2026 Ranking: Top 12 Performance Branding Agencies in NYC

In New York City (NYC), where competition is relentless, and every brand is fighting for attention, traditional marketing doesn’t quite cut it. To supercharge campaigns with the right mix of performance and brand building, companies turn to performance branding agencies in NYC. 

These hybrid agencies combine brand strategy, performance marketing, and advanced customer data & analytics to drive real business growth. 

Unlike traditional creative agencies that focus purely on visual identity or storytelling, performance branding agencies create ROI-focused narratives. In short, they design brand experiences engineered for measurable growth.

In this list, you’ll find some of the best performance branding agencies in the Big Apple, as well as a detailed guide about working with them. 

Our Vetting Methodology

To identify the top performance branding experts in NYC, we evaluated firms through a dual lens: brand impact and measurable performance. 

We prioritized agencies that showed a clear balance between brand strategy, creative execution, and disciplined performance marketing practices. This includes proven expertise in paid social, pay-per-click, and full-funnel digital media strategies, as well as structured media planning across major digital channels. 

We specifically looked at branding case studies and how they were presented in terms of KPIs and metrics. Did they use performance tracking and data-driven targeting in campaigns to ensure strong conversion rates, efficient ad spend, and scalable customer acquisition? 

Beyond tactical execution, we examined each agency’s ability to deliver sustained business growth through advanced capabilities such as media mix modeling, incrementality testing, AI marketing optimization, and dashboarding for transparent reporting. 

Lastly, we also tried to find agencies that were particularly good with certain niches or markets. 

How to Pick a Performance Branding Agency in NYC?

88% of consumers say authenticity is a deciding factor when choosing a brand to support and love. In a city like New York, where audiences are highly aware and advertising saturation is extreme, authenticity becomes even harder to manufacture through paid media alone. 

This is where performance branding comes in, as it gels conversion-focused paid efforts with authentic brand messaging. 

And not every digital marketing agency can achieve that. So here’s what you should be looking out for: 

• Reporting and analytics capabilities: In New York’s high-CPC, high-competition environment, data sophistication separates average agencies from elite ones. Therefore, look for firms that use advanced analytics to optimize branding efforts and support outcomes with verifiable reports. 
• Attribution capabilities: NYC brands often run across Meta, TikTok, Google, CTV, influencer, and out-of-home simultaneously. Performance branding depends on mapping these complex customer journeys. If an agency cannot clearly explain how they attribute revenue across paid channels, that’s a red flag.
• Channel expertise: A strong NYC agency should have deep experience across channels, though some may be stronger on particular platforms. That should help sift through the options if you’re after a particular channel. For instance, if you operate in eCommerce (e.g., Shopify), B2B, or direct-to-consumer (DTC), ensure the agency understands your specific marketing requirements.
• Communication and strategic fit: Evaluate how they communicate. Do they provide real-time dashboarding? Do they proactively analyze performance campaigns and recommend actions? Are they aligned with your in-house team? The best NYC agencies operate as embedded strategic partners, not external vendors.
• True integration of branding and performance: Many agencies claim to offer both branding and performance marketing, but operate them separately. A strong NYC performance branding partner should connect brand strategy, brand storytelling, and visual identity (logo, naming, art direction, rebrand consulting, enterprise repositioning) directly to measurable performance campaigns.

Top 12 Performance Branding Agencies in NYC

Below, you’ll find key details on some of the top performance branding agencies in New York City, including what sets them apart and why brands choose to work with them.

1. inBeat Agency - Best for Creator-Led Performance Branding 

• Website: inbeat.agency
• Location: 90 Broad St, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10004, United States
• Core Services: Social media ads, search ads, creator content ads, performance creatives, attribution
• Rating: 4.9/5 (Clutch)

inBeat Agency brings paid social and creator marketing expertise to deliver performance branding for ambitious businesses. We curate creator content with structured paid amplification to drive scalable growth. But we also strategically incorporate brand voice in every collaboration and creative to keep the name top of mind in customers, even after they’ve converted. 

