Top 15 branding agencies in the US
15 branding agencies in the US that are operating today, each checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Who leads them, the work they can show, what they cost where they publish it, and the reason each one made the list. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- firms, ranked
- 15
- sources cited
- 63
- median years in business
- 33
- with a named leader
- 12/15
The list at a glance
Scroll sideways →| # | Firm | Based in | Since | Team | Led by | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | LandorProfile | San Francisco, CA | 1941 | 500+ | Jane Geraghty | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 02 | LippincottProfile | New York, NY | 1943 | n/a | n/a | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 03 | Chermayeff & Geismar & HavivProfile | New York, NY | 1957 | n/a | Sagi Haviv | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 04 | Wolff OlinsProfile | New York, NY | 1965 | n/a | Sairah Ashman | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 05 | Siegel+GaleProfile | New York, NY | 1969 | n/a | Howard Belk | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 06 | PentagramProfile | New York, NY | 1972 | n/a | n/a | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 07 | InterbrandProfile | New York, NY | 1974 | n/a | Gonzalo Brujó | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 08 | Base DesignProfile | New York, NY | 1993 | 51–200 | Min Lew | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 09 | CharacterProfile | San Francisco, CA | 1999 | n/a | n/a | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 10 | MuchoProfile | San Francisco, CA | 2003 | 11–50 | Marc Català and Pablo Juncadella | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 11 | GretelProfile | Brooklyn, NY | 2005 | 11–50 | Ryan Moore | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 12 | MottoProfile | New York, NY | 2005 | 11–50 | Sunny Bonnell | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 13 | Red AntlerProfile | Brooklyn, NY | 2007 | 51–200 | Emily Heyward | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 14 | COLLINSProfile | New York, NY | 2008 | 51–200 | Leland Maschmeyer | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
| 15 | KotoProfile | Los Angeles, CA | 2015 | 51–200 | James Greenfield | Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote. |
Where a firm has not published a price, the figure is a typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- 01
Led by Jane Geraghty, Global CEO
- San Francisco, CA
- Since 1941
- 500+ people
Landor is a brand consulting and design firm founded in San Francisco in 1941 by Walter and Josephine Landor and now part of WPP, with its site reporting 1,300 staff across 30 locations. Its practice is organised as consulting, design and experience, spanning brand strategy, visual, verbal, sonic and motion identity and customer and employee experience, with recent work shown for Nike Kids, LeShuttle and Bancomat. Wikipedia records its acquisition by Young & Rubicam in 1989 and 32 offices worldwide.
Why it’s hereThe oldest continuously operating brand consultancy in the United States, with 85 years of identity work and the largest footprint of any firm on this list.
Best forLarge companies and public institutions planning a corporate rebrand, naming or brand architecture overhaul that needs a global team of about 1,300 people across 30 locations.
UpdatePart of WPP; Jane Geraghty returned as global CEO in March 2026 and also leads WPP Brand and Design.
landor.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy consulting · visual and verbal identity · sonic and motion design · customer and employee experience
- Named clients
- Nike Kids, LeShuttle, Bancomat, Lobos 1707, Milan Symphony Orchestra
- Selected work
- Nike. Brand work for Nike Kids. case study ↗
- LeShuttle. Brand work for the Channel Tunnel vehicle shuttle. case study ↗
- Milan Symphony Orchestra. Brand identity work for the orchestra. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources landor.com, en.wikipedia.org, campaignlive.co.ukLinkedIn ↗
- 02
- New York, NY
- Since 1943
Lippincott is a global brand consultancy founded in New York in 1943 by J. Gordon Lippincott and Donald Dohner, credited on its own site with coining the term corporate identity. It is part of the Oliver Wyman Group within Marsh McLennan and lists offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Seoul, with clients including Coca-Cola, Samsung, Starbucks, Delta, Campbell's and General Mills. Wikipedia records past identity work for Walmart, Southwest Airlines and Pepsi.
Why it’s hereMore than 80 years of corporate identity work, including the Walmart, Delta and Starbucks identities, from the firm that named the discipline.
