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The 5 Best Creative Agencies in Manchester to Elevate Your Brand

  • Creativity and Innovation: We selected agencies known for their groundbreaking and original ideas.
  • Professionalism: Agencies with a high level of professionalism and a strong portfolio were prioritised.
  • Client Communication: Responsive and clear communication with clients was a key factor.
  • Portfolio and Case Studies: Agencies with diverse and successful past projects stood out.
  • Range of Services: Agencies offering a comprehensive range of services, from digital marketing to traditional media, were given extra points.

In the dynamic world of branding, standing out requires more than just a good product or service. It demands creativity, innovation, and a unique touch that can only come from a top-tier creative agency. 

Manchester, known for its vibrant cultural scene and entrepreneurial spirit, is home to some of the best creative agencies that can help elevate your brand. Here are the top agencies that have earned our trust!

1. Pixel Kicks

pixel-kicks

Services: Web Design, Digital Marketing, SEO, PPC, Social Media, Email Marketing, Photography & Video
Address: 1st Floor, Swan Bldg, 20 Swan St
Phone: +441617131700
Business hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Creativity and innovation5/5
Professionalism5/5
Client Communication5/5
Portfolio and case studies4/5
Range of services5/5

Pixel Kicks is one of those places where you walk in and immediately sense the buzz of creativity.  When we visited, we saw their knack for blending sleek web design with tailored digital marketing campaigns.

They’re  also great at making tricky stuff look easy. We had the chance to speak with a few team members, who passionately explained how they integrate SEO, PPC, and social media strategies to boost their clients’ visibility.

Another standout point is their dedication to ongoing support. We saw this commitment first-hand, with clients mentioning how Pixel Kicks regularly checks in to tweak and optimise their strategies, keeping their brands fresh and competitive.

While they excel in the digital realm, they might not be the go-to for traditional media strategies. If your brand relies on print ads or TV spots, you might need to look elsewhere. But for anything digital, Pixel Kicks is a powerhouse.

Pros

  • Innovative digital strategies
  • Strong focus on client communication
  • Highly skilled team

Cons

  • Limited focus on traditional media

The best

“We highly recommend working with Pixel Kicks. Their web development team are the best we have ever worked with.”

Victoria Cozens, Google Review

Great experience

“Great experience of working with the Pixel Kicks team, who have been looking after our website for over 2 years now. Very professional, responsive and helpful.”

Anastasia Tole, Google Review

2. Higher Ground Marketing

higher-ground-marketing

Services: SEO Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Social Media Management, Web Development, Graphic Design, Content Creation, Photography & Film
Address: The Express Building, Huckletree, 9 Great Ancoats St
Phone: +441617061620
Business hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Creativity and innovation5/5
Professionalism4/5
Client Communication5/5
Portfolio and case studies5/5
Range of services4/5

When we checked out Higher Ground Marketing, it felt like stepping into a branding think tank. 

We had the opportunity to see their impressive portfolio, which includes successful projects like a rebranding campaign for a local tech company and a social media strategy for a national retail chain. 

Their range of services is nothing short of impressive, spanning SEO analysis, social media management, and beyond. Watching their process was a revelation; they break down complex marketing challenges into straightforward, tailored strategies that make sense.

During our visit,  it was great to see the team actively collaborating with clients, working side-by-side to implement every aspect of the plan. 

However, their high demand can make securing their services on short notice tricky. This popularity is a double-edged sword; it speaks to their quality and effectiveness, but it also means you’ll need to plan ahead. 

Think of it as a waiting list for success—well worth the patience.

Pros

  • Strategic brand development
  • Strong focus on marketing effectiveness
  • Experienced team
  • Hands-on approach

Cons

  • Limited availability due to high demand

Increased relevant traffic
Working with Rob has helped us to obtain a much deeper understanding of how to move forward with our website by improving user experience. Hi insight and knowledge about search engine optimisation has helped us to increase the amount of relevant traffic that we receive.”

Lentils and Lather, Google Review

More leads
“Rob is passionate about website design and stays current with the latest trends. The results for clients are more leads and sales from their website.”

Michael Plummer, Google Review

3. One Day Agency

one-day-agency

Services: SEO Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Social Media Management, Web Development, Graphic Design, Content Creation, Photography & Film
Address: 5th Floor, One Day Agency, Phoenix House, 45 Cross St

Phone: +441615527743

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Creativity and innovation5/5
Professionalism5/5
Client Communication5/5
Portfolio and case studies4/5
Range of services5/5

Unlike many places with strict departmental divides, One Day Agency works as a cohesive unit. We spent some time observing their workflow and it’s clear they bridge the gaps between creative, media, and digital effortlessly; this unified approach really caught our attention.