Our team sources high-performing micro-influencers and turns their content into conversion-focused ads across TikTok, Meta, and other digital platforms. Our model relies on rapid creative testing, attribution, and measurement. That, in turn, allows us to iterate quickly while maintaining a consistent brand narrative. 

With strong analytics frameworks and performance measurement systems in place, we help brands lower acquisition costs while strengthening positioning. That’s what we’ve done for New York-based brands such as Hurom, Prose, and Mindbloom. 

2. WITHIN - Best for Performance Branding for Commerce 

• Website: within.co 
• Location: 43-01 22nd St, Suite 602, Queens, NY 11101, United States
• Core Services: Integrated media strategy, creative development, commerce strategy, performance marketing, analytics, and attribution

WITHIN operates at the intersection of creative, media, and commerce. The agency integrates performance media buying with strategic brand development. It helps larger companies unify storytelling with measurable growth.

Known for its sophisticated planning and analytics capabilities, WITHIN works across paid search, paid social, and emerging digital channels. Their strength lies in aligning brand positioning with full-funnel optimization, particularly for retail and eCommerce brands. 

They merge creative execution with structured reporting and attribution modeling to help you scale efficiently while maintaining strong brand equity in competitive markets.

3. AdVenture Media Group - Best for Search-Driven Performance Branding

• Website: adventureppc.com 
• Location: 499 7th Ave, New York, NY 10018, United States
• Core Services: Paid search advertising, PPC strategy, landing page optimization, conversion tracking, performance analytics
• Rating: 4.9/5 (Clutch)

AdVenture Media Group has built its reputation on high-performance paid search and conversion-focused campaigns. With deep expertise in Google Ads and data-led testing frameworks, the agency emphasizes efficiency and measurable return. Their team focuses heavily on campaign structure, keyword strategy, and ongoing campaign optimization to drive predictable growth. 

While rooted in search marketing, they also support broader digital initiatives to enhance customer acquisition strategies. If you are looking for disciplined execution, transparent reporting, and strong performance accountability, AdVenture Media can offer scalable results.

4. Jives Media - Best for Multi-Pronged Performance Branding (SEO + Paid Media)

• Website: jivesmedia.com 
• Location: 800 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001, United States
• Core Services: SEO, paid media management, social media advertising, web design, content marketing, conversion optimization
• Rating: 5.0/5 (Clutch)

Jives Media combines search optimization, paid media, and web strategy to deliver consistent digital growth. Their approach centers on building strong organic visibility alongside targeted advertising efforts. 

Similar to inBeat, they focus on key areas such as technical SEO, content strategy, and conversion optimization to increase visibility and conversions. They help B2B brands improve online discoverability and lead generation. 

Their work is particularly effective for professional services, healthcare providers, and regional businesses looking to strengthen market presence. They’ve even been named Forbes top marketing agency.

5. Digital Drew - Best for Small to Mid-Sized Brand Growth

• Website: digitaldrewsem.com 
• Location: 110 E 28th St, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10016, United States
• Core Services: Google Ads, social ads, performance strategy, SEO
• Rating: 4.8/5 (Clutch)

Digital Drew SEM specializes in search and social advertising campaigns built around conversion efficiency. Yes, their focus leans more toward performance marketing. However, the agency works closely with brands to refine targeting, optimize budgets, and test creative variations that ultimately help solidify branding. 

Their nimble structure allows them to adapt quickly to market shifts and campaign performance data. Known for hands-on management and transparent communication, Digital Drew SEM helps you scale through disciplined ad testing and audience segmentation. Their services are well-suited to emerging e-commerce and lifestyle brands.

6. DPDK - Best for Innovative Performance Branding

• Website: dpdk.com 
• Location: 185 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
• Core Services: Brand strategy, digital experience design, web development, creative direction, brand transformation, interactive design, digital product development
• Rating: 5.0/5 (Google)

DPDK brings together brand transformation and digital execution in a cohesive framework. The agency focuses on shaping brand identity while ensuring digital experiences reflect that positioning. Their work includes strategic repositioning, visual systems, and interactive web environments that support measurable engagement. 