Best forLarge corporations such as Nokia, Delta, Starbucks and Samsung that need naming, identity systems and brand strategy from a consultancy founded in 1943 and owned by Oliver Wyman, part of Marsh McLennan.
lippincott.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · corporate identity · naming · customer experience design · brand transformation
- Named clients
- Coca-Cola, Samsung, Starbucks, Delta, Campbell's, General Mills, Danaher, DuPont, Nokia
- Selected work
- Nokia. Rebranded Nokia as a B2B technology company with a simplified logo, new positioning and brand platform, launched at Mobile World Congress in February 2023. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources lippincott.com, en.wikipedia.org
- 03
Led by Sagi Haviv, Partner
- New York, NY
- Since 1957
Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv is an independent brand design studio at 27 West 24th Street in New York, founded in 1957 by Ivan Chermayeff, Tom Geismar and Robert Brownjohn and now led by founding partner Tom Geismar and partner Sagi Haviv. It specialises in brand identities, exhibitions, print and motion graphics and art in architecture. Wikipedia records its trademarks for Pan Am, Mobil, PBS, Chase, NBC, National Geographic, the Smithsonian and, more recently, Warner Bros. Discovery and the US Open.
Why it’s hereThe studio behind the Chase, NBC, PBS and National Geographic marks, still independent and partner-led after nearly 70 years.
Best forLarge institutions, media companies and national brands that need a lasting logo or identity system from the New York firm, founded in 1957, behind trademarks for Chase, NBC and National Geographic.
cghnyc.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand identity · logo design · exhibitions · motion graphics · art in architecture
- Selected work
- America250. Designed the logo and identity for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a red, white and blue ribbon forming the number 250. case study ↗
- Chase. Designed the blue octagon symbol that has identified the bank since 1961. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 27 West 24th Street, Suite 900 · New York, NY · 10010 · 212.532.4595
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources cghnyc.com, en.wikipedia.org
- 04
Led by Sairah Ashman, CEO
- New York, NY
- Since 1965
Wolff Olins is a brand consultancy founded in London in 1965 by Michael Wolff and Wally Olins and owned by Omnicom since 2001, with offices in New York, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco and a North America president based in New York. Its site organises its work into brand, culture and experience and shows recent projects for The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Patreon, Lloyds, LG Electronics and Bergdorf Goodman. Wikipedia records earlier identities for Orange, the BBC and the London 2012 Olympics.
Why it’s hereSixty years of high-profile identity work, including the Met and the London 2012 marks, with a New York office that anchors its U.S. practice.
Best forLarge consumer and technology companies, such as Uber, TikTok and Decathlon, going through a repositioning or full rebrand that needs strategy, identity and brand systems.
UpdateGlobal brand consultancy with offices in New York, London, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
wolffolins.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy and identity · brand architecture · culture and employee value proposition · customer experience
- Named clients
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Patreon, Lloyds, LG Electronics, Decathlon, Bergdorf Goodman, New York Botanical Garden, Blank Street
- Selected work
- Uber. Rebrand repositioning Uber from an app to a mobility company. case study ↗
- Decathlon. Global brand overhaul for the sporting goods retailer. case study ↗
- Patreon. Brand work repositioning Patreon from a membership model to a creator company. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 622 3rd Avenue, Fl. 26 · New York, NY · 10017
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources wolffolins.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 05
Led by Howard Belk, Chief Executive Officer
- New York, NY
- Since 1969
Siegel+Gale is a global branding agency headquartered at 622 Third Avenue in New York, founded in 1969 by Alan Siegel and Robert Gale and part of Omnicom since 2003, with additional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, London, Dubai, Shanghai and Tokyo. It positions its practice around simplicity across brand strategy, research, experience, naming and purpose, and its site shows case studies for Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Micron, Blue Cross NC, Solventum and the U.S. Army. Wikipedia records early work including the Master Charge to MasterCard transition and the NBA logo.
Why it’s hereMore than 55 years of strategy-led branding and the publisher of the annual World's Simplest Brands study, with past work including the NBA and MasterCard identities.
