The Prolific North Top 50 Integrated Agencies 2018

We would like to thank Private White V.C. for hosting a launch event for the Top 50 last night at its historic factory on the Salford/Manchester border.

Described by Hypebeast.com as “one of the most respected menswear brands in the world”, CEO James Eden put on a factory tour and refreshments for the invite-only guests before proceedings were wrapped up with the unveiling of the top 10.  

The ranking is predicated on a formula which examines a variety of factors including shareholder funds and/or balance sheets, turnover, pre-tax profits and headcount. As only around a third of the agencies file full accounts (over £6.5m turnover), part of our agreement with companies providing confidential information is that we will not itemise or publicise their individual financials.

Agencies were not offered the option to be included or not.

This does mean that certain agencies may appear – usually – lower in the ranking than many observers might have expected but offering agencies the option to opt out rather than report on a one-off disappointing year would dilute the definitive nature of the list.

In total, we have engaged over 130 agencies and we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the agencies – whether they are included or not – for their time and attention in helping to create this unique financial snapshot of Northern marketing services excellence.

This year’s ranking

For the sixth year in succession – every year we have run the Top 50 Integrated Agencies – McCann Manchester comes out top, with another Manchester operation, Havas Lynx, remaining in second.

Healthcare marketing services specialist Adelphi Group, part of Omnicom Group, is included for the first time and goes straight in at number three.

Yorkshire agencies make the remainder of the top six, with Leeds-based Intermarketing coming in at fourth and Sheffield’s Jaywing and Leeds’s Home slipping a place each to fifth and sixth respectively.

A special mention should go to Cheadle’s Fresh, who surge 12 places to number seven, with Newcastle’s Drummond Central rising five places to enter the top 10 for the first time.

The Prolific North Top 50 Integrated Agencies 2018

in association with Mustard Research