If you’re after performance branding that’s creative and bold, these are your people. But they don’t leave performance in lingo. They combine design thinking with performance consideration so you evolve without losing commercial focus. 

They are particularly strong with organizations going through transformation or seeking a refreshed digital presence tied to business outcomes. Plus, they’re global with locations in Rotterdam and Manila, besides NYC.

7. NoGood - Best for Startup Performance Branding

• Website: nogood.io 
• Location: 491 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, United States
• Core Services: Growth marketing, paid media campaigns, lifecycle marketing, SEO, CRO, analytics, and experimentation 
• Rating: 4.6/5 (Google)

Startups, particularly in tech, AI, and finance, can benefit greatly from performance branding. NoGood calls itself a growth engine for startups and venture-backed companies. They integrate paid media, lifecycle marketing, content experimentation, and analytics into a cohesive testing framework. 

Their team frequently works with SaaS and direct-to-consumer brands that require rapid scaling without sacrificing brand clarity. Through iterative experimentation and structured performance analysis, NoGood helps clients refine positioning while accelerating acquisition. 

Their startup-friendly mindset and growth-focused methodology can work great for companies navigating aggressive expansion phases.

8. 9AM - Best for Performance Measurement of Branding Impact

• Website: nine.am 
• Location: New York, NY
• Core Services: Media buying, attribution, analytics, data integration, performance and growth strategy
• Rating: 4.9/5 (G2)

9AM is a performance marketing and measurement agency that operates as part of Fieldtrip. The agency centers its work on measurable digital campaigns built around clear ROI objectives.

The team supports brands through structured media buying, audience analysis, and rigorous performance reporting. Measurement is a core strength, which makes it particularly relevant in performance branding, where brand investments must translate into quantifiable business outcomes rather than surface-level impressions.

With a strong emphasis on accountability and disciplined optimization, 9AM helps companies compete effectively in high-pressure digital markets. The agency has managed over $250 million in media spend. 

9. M&C Saatchi Performance - Best for Global Performance Branding and Acquisition

• Website: mcsaatchiperformance.com 
• Location: 16 W 22nd St, Fl 9, New York, NY 10010, United States
• Core Services: Mobile app marketing, paid media buying, global acquisition campaigns, performance creative, data analytics, attribution modeling

M&C Saatchi Performance specializes in data-led acquisition strategies across international markets. With strong capabilities in mobile marketing, the agency blends creative assets with advanced targeting and measurement systems. 

Their highlight is their global footprint, which can help you scale campaigns across regions while maintaining consistency. The agency can be a viable choice for enterprise brands looking to strengthen their position as global leaders in their niche. They’ve worked with big names like Amazon, Rakuten, and Grab. The agency emphasizes analytics rigor, attribution modeling, and media efficiency. 

On the performance side, their services include media buying, search marketing, retail media, and measurement. 

10. Amsive - Best for Data-Intensive Performance Marketing and Branding

• Website: amsive.com 
• Location: 915 Broadway Ste 501, New York, NY 10010, United States
• Core Services: Performance marketing, search marketing, programmatic advertising, customer analytics, CRM strategy, multi-channel campaign management
• Rating: 4.8/5 (Digital Agency Network)

Amsive combines analytics depth with cross-channel execution. The agency integrates search, social, programmatic, and customer data into coordinated campaigns designed to drive sustainable growth. They’re well-known and respected for their structured measurement frameworks, similar to 9AM. 

Amsive supports brands seeking transparency and measurable scalability. Their approach of detailed reporting and long-term optimization strategies can be good if you have stagnated growth. They can help you find answers and forge a path for the company to grow in both recognition and revenue. 

Their President is Michael Coppola, a seasoned marketer known to turn brands around.