Best forLarge companies in healthcare, financial services, technology, manufacturing and professional services going through a merger, spin-off, rebrand or naming project, with support from an Omnicom-owned consultancy that has offices in seven cities.
siegelgale.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · simplification · naming · research · brand experience
- Named clients
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Micron, Blue Cross NC, Solventum, U.S. Army
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 622 Third Avenue, 26th Floor · New York, NY · 10017 · +1 212 453 0400
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources siegelgale.com, en.wikipedia.org, omc.comLinkedIn ↗
- 06
- New York, NY
- Since 1972
Pentagram is an independently owned design studio founded in London in 1972 by Alan Fletcher, Theo Crosby, Colin Forbes, Kenneth Grange and Mervyn Kurlansky, with offices in New York, London, Austin and Berlin. Its site lists 23 partners plus a partner at large, all practising designers who own the business equally, with work spanning identity, strategy, packaging, exhibitions, digital, typefaces and motion. Wikipedia records identities for Citibank, United Airlines and Saks Fifth Avenue among its projects.
Why it’s hereThe only major design studio owned entirely by its practising partners, with a New York office that has produced identities for Citibank, Saks and the Public Theater.
Best forInstitutions, cultural organizations and large companies that want identity, environmental graphics or product design led directly by a partner at a partner-owned studio with offices in New York, London, Austin and Berlin.
pentagram.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- graphics and identity · strategy and positioning · packaging · exhibitions and environments · digital and motion
- Selected work
- 520 Fifth Avenue. Identity for the 520 Fifth Avenue building, drawn from its architecture. case study ↗
- London Design Festival. Visual identity and signage for the 2026 festival. case study ↗
- SMCC (Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company). Brand identity for the card company. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 250 Park Avenue South · New York, NY · 10003 · +1 212 683 7000
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources pentagram.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 07
Led by Gonzalo Brujó, Global Chief Executive Officer (promoted July 2022)
- New York, NY
- Since 1974
Interbrand is a global brand consultancy founded in 1974 by John Murphy as Novamark, renamed Interbrand in 1979 and part of Omnicom since 1993, with its headquarters at 195 Broadway in New York. Its site describes 14 hubs operating in 75 countries and organises its work into brand strategy, experience design and brand valuation, with featured work for LEGO, Bugatti, MINI, Juventus and British Airways. It publishes the annual Best Global Brands ranking.
Why it’s hereThe originator of brand valuation as a consulting discipline and publisher of Best Global Brands for more than 25 years.
Best forLarge global companies that need brand strategy, naming, identity design or brand valuation work; Interbrand also publishes the annual Best Global Brands ranking.
UpdateOmnicom-owned brand consultancy founded in 1974, operating in 75 countries.
interbrand.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · brand valuation · experience design · naming
- Named clients
- LEGO, Bugatti, MINI, Juventus, British Airways
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 622 3rd Ave, 3rd floor · New York, NY · 10017 · +1 212 798 7500
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources interbrand.com, en.wikipedia.org, adweek.comLinkedIn ↗
- 08
Led by Min Lew, Managing Partner and Executive Creative Director, New York
- New York, NY
- Since 1993
- 51–200 people
Base Design is an international branding studio founded in Brussels in 1993 that runs studios in New York, Brussels, Geneva, Melbourne and Saigon plus a digital unit, with New York partners including Min Lew and Geoff Cook. It describes brands as living systems and lists clients including MoMA, The New York Times, Adidas, Calvin Klein, the International Olympic Committee and The Prince Estate. Clutch lists the New York office at 13 S William Street with 50-249 staff.
Why it’s hereA partner-led studio whose New York office has built identities for MoMA, The New York Times and the Prince Estate.
Best forCultural institutions, media companies and consumer brands that need a full brand identity system; past clients include The New York Times, MoMA and the International Olympic Committee.
basedesign.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand identity · cultural and arts branding · art direction · digital design · film
- Named clients
- MoMA, The New York Times, Adidas, Calvin Klein, International Olympic Committee, The Prince Estate, Wrangler, NeueHouse
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 13 S William St. · New York, NY · 10004 · +1 212 625 9293
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources basedesign.com, clutch.co, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 09
- San Francisco, CA
- Since 1999
- Changed hands
Character is a San Francisco branding agency founded in 1999 by Ben Pham, Tish Evangelista and Rishi Shourie, offering brand strategy, brand identity and brand experience across digital, retail, packaging and environmental channels. Its site lists clients including Apple, Nike, Levi Strauss, Kohler, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn Kids and National Geographic. Clutch records the 1999 founding at 447 Battery Street.
