Top 12 social media companies in the Midwest
12 social media companies in the Midwest 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
- 12
- sources cited
- 44
- median years in business
- 14
- with a named leader
- 9/12
The list at a glance
Scroll sideways →| # | Firm | Based in | Since | Team | Led by | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fresh Content SocietyProfile | Highland Park, IL | 2014 | 11–50 | Scott Emalfarb | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 02 | Crackerjack MarketingProfile | Chicago, IL | 2010 | 11–50 | Stephanie Schwab | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 03 | The Social LightsProfile | Minneapolis, MN | 2011 | 11–50 | n/a | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 04 | Firebelly MarketingProfile | Indianapolis, IN | 2007 | 11–50 | Duncan Alney | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 05 | OnyaProfile | Carmel, IN | 2018 | 11–50 | n/a | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 06 | The Outloud GroupProfile | Detroit, MI | 2007 | 11–50 | n/a | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 07 | SōshProfile | Milwaukee, WI | 1999 | 1–10 | Michelle D'Attilio | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 08 | Return on CreatorsProfile | Kansas City, MO | 2018 | 1–10 | Jake Bjorseth | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 09 | HurrdatProfile | Omaha, NE | 2010 | 51–200 | Bill Hipsher | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 10 | SculptProfile | Iowa City, IA | 2012 | 11–50 | Josh Krakauer | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 11 | ChatterkickProfile | Sioux City, IA | 2012 | 11–50 | Beth Trejo | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote. |
| 12 | New Tribe MediaProfile | Des Moines, IA | 2018 | 1–10 | Sam Hoyle | Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; 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 Scott Emalfarb, Founder & CEO
- Highland Park, IL
- Since 2014
- 11–50 people
Fresh Content Society is an independent social media agency in Chicago's northern suburbs founded in 2014 by Scott Emalfarb. It runs strategy, content, community and paid social for national brands and reports more than 2 billion organic impressions and 1 billion organic video views; case studies include 250 million organic video views for PEAK and a 5,000 percent follower increase for Dan-O's Seasoning. Clutch records social media marketing as 70 percent of its work.
Why it’s hereA Chicago-area social-only shop with KFC, Samsung and National Geographic on its client list and 14 Clutch reviews.
Best forConsumer and industrial brands, from food products to contractor equipment makers, that want outsourced social media management, content and community building from a Chicago-area agency founded in 2014.
freshcontentsociety.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social-first strategy · organic video · community management · influencer marketing · paid social
- Named clients
- KFC, Samsung, National Geographic, Hilton, Graco, LINE-X, PEAK, Dan-O's Seasoning, Gildan, Stern Pinball
- Selected work
- Dan-O's Seasoning. Social strategy and content that the case study says lifted video views and engagement 5,000% and overall engagement 40%. case study ↗
- Graco. Consolidated 115 social channels into one global presence, reaching 5M organic video views in the first six months. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 833 Central Ave., Suite 2 · Highland Park, IL · 60035 · 312-291-1810
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources freshcontentsociety.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 02
Led by Stephanie Schwab, Founder & CEO
- Chicago, IL
- Since 2010
- 11–50 people
Crackerjack Marketing is a Chicago-headquartered B2B digital agency founded in 2010 with satellite teams in Barcelona and Mumbai. It specialises in social media, executive LinkedIn presence, content and email programs for technology companies, and lists more than 125 clients including Medtronic, Avalara and HPE Aruba.
Why it’s hereSixteen years of B2B social work for enterprise technology brands from a Chicago base.
Best forB2B technology and professional services brands, and their executives, that want LinkedIn profile and presence management plus social media and content marketing from a remote team working since 2010.
crackerjackmarketing.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- B2B social media · executive LinkedIn · content marketing · email marketing
- Named clients
- Medtronic, Avalara, HPE Aruba, Nozomi Networks, Pernod Ricard, Marvell, Marriott, PGA Tour
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 3838 N Ravenswood Ave, Suite 100 #3133 · Chicago, IL · 60613 · +1-312-429-5588
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources crackerjackmarketing.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 03
- Minneapolis, MN
- Since 2011
- 11–50 people
The Social Lights is a WBENC-certified, social-first agency in Minneapolis' North Loop founded in 2011. It handles strategy, creative production, social media buying, community care and measurement, and describes itself as one of the fastest-growing TikTok agencies in the country. Named clients include General Mills, Ecolab, Cargill and Polaris.