11. Socium Media - Best for Paid-Media Led Performance Branding

• Website: sociummedia.com 
• Location: 251 W 30th St Office 501, Floor 5, New York, NY 10001, United States
• Core Services: Paid search, SEO, media planning, performance analytics, conversion rate optimization, digital strategy
• Rating: 4.9/5 (Clutch)

Socium Media focuses on high-precision media buying supported by strong analytics frameworks. If you have a viable budget and want to use it to grow your business, their marketers and media buyers have the expertise to execute ROI-focused campaigns. 

While they’re better for performance marketing, essentially, with some strategic planning, they can extend those immediate results into long-term brand value. 

Like inBeat, they combine search and social campaigns with performance creative testing to help you refine targeting and improve efficiency. Socium works across industries but is particularly strong with DTC brands, as shown by its current portfolio.

12. Major Tom - Best for Strategic Brand Clarity + Digital Performance

• Website: majortom.com 
• Location: 1325 6th Ave, 28th floor, New York, NY 10019, United States
• Core Services: Brand development, paid media campaigns, web design, creative production, analytics, and performance optimization
• Rating: 4.8/5 (TrustPilot)

Major Tom is a full-service marketing agency that offers brand development with structured digital campaigns. The agency supports organizations through strategy workshops, creative development, and performance-focused execution. 

Their work bridges high-level positioning with tactical channel activation. With a collaborative model and broad digital expertise, Major Tom helps brands navigate digital spaces while maintaining consistent messaging and measurable performance outcomes.

Major Tom also offers website development and design services that can come in handy for major brand overhauls. 

Benefits of Working with a Performance Branding Agency in NYC

The reality is that performance branding isn’t easy. It takes strategic insight, loads of data, and a long-term vision.

In a market like New York City, where customer acquisition costs are higher and competition spans every borough and vertical, that complexity increases significantly.

Working with a specialized performance branding agency in NYC brings tangible advantages. Here’s what you gain:

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Stronger Customer Acquisition with Data-Driven Precision

In NYC’s high-CPC and multi-channel environment, precision matters. 

Performance branding agencies combine storytelling with advanced measurement tools to drive smarter customer acquisition. Through techniques like incrementality testing and multi-touch attribution, they ensure ad spend is allocated where it produces measurable results.

Instead of guessing which campaigns work, these agencies use CPA analysis and continuous performance tracking to fine-tune everything from performance creatives to demographic targeting. This ensures your message resonates well and the audience converts. 

Integrated Brand Strategy and Performance Marketing

In a saturated and trend-sensitive market like New York, strong branding is what sets your business apart from the pack. Performance branding agencies connect brand storytelling, visual identity, logo design, naming, and art direction directly to measurable outcomes. 

This integration ensures:

• Brand perception supports conversion
• Brand activation drives measurable actions
• Creative assets align with performance campaigns
• Digital media strategies reflect long-term brand positioning

Performance branding can be particularly powerful for rebrands or repositioning. It informs audiences what’s changed and why they should embrace it. 

Here’s how Waldemar Pfoerstch, Professor of Marketing Management at the University of Limassol, explains it: 

“Performance branding refers to branding focused on measurable outcomes, such as business impact or profitability. This involves quantifying brand value through metrics like revenue or profit, differentiating a business by emphasizing its effect on customers’ bottom lines.” 

Improved Retention and Lifetime Value

True performance branding goes beyond first-click acquisition. In a city like New York, where consumers have endless alternatives and switching costs are low, retention becomes just as critical as acquisition.

Performance branding agencies focus on optimizing the full customer journey, from the first interaction to long-term retention. Since this kind of marketing spans the entire customer journey, it can align branding and experience with customer expectations. 

According to KPMG, customer loyalty is driven primarily by factors such as product quality, value for money, and consistency. 

Using performance tracking, dashboarding, and analytics, they identify where customers expect and what drives them in (or out, for that matter). And those insights are then strategically incorporated into brand messaging. 

This results in stronger customer experience, better response rates, and improved long-term retention, particularly in eCommerce, direct-to-consumer, SaaS, and retail sectors.

Faster Business Growth in Competitive Markets

Ultimately, performance branding agencies are built to accelerate business growth. They align branding with measurable performance marketing execution, and they help marketers scale customer acquisition without sacrificing brand equity.