Why it’s hereA founder-led San Francisco studio with 25-plus years of identity and packaging work for Apple, Nike and Levi Strauss.
Best forConsumer and tech brands seeking brand identity and design work from a San Francisco studio whose past clients include Nike, Kohler, Levi Strauss and the San Francisco Symphony.
OwnershipAcquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in 2018; the site's about page still describes it as independent and could not be confirmed as current.
- Known for
- brand strategy · brand identity · packaging · retail and environmental design · digital
- Named clients
- Apple, Nike, Levi Strauss, Kohler, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn Kids, National Geographic, Shutterfly
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources charactersf.com, clutch.co
- 10
Led by Marc Català and Pablo Juncadella, Co-founders, Partners and Creative Directors (San Francisco office led by partners Rob Duncan and Francesca Duncan)
- San Francisco, CA
- Since 2003
- 11–50 people
Mucho is a design and branding agency founded in Barcelona in 2003 by Marc Català and Pablo Juncadella, with a San Francisco studio led by partner Rob Duncan and a further studio in Sydney. Its about page lists 35-plus designers and strategists from 16 nationalities and clients including Apple, Google, PayPal, Visa, Gap, Levi Strauss and FC Barcelona, with recognition from D&AD, the Art Directors Club, the Type Directors Club and AIGA. DesignRush lists the firm with Barcelona headquarters, a San Francisco office and fewer than 49 staff.
Why it’s hereA partner-run studio whose San Francisco office serves Bay Area technology clients including Apple, Google and PayPal, with D&AD Yellow Pencils on its record.
Best forBrands that want identity and design work from a studio of 35+ designers split between Barcelona and San Francisco, with a client record that includes Apple, Google, Gap and Aeroméxico.
wearemucho.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand identity · visual communication · creative strategy · editorial design
- Named clients
- Apple, Google, PayPal, Visa, Gap, Levi Strauss, Coca-Cola, FC Barcelona
- Selected work
- Aeroméxico. Created a digital-first visual identity, graphic system, illustration style and brand guidelines for the airline. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 466 Geary Street, Suite 301 · San Francisco, CA · 94102 · +1 415 546 1399
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources wearemucho.com, designrush.com
- 11
Led by Ryan Moore, Executive Creative Director
- Brooklyn, NY
- Since 2005
- 11–50 people
Gretel is an independent branding, strategy and design studio at 197 Clifton Place in Brooklyn, founded in 2005 by Greg Hahn and Ryan Moore. Its company page lists six disciplines from discovery and research through visual identity, writing and experience design, and its site shows work for the Philadelphia Museum of Art, LOVB and Hart Bageri. Communication Arts recorded 29 staff and past work for Nike, Netflix, MoMA and VICELAND.
Why it’s hereAn independent Brooklyn studio profiled by Communication Arts for identity work spanning Netflix, Nike and MoMA over two decades.
Best forCultural institutions, media companies and consumer brands, with past clients such as NYT Cooking, RISD and Noom, that want a full visual identity and brand system from a Brooklyn design studio.
gretelny.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · visual identity · brand architecture · motion and art direction · language systems
- Named clients
- Philadelphia Museum of Art, LOVB, Hija de Sanchez, Hart Bageri, Finer Sounds
- Selected work
- Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rebuilt the museum's identity around a revived griffin logo, with a custom Fairmount Serif typeface, design system, digital overhaul and wayfinding. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 197 Clifton Place · Brooklyn, NY · 11216 · 212.226.6211
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources gretelny.com, commarts.comLinkedIn ↗
- 12
Led by Sunny Bonnell, Co-founder & CEO
- New York, NY
- Since 2005
- 11–50 people
Motto is a strategic branding agency founded in 2005 by Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger, headquartered in New York with offices in Dallas and London. Its about page describes work with founders and leadership teams during pivots, positions itself as female-owned and lists roughly 20 staff. DesignRush records fewer than 49 employees and clients including Virgin, Google, Microsoft, Hershey's, the NFL and USA Today.
