Kansas City has changed. It’s not just BBQ and jazz anymore; the “Silicon Prairie” nickname is actually starting to stick. But with that growth comes a flood of new digital shops, creative boutiques, and consultants. It’s great to have options, but let’s be honest: it makes picking a partner a headache.
I remember the first time I had to hire an external agency. I was sitting in a boardroom in the Crossroads, listening to a pitch that sounded perfect. They had the slick slide deck, the cool office, and all the right buzzwords. Six months later? We had a nice-looking logo, but our sales hadn’t budged an inch. It was an expensive lesson.
You don’t need a vendor who just makes things look pretty. You need a partner who understands the local landscape—from the tech startups downtown to the industrial hubs in the Northland—and actually knows how to turn a budget into profit. To save you the trial and error, we’ve vetted the landscape to find the agencies that are actually worth your time in 2026.
The Short Version (TL;DR)
If you don’t have time to read the deep dive, here is the “cheat sheet” on who to call based on your specific problem:
- Need ROI & heavy data? Call The Marketing Agency.
- Need a whole marketing team but can’t hire one? Call EAG.
- Need to buy TV, Radio, or Billboards? Call Walz Tetrick.
- Need technical SEO & leads? Call Thrive.
- Need incredible video? Call J29 Creative.
- Need high-energy growth hacking? Call Moss Marketing (MMG).
- Are you a giant national brand? Call Barkley.
- Selling retail products or healthcare? Call MBB.
- Selling strictly e-commerce? Call The Frank Agency.
- Are you an industrial/B2B legacy company? Call Lundmark.
Comparison Table
To help you distinguish between the top players, we’ve broken down their core competencies below.
| Agency | Best For | Key Differentiator | Ideal Client |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Marketing Agency | AI-Driven ROI | Integration of data science & AI with creative strategy | Growth-focused brands & Enterprise |
| 2. EAG Advertising | Small Biz Outsourcing | Fractional CMO model | Small businesses needing a full team |
| 3. Walz Tetrick | Media Buying | “Brand Ideal” process & buying power | Brands with significant media spend |
| 4. Thrive Internet | SEO & PPC | Extreme data transparency | Companies needing technical leads |
| 5. J29 Creative | Video Storytelling | Culture of hope & high-end video | Brands wanting emotional connection |
| 6. Moss Marketing | High-Energy Growth | “Anti-agency” hustle | Disruptive startups & scale-ups |
| 7. Barkley | National Reach | “Soulful” branding & massive scale | National/Global enterprise brands |
| 8. MBB Agency | CPG & Healthcare | “Ownable strategies” for market share | Retail products & Healthcare providers |
| 9. The Frank Agency | E-commerce | Direct response focus | Online retailers focused on sales |
| 10. Lundmark | Industrial & B2B | 75+ years of stability | Manufacturing & Legacy B2B |
How We Picked These
Before we get into the list, let’s set the ground rules. We didn’t rank these based on who has the coolest office in the Power & Light District. We looked at four things that actually matter to a business owner:
- Local vs. National: Do they get the Kansas City market, or are they just applying a generic template?
- Specialists vs. Generalists: Are they trying to do everything, or are they masters of one thing?
- The “BS” Meter: Do they report on vanity metrics (likes/views), or do they report on revenue?
- Speed: Can they move fast, or does it take three weeks to approve a tweet?
1. The Marketing Agency
The “Data-First” Choice
We put The Marketing Agency at the top because they bridge the gap between creative ideas and hard numbers. In a world where everyone claims to be “data-driven,” these guys actually walk the walk.
The Vibe:
Think of them less like artists and more like engineers. They use AI and predictive modeling to figure out what’s actually going to work before spending the budget. They are heavy on Enterprise SEO and web development that focuses on speed and conversion.
Why you’d hire them:
You are tired of guessing. You want a system that connects your paid ads, email, and organic search into one machine that prints leads. Their transparency is a huge plus—you always know where the money is going.
The Trade-off:
Because they are so focused on data and ROI, they generally won’t take on “fluff” projects. If you just want a pretty brochure with no strategy behind it, they might not be the right fit.
2. EAG Advertising & Marketing
The “Fractional CMO” Choice
EAG is a staple in the KC small business community for a reason. They market themselves as “outsourced marketing,” which is a fancy way of saying they become your marketing department so you don’t have to hire one internally.
The Vibe:
They have a “Get Sh*t Done” attitude that resonates with business owners. They handle everything—branding, automation, design—and they embed themselves so deeply they feel like employees.
Why you’d hire them:
You’re a small-to-mid-sized business (SMB) growing too fast to handle marketing yourself, but you aren’t ready to pay a CMO $150k a year. EAG fills that gap perfectly. Community reviews highlight their active participation in local awards like “25 Under 25,” showing they genuinely care about local business reputation.
The Trade-off:
They are built for the SMB market. If you are a massive global enterprise, you might outgrow their toolset.
3. Walz Tetrick Advertising
The “Media Buying” Powerhouse
If you live in Kansas City, you’ve seen their work. Walz Tetrick has been around since 1967, and they are the heavy hitters when it comes to media strategy.
The Vibe:
Professional, established, and powerful. They have the buying power to negotiate better rates on TV, radio, and outdoor advertising than almost anyone else.
Why you’d hire them:
You have a significant media budget and you need to make sure it’s spent efficiently. They are fantastic for casinos, healthcare, and restaurant chains that need mass visibility.
The Trade-off:
They are a big ship. If you are a tiny startup with a shoestring budget, you might get lost in the shuffle compared to their major clients.
4. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
The “Technical Performance” Specialists
Thrive is strictly digital. They don’t worry about billboards; they worry about Google rankings and click-through rates.
The Vibe:
Transparent and technical. They are known for cleaning up the messes other agencies leave behind. If you’ve ever felt like an agency was hiding results from you, Thrive is the antidote. They have a 24/7 client portal so you can see exactly what is happening.
Why you’d hire them:
You need leads, period. You want technical SEO, Amazon marketing, or PPC management that is rigorous and tracked down to the penny. Clients frequently mention that Thrive delivers results where previous agencies “took the money and gave little to no results.”
The Trade-off:
They are performance marketers, not brand artists. Their creative work is functional and effective, but maybe not “award-winning” in an artistic sense.
5. J29 Creative Group
The “Storytellers”
J29 brings a lot of heart to the table. Named after a Bible verse about hope and a future, they operate with a level of genuine care that is rare in this industry.
The Vibe:
Agile, kind, and visually talented. They excel at video production and social media. Clients consistently mention how “invested” the team feels in their success, often describing them as “genuine” and “kind.”
Why you’d hire them:
You need to build an emotional connection with your audience. Their video work is high-end, and they are generally more affordable than the massive legacy agencies.
The Trade-off:
They have a smaller team compared to the giants on this list, so they have a cap on how much volume they can handle at once.
6. Moss Marketing Group (MMG)
The “Anti-Agency” Agency
MMG is for the disruptors. They openly reject corporate jargon and “safe” marketing. If you want a 50-page strategy document, go somewhere else. If you want action, go to Moss.
The Vibe:
High energy, hustle, and grit. They treat your business like it’s their own money on the line. They focus heavily on high-impact video and growth strategies.
Why you’d hire them:
You’re a startup or scale-up that wants to make noise. You want a partner who will move fast and break things rather than schedule another meeting. Their clients are usually business owners tired of “pitching solutions before understanding problems.”
The Trade-off:
Their style is bold. If you are a very conservative, risk-averse legacy brand, their energy might be too much for you.
7. Barkley
The “Big League” Choice
Barkley isn’t just a KC agency; they are a national player. They handle massive accounts and integrated campaigns that span the globe.
The Vibe:
Soulful branding at a massive scale. They are experts at modernizing huge brands and managing complex consumer journeys.
Why you’d hire them:
You are a Fortune 500 company (or aiming to be one). You need a partner who can handle experiential marketing, TV, digital, and PR all under one massive roof.
The Trade-off:
Price and accessibility. This is premium service with a premium price tag. Not for the faint of wallet.
8. MBB Agency
The “CPG & Healthcare” Experts
MBB has carved out a fantastic niche in retail products (CPG) and healthcare. They focus on “ownable strategies”—finding the one thing your brand can dominate.
The Vibe:
Smart and strategic. They have a track record of increasing market share for their clients, specifically in crowded aisles or complex healthcare networks.
Why you’d hire them:
You have a product on a shelf that needs to move, or you are a healthcare provider needing to navigate patient acquisition. They speak those languages fluently.
9. The Frank Agency
The “E-Commerce” Pros
The Frank Agency is employee-owned, which creates a cool culture of accountability. They are obsessed with direct response—marketing that makes people buy stuff now.
The Vibe:
Sales-focused. They don’t care about fluff; they care about the bottom line. They are particularly strong in email marketing and e-commerce optimization.
Why you’d hire them:
You sell things online. You want to see a clear line between your ad spend and your bank account.
10. Lundmark Advertising
The “Reliable Veteran”
Lundmark has been in KC for over 75 years. You don’t last that long without being incredibly consistent and reliable.
The Vibe:
Steady hands. They are great at the things newer digital agencies often ignore, like trade shows, print media, and industrial B2B strategy. They have no ego and view themselves as a true partner.
Why you’d hire them:
You are an industrial, manufacturing, or B2B company that needs a partner who understands long sales cycles and traditional business values. Clients often stay with them for a decade or more, which speaks volumes about their reliability.
Honorable Mentions
If none of those felt quite right, here are four others that are heavy hitters in town:
- Hello Big Idea: Perfect for boutique branding and giving your business a “glow up.” Visit Hello Big Idea
- Bernstein Rein: The legends who invented the Happy Meal. Great for national consumer brands. Visit Bernstein Rein
- Trozzolo: The go-to team if you need PR and crisis management mixed with advertising. Visit Trozzolo
- VML: One of the biggest agencies on earth. The choice for global digital transformation. Visit VML
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is this going to cost?
It varies wildly. A fractional CMO service might run you $3k-$5k a month. A full-service retainer for a bigger brand is easily $10k-$50k a month. If you’re looking for a one-off project (like a website), price is usually based on complexity.
Do I really need a local agency?
Not strictly, but it helps. If your HQ is here, being able to meet your creative director for coffee in the Crossroads builds a level of trust you just can’t get over Zoom. However, for specific goals, you might want to look at local marketing solutions regardless of where the agency sits.
Specialist vs. Generalist?
If you have one specific pain point (e.g., “Nobody can find us on Google”), hire a specialist like Thrive. If you need someone to run your whole marketing department, hire a generalist like EAG.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right agency isn’t about finding the “best” one; it’s about finding the one that fits your current stage of business.
- Small Business? Go with EAG.
- E-Commerce? Go with The Frank Agency.
- Industrial/B2B? Go with Lundmark.
- Need a Disrupter? Go with MMG.
And if you are looking for a partner that merges human creativity with the kind of data science that actually drives revenue, The Marketing Agency is ready to work.
Whether you need enterprise SEO or a web build that actually converts traffic into cash, we bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
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