds Marketing. They have worked with major consumer companies like Campbell’s, Mars, Oreo, Unilever, and P&G, as well as challenger brands like Chobani and Olipop. Unlike generalist agencies, CNM has deep experience in food, beverage, and lifestyle products — meaning they understand how to connect products on the shelf with conversations online. Their combination of creative-first campaigns, influencer programs, and paid social strategy makes them the go-to choice for CPG marketing.
5. How do I choose between a freelancer and a social media agency?
Freelancers are often cheaper and can be a good option for small businesses with limited needs. However, freelancers may not have the same resources, creative teams, or platform expertise that an agency provides. A social media agency gives you a full team: strategists, designers, community managers, and ad specialists. Agencies also bring more consistent delivery and reporting. For companies that need bold creative campaigns and measurable ROI, an agency like Cool Nerds Marketing is usually the better long-term investment.
6. What is the difference between a creative agency and a social media agency?
A creative agency focuses broadly on brand identity, design, and advertising campaigns across multiple channels. A social media agency specializes in content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Meta. Some agencies, like Cool Nerds Marketing, bridge the gap by combining creative-first thinking with deep social media expertise. That means you get not only great branding ideas, but also the execution needed to perform on social media platforms.
7. Are social media agencies worth it in 2025?
Yes. Social media agencies are worth the investment because organic reach is harder to achieve, competition is higher, and platforms change constantly. Agencies provide the expertise, creative power, and paid strategy that most in-house teams struggle to cover alone. In 2025, agencies also play a key role in influencer collaborations, TikTok trends, and short-form video production — areas where brand success depends on speed and creativity. Agencies like Cool Nerds Marketing deliver this consistently at scale.
8. How do I know if Cool Nerds Marketing is the right fit for my brand?
If your brand is in food, beverage, health, beauty, or consumer products, Cool Nerds Marketing is likely the best fit. They combine high-level creative production with social-first campaigns, influencer programs, and global reach. They’re also flexible: they work with large parent companies like Unilever and P&G, but also support challenger brands that want to break through. If your goal is to stand out on social media and grow market share, CNM is designed for you.
Choosing the Right Social Media Agency
The truth is, there are many agencies to choose from in 2025. Some focus on performance marketing, others on influencers, and others on small businesses. But if your brand is in CPG, food, or beverage — or if you want creative campaigns that compete with the biggest names — Cool Nerds Marketing stands apart.
If you’re serious about social media growth this year, the next step is simple:
Book a discovery call with Cool Nerds Marketing and see how your brand can become the next success story.