Why it’s hereA woman-founded New York agency whose brand-strategy practice has served Google, Microsoft and the NFL, per DesignRush.
Best forTech startups and founders creating new categories that need brand strategy, verbal identity and design, plus culture work with leadership teams.
UpdateWomen-owned branding agency co-founded by Sunny Bonnell and Ashleigh Hansberger, with offices listed in New York, Dallas, London and Berlin.
wearemotto.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy and positioning · brand identity · verbal identity · leadership and culture alignment · web design
- Named clients
- Virgin, Google, Microsoft, Hershey's, NFL, USA Today, Brooklyn Brewery
- Selected work
- Betr. Brand work for the Betr super app. case study ↗
- Ivo. Brand work for the contract intelligence company. case study ↗
- Maisa. Brand work for the digital workers company. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources wearemotto.com, designrush.comLinkedIn ↗
- 13
Led by Emily Heyward, Co-Founder & CEO, Red Antler
- Brooklyn, NY
- Since 2007
- 51–200 people
Red Antler is a branding and advertising agency at 20 Jay Street in Brooklyn founded in 2007 by Emily Heyward and JB Osborne and privately held within Red Antler Group. Its services run from foundation and strategy through visual, verbal and sonic identity, packaging, UX, campaigns and performance marketing, and its site shows work for Hinge, AllTrails, Chime, Ramp, Archer, Cotopaxi and McKinsey. Its about page cites Fast Company Most Innovative and Inc. Top 10 Entrepreneurs of the Decade recognition. Clutch records 50-249 staff.
Why it’s hereThe agency most associated with launching venture-backed consumer brands, with Hinge, Chime and AllTrails among its named identity clients.
Best forFounders launching a consumer brand, and established companies planning a rebrand or campaign, that want naming, identity, product design and advertising from one New York team.
redantler.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- start-up and launch branding · visual, verbal and sonic identity · packaging · advertising campaigns · B2B branding
- Named clients
- Hinge, AllTrails, Chime, Ramp, Archer, Cotopaxi, Knix, Supergoop!, McKinsey
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources redantler.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 14
Led by Leland Maschmeyer, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
- New York, NY
- Since 2008
- 51–200 people
COLLINS is a brand strategy and design firm founded in 2008 by Brian Collins and Leland Maschmeyer, with studios in Brooklyn and San Francisco and a distributed team that Communication Arts put at about 60 people. Its site organises its services into eleven programs including brand refresh, repositioning, premiumization, portfolio architecture and brand creation, and shows work for Bose, Robinhood, Target's up&up, the San Francisco Symphony and YouTube Gaming.
Why it’s hereNamed Agency of the Year by Ad Age eight times between 2019 and 2026 and by D&AD in 2021, per its own site.
Best forConsumer, fintech and cultural brands planning a full rebrand that want strategy and identity from a senior team whose clients include Robinhood, Bose and Target.
wearecollins.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand strategy · brand identity · repositioning and premiumization · brand architecture · brand creation
- Named clients
- Bose, Robinhood, Target, San Francisco Symphony, YouTube Gaming, Arcane, Primary, Muse Group
- Selected work
- Robinhood. Rebuilt the brand; the case study reports funded accounts up 143% and monthly active users up 172% within two years. case study ↗
- Bose. Brand case study for the audio company. case study ↗
- Target (up&up). Brand work for Target's up&up private label. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources wearecollins.com, commarts.com, en.wikipedia.orgLinkedIn ↗
- 15
Led by James Greenfield, Chief Executive Officer
- Los Angeles, CA
- Since 2015
- 51–200 people
Koto is a creative agency founded in London in 2015 by James Greenfield, Jowey Roden and Caroline Matthews, with U.S. studios in Culver City, Los Angeles and at 368 Broome Street in New York alongside London, Berlin and Sydney. Its about page lists 154 staff and describes its practice as branding, design and strategy built on co-creation and craft. Design Week records clients including Google, Netflix, Amazon, Uber, Spotify, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Discord and WhatsApp.