Why it’s hereTwo appearances on the Inc. 5000 and Clutch records its work as 100 percent social media marketing.
Best forPackaged snack and consumer brands (Totino's, Chex Mix, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers) that want social-first creative, community management and paid social from a WBE-certified agency.
thesociallights.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social-first creative · TikTok · paid social · social care and engagement · video production
- Named clients
- General Mills, Ecolab, Cargill, Caribou Coffee, Kwik Trip, Polaris, Massage Envy
- Selected work
- Chex Mix. Announced the return of the Bagel flavor with Sir Mix-A-Lot remixing his hit song for social. case study ↗
- Fruit Roll-Ups. TikTok campaign built around a fruit-wrapped ice cream trend that won a Webby for real-time response. case study ↗
- Totino's. Ongoing Gen Z social content that won a Shorty Award for Instagram presence. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 241 N 5th Ave Suite #100 · Minneapolis, MN · 55401 · 612.803.8833
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources thesociallights.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 04
Led by Duncan Alney, Founder and CEO
- Indianapolis, IN
- Since 2007
- 11–50 people
Firebelly Marketing is an Indianapolis agency founded in 2007 by Duncan Alney that works only on social: organic management, community management, paid social, UGC and email/SMS, with an in-house photo, video and design studio. It concentrates on food and beverage brands and has been featured by Ad Age, Social Media Today and BevNET.
Why it’s hereNearly two decades as a social-only agency; Clutch records its service mix as 100 percent social media marketing.
Best forFood, beverage and spirits brands that want content creation, community management, paid social and UGC from a social-only agency.
firebellymarketing.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social media management · paid social · user-generated content · food and beverage · community management
- Named clients
- Sony, For Dummies, R-C Ranch, Filmland Spirits, Better Sour, Keya's Snacks
- Selected work
- Filmland Spirits. Content creation and social strategy that grew the whiskey brand's total audience 2,600% in 6 months. case study ↗
- R-C Ranch. Social content program that grew the ranch's Instagram audience more than 3,600% in under 2 years. case study ↗
- Bake Believe. Instagram and Facebook work that produced over 6.5 million Instagram impressions in 3 years. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 6543 Ferguson St · Indianapolis, IN · 46220 · 317-557-4460
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources firebellymarketing.com, clutch.co, councils.forbes.comLinkedIn ↗
- 05
- Carmel, IN
- Since 2018
- 11–50 people
Onya is a certified women-owned digital advertising agency in Carmel, north of Indianapolis, founded in 2018 by Ashley Monk. It runs paid campaigns on Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn and Google, manages organic social and creator programs, and builds landing pages, with a client base heavy in higher education and franchises such as Crumbl. Clutch puts social media marketing at half of its work.
Why it’s hereIndiana's highest-ranked social media agency on Clutch, with Crumbl and Conrad Hotels among named clients.
Best forIndiana businesses around Carmel and Indianapolis looking for an outside team to run social media marketing.
UpdateSite responds, but its pages could not be read for this check because of a fetch rate limit.
onyamark.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- paid social · creator marketing · organic social management · higher education · women-owned
- Named clients
- Crumbl, Conrad Hotels, Geneva College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Boardable, City of Noblesville, KidsCare Home Health
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources onyamark.com, clutch.co
- 06
- Detroit, MI
- Since 2007
- 11–50 people
The Outloud Group is a Detroit influencer and podcast marketing agency whose precursor was founded in 2007 by Joel Beckett and which is now led by CEO Brad Hoos from an office above the Fillmore Detroit. It plans and buys creator campaigns across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, gaming and podcasts and reports 45,000-plus brand sponsorships and 17 billion views. Crain's Detroit Business put its headcount at about 30.
Why it’s herePremier agency partner status with YouTube, TikTok and Meta and a client list including KitchenAid, Whirlpool and AG1.