They start with a detailed audit and audience research, diving into data using tools like Google Analytics. Watching them, it was clear how they turn complex info into simple, actionable strategies, making your projects easier to tackle 

One of the more intriguing aspects of One Day Agency is their focus on buyer behaviour rather than just demographics. 

They’ll use these insights to craft strategies based on how different groups interact with media and brands, making their campaigns more targeted and effective for your business.

Their thorough, research-driven approach can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re pressed for time. Quick fixes aren’t their style; they meticulously cover every angle to achieve long-term success. 

While this is fantastic for comprehensive strategies, it might test your patience if you’re after immediate results.

Pros

  • Integrated team approach
  • Focus on behaviour-first strategies
  • Experienced all-senior team
  • Thorough data analysis and research

Cons

  • Intensive research approach may be time-consuming

Seamless communication

“Communication with the team was seamless throughout the entire process. They were responsive, attentive, and always willing to address any questions or concerns I had, I would highly recommend the team at One Day Agency.”

Ryan Browne, Google Review

Personable owner

“Really good services and a personable owner who can cater to my business needs!”

Brannon Lee Chong, Google Review

4. Serotonin

serotonin

Services: eCommerce Strategy, Brand & Creative Strategy, Market Research, Media Planning, Data Analysis, Holistic Marketing
Address:
25 Dale St, Manchester M1 1EY

Phone: +441618853740

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Creativity and innovation4/5
Professionalism5/5
Client Communication5/5
Portfolio and case studies5/5
Range of services5/5

When we explored Serotonin’s approach to eCommerce strategy, it was clear that meticulous attention to detail is their hallmark. They start with a thorough audit of your brand’s performance metrics, diving into data to uncover growth opportunities across various timeframes.

In their Discovery sessions, they don’t just skim the surface. We watched as they thoroughly analysed past campaigns and set ambitious yet achievable goals for the year ahead.

The way they gather and use these insights to craft integrated media plans, complete with detailed forecasts of spend, revenue, and ROAS from multiple channels, shows their commitment to precision and effectiveness.

What really stood out to us was their flexibility and collaboration with clients. Unlike some agencies that hand over a plan and call it a day, Serotonin remains actively engaged. 

For instance, we noticed how they consistently tweak and fine-tune strategies based on client feedback so everything is perfectly aligned with the brand’s goals.

Their detailed process does mean they take their time. If you need quick results, their thorough approach might feel slow. 

But seeing their dedication and the quality of their work, the wait seems justified.

Pros

  • Comprehensive eCommerce and creative strategy
  • Thorough market research and analysis
  • Collaborative and flexible approach
  • Focus on meaningful brand identity

Cons

  • Time-consuming process due to in-depth research

Absolutely fantastic

Fantastic business worked with Serotonin B2B and with individual team. Absolutely fantastic bunch who know their stuff.”

Richard Gahagan, Google Review

Exceptional
“A brilliant agency to partner with – Serotonin are exceptional at delivering strategies that are forward-thinking, innovative and most importantly, drive profitability and growth.”

kate brown, Google Review

5. Buckley Creative

buckley-creative

Services: Brand Strategy, Logo Design, Graphic Design, Animation, Illustration, Digital Marketing
Address: The Sorting House, 83 Newton St

Phone: +447919377964 

Business hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5
Creativity and innovation5/5
Professionalism5/5
Client Communication5/5
Portfolio and case studies4/5
Range of services5/5

Buckley Creative’s expertise in establishing a powerful brand is apparent from the moment you see their work. We were particularly impressed with their attention to detail in logo design, colour palettes, and brand packs. 

One standout example was their approach to graphic design. A client highlighted how Buckley Creative revitalised their brand image, making it cohesive and impactful across all platforms. 

Their animation services are equally remarkable. We watched them guide a client through scriptwriting and concept development, culminating in an engaging promotional video. 

The process was thorough and collaborative, making the final product polished and practical. One client mentioned that the animated explainer video significantly boosted their online engagement, a testament to Buckley Creative’s skill in this area.

Although their creativity and attention to detail are impressive, some clients have mentioned that communication can occasionally be slow, especially during peak times. This can lead to minor delays, but the end result is usually worth the wait given the quality of their work.

Pros

  • Immersive and detailed design process
  • Versatile in both digital and offline content
  • Strong focus on brand consistency
  • High-quality animation and illustration work

Cons

  • Communication can sometimes be slow during peak times

Efficient

I commissioned an educational video from Sam for the Sussex Wildlife Trust website. We are so happy with the final result! Sam is a brilliant animator and gets things done very efficiently.”

Sophie Maplesden, Google Review

Easy to work with

“Sam was so nice and easy to work with and able to turn around the designs in such a short amount of time and listened to exactly what was required! Couldn’t recommend him more!”

Richard Heath, Google Review

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