Why it’s hereIn a decade it has become one of the most-used identity studios for large technology platforms, with two U.S. studios and 150-plus staff.
Best forWell-funded tech and consumer companies, from startups to Instagram, Amazon and Microsoft, that want a full brand identity or rebrand with strategy, visual system and digital design.
UpdateLondon-headquartered brand studio with a Los Angeles studio in Culver City plus New York, Berlin and Sydney; acquired Stereo Creative in September 2024.
koto.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- brand identity · brand strategy · technology and consumer brands · motion and digital
- Named clients
- Google, Netflix, Amazon, Uber, Spotify, Coca-Cola, Fanta, Discord, WhatsApp
- Selected work
- Instagram. Redesigned the Instagram wordmark and brand system. case study ↗
- Lyft. Brand work including the Your Lyft is arriving campaign. case study ↗
- Microsoft. Brand work for Microsoft's 50th anniversary. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $25,000–$80,000, typical for US branding projects; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 3962 Ince Blvd · Culver City, CA · 90232
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources koto.com, designweek.co.uk
478,200 advertising, public relations and related services jobs in the United States, September 2026 (preliminary).
Every firm here was checked twice.
- 01Find
Firms come from industry directories, business press, award lists and the client rosters of firms already known to do the work.
- 02Verify
A firm's own site has to be live and describe the work. A second, independent source has to agree that it exists and does it.
- 03Record
Leaders, addresses, founding years, awards and case studies are copied from a page we loaded, and each carries its link. A field stays blank until a source states it.
- 04Rank
The order is editorial: longevity, named clients, scale and a clear specialism, in roughly that weight. Firms cannot buy a position.
- 05Re-check
Every entry was re-checked on September 28, 2026, homepage captured, ownership confirmed. Firms that closed, stopped doing this work or changed hands are removed or noted in the change log below.
The featured card is paid placement for Fracs, which shares this list’s publisher. It sits outside the ranking. Read the full editorial standards, or write to lists@primortul.com with a correction or a firm we missed.
What changed at the September 2026 check
- Ownership · Character
Acquired by Dentsu Aegis Network in 2018; the site's about page still describes it as independent and could not be confirmed as current.
Questions before you hire a branding agency in the US
- How many branding agencies in the US are on this list, and where are they?
- 15. The 15 firms are spread across San Francisco, New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles. Each was checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- How do I choose between branding agencies in the US?
- Write down what done looks like. Read why each firm is on the list and keep the two or three whose reason matches your job. Ask each for one piece of work like yours, and the name of the person who would do it. 3 of the 15 here are under 50 people, so the people you meet are usually the people who do the work.
- Did any of these firms pay to be listed?
- No. Nobody pays to be ranked. The order weighs how long a firm has done the work, clients it can name, its size, and how clear its specialism is. This list has no paid card.
- How long have these branding agencies been around?
- The oldest firm on this list states 1941 as its founding year. A year is shown only when the firm states one.
- What should I bring to a first call with a branding agency?
- What you sell, what is not working, what done looks like, a budget range, and when you want to start. The form on this page asks for those. Asking is free. You do not have to hire anyone.
- How is this list kept current?
- Re-checked September 28, 2026. Dead sites come off. Mergers and renames are updated. Firms that belong are added. Send a correction to lists@primortul.com. If you are the firm, use the For partners form.
What the trade press is writing about branding agencies.
Headlines, the source, the date, and a link. The article stays on the site that published it. If a feed is down, it is left off.
On branding agencies
Google News. Headline and link only.
How to choose, what it costs, and where these firms are based.
Describe the job. One branding agency writes back.
Tell us what you sell, what is not working, and what done looks like. We read it and ask one provider — from this list, or from the publisher’s bench — to contact you within a business day. Asking is free. You do not have to hire them. Nobody else gets what you wrote.