In competitive NYC markets, the ability to connect brand strategy with data-driven advertising is what separates growing companies from those that plateau. 

Working with the right agency means your brand doesn’t just show up in searches and feeds–it makes an impact. 

How Much Does a Performance Branding Agency Cost in NYC?

For mid-sized companies, monthly retainers typically range from $10,000 to $50,000+, while enterprise-level engagements can exceed $100,000 per month.

But note that the cost of hiring a performance branding agency in NYC can vary greatly based on scope, experience, and the complexity of your media strategy. 

Most agencies charge in one of three ways: 

• a monthly retainer
• a percentage of ad spend
• project-based pricing for branding and digital initiatives. 

Several factors influence pricing, including the scale of your advertising campaigns, the depth of brand strategy work (such as naming, logo, rebrand consulting, or enterprise repositioning), and the level of analytics sophistication required. 

Keep in mind that performance branding is typically long-running, meaning you’d need to partner with an agency for a longer duration. Also, for big-budget branding projects, make sure to partner with an agency that can handle that kind of money and scale. 

At inBeat, we handle over $20 million in paid media spend for our clients each month. 

How Does Performance Branding Differ from Performance Marketing?

Performance marketing and performance branding are closely related but not the same.

Performance marketing focuses on short-term, measurable actions. The primary goal is immediate return on investment. Agencies running performance marketing campaigns typically optimize for metrics, like clicks, conversions, cost per acquisition, and revenue generated. The emphasis is efficiency: how quickly and cheaply can we acquire a customer?

Performance branding, on the other hand, takes a broader and more strategic approach. It combines measurable growth tactics with long-term brand building. Instead of asking only, “Did this campaign convert?” performance branding asks, “Did this campaign strengthen the brand while driving measurable results?” 

With the latter, the goal is to grow sales today without damaging (and ideally while strengthening) long-term brand equity.

Scale Performance Branding with inBeat Agency

Performance branding works when creativity and accountability operate together. The strongest campaigns do not separate brand from performance. Instead, they connect near-term revenue targets with long-term brand equity in a measurable way.

In highly competitive markets like New York City, that balance becomes even more important. 

At inBeat Agency, we approach performance branding through a creator-led, social-first framework built around structured testing and disciplined measurement. We combine authentic creator content with paid amplification across social and search to build brands that convert today and scale tomorrow.

Our focus is simple: connect storytelling to revenue, and connect brand positioning to performance outcomes.

If you are looking for a partner that integrates creative production, paid media execution, and measurable growth under one strategy, book a free strategy call now.

FAQs

What are the different types of branding?

Branding can take several forms depending on a company’s goals and growth stage.

• Corporate branding focuses on a company's overall identity and reputation.
• Product branding centers on positioning a specific product within a market.
• Personal branding builds visibility and authority for individuals (founders or executives).
• Employer branding shapes how a company is perceived by current and potential employees.
• Rebranding involves repositioning a business through changes to messaging, visuals, or strategy.

Performance branding can apply to all of these types. The difference is that each branding effort is tied to measurable business outcomes rather than being purely aesthetic or awareness-driven.

How long does performance branding take to work?

Performance branding typically shows layered results. Short-term performance metrics (such as improved conversion rates or lower acquisition costs) can begin improving within weeks once campaigns are optimized. However, meaningful brand equity gains, such as increased recognition, trust, and customer loyalty, usually take several months of consistent execution.

What channels does inBeat Agency use for performance branding?

We integrate brand storytelling with measurable campaigns across paid social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Meta, alongside search and creator-led amplification. Our approach connects brand narratives to conversion, retention, and scalable growth while building authority and trust.

What KPIs are relevant to performance branding?

Performance branding tracks both immediate performance metrics and longer-term brand indicators. Short-term KPIs include conversion rate, cost per acquisition (CPA), return on ad spend (ROAS), and revenue growth. Brand-related KPIs may include brand recall and recognition, engagement rates, customer retention and lifetime value, branded search growth, and customer sentiment.