Best forDirect-to-consumer, gaming and entertainment brands that want influencer, podcast and creator ambassador programs measured on traffic and sales, with paid amplification of creator content.
outloudgroup.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- influencer marketing · YouTube and TikTok creators · podcast advertising · gaming and esports · ambassador programs
- Named clients
- AG1, CarGurus, Chomps, Fiverr, KitchenAid, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Whirlpool, Vinted, PolicyGenius
- Selected work
- AG1. Built an evergreen influencer program that drove 20K+ conversions and 216M views. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 230 E. Grand River, 6th Floor · Detroit, MI · 48226 · 313.603.5776
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources outloudgroup.com, crainsdetroit.com, ideamensch.comLinkedIn ↗
- 07
Led by Michelle D'Attilio, CEO
- Milwaukee, WI
- Since 1999
- 1–10 people
Sōsh is a Milwaukee digital marketing agency founded by Michelle D'Attilio, who marked 26 years of the company in late 2025; it also has an office in St. George, Utah. Services centre on social media management and advertising across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, plus web strategy, content and fractional CMO work for consumer and e-commerce brands such as Flitz.
Why it’s hereA woman-founded social agency with a longer run than most in Wisconsin, listed by Expertise.com for Milwaukee social media marketing.
Best forConsumer and ecommerce brands that want social media, content and ad strategy alongside web design and event activations, from a team based in Milwaukee and St. George, Utah.
getsosh.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social media management and advertising · Facebook, Instagram and TikTok · fractional CMO · web strategy
- Named clients
- Flitz, Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar
- Selected work
- Flitz. Website strategy, ecommerce marketing, and content and ad strategy. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 414.220.4340
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources getsosh.com, expertise.comLinkedIn ↗
- 08
Led by Jake Bjorseth, Founder
- Kansas City, MO
- Since 2018
- 1–10 people
Return on Creators is the current name of Trndsttrs, Inc., a Kansas City creator-marketing company founded in 2018 by Jake Bjorseth as a Gen Z-staffed TikTok agency. It now runs TikTok Shop management, creator content amplification and UGC programs measured through its own analytics engine, and reports more than 35,000 creator partnerships and $60 million in revenue generated for brands including McDonald's, L'Oreal and PacSun.
Why it’s hereKansas City's TikTok-first creator shop, covered by Startland News for its TikTok Shop program and now trading as Return on Creators.
Best forConsumer brands in food, beauty and apparel that want TikTok Shop run as a performance channel along with influencer and UGC programs measured by sales.
UpdateTrndsttrs, Inc. now operates as Return on Creators (RoC); the Kansas City agency was founded by Jake Bjorseth and says it has run creator programs since 2018.
returnoncreators.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- TikTok Shop and social commerce · creator and influencer campaigns · UGC programs · Gen Z marketing
- Named clients
- McDonald's, L'Oreal, PacSun, The North Face, Denny's, Art of Sucre
- Selected work
- Art of Sucre. TikTok strategy that produced a viral video within a week or two and daily sellouts, per the client's founder. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources returnoncreators.com, clutch.co, startlandnews.comLinkedIn ↗
- 09
Led by Bill Hipsher, President
- Omaha, NE
- Since 2010
- 51–200 people
Hurrdat started in Omaha in 2010 as one of the first agencies offering social media marketing to brands and athletes and has since grown into a group with marketing, media, podcast, PR (Lukas Partners), media-buying (Canary & Coal) and apparel divisions. Social media remains one of its core marketing services alongside content, video, SEO and web design.
Why it’s hereAn Omaha company that began as a social media agency in 2010 and now employs a 50-plus person team, per Clutch.
Best forOmaha and Midwest businesses that want social media, advertising, PR, video and podcast production from one media and marketing group founded in 2010, which also runs local media networks and sports properties.
hurrdat.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social media marketing · content and video · podcast production · sports and entertainment
- Named clients
- Edwards Auto Group
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 11218 John Galt Blvd, Ste 301 · Omaha, NE · 68137 · (402) 261-2898
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources hurrdat.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 10
Led by Josh Krakauer, CEO
- Iowa City, IA
- Since 2012
- 11–50 people
Sculpt is a B2B social media agency headquartered in Iowa City and founded in 2012 by Josh Krakauer. Its roughly 20-person remote-first team runs organic and paid social, influencer, executive and employee advocacy and Reddit programs for SaaS, cybersecurity and manufacturing companies. Case studies include Loom, KnowBe4 and Monotype.
Why it’s hereIowa's most nationally visible social agency, with a B2B tech client roster and a place on Clutch's Iowa social media rankings.
Best forB2B SaaS, cybersecurity and manufacturing companies that want organic social, LinkedIn ads, influencer and executive social handled by a social-only agency.
wearesculpt.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- B2B social media · paid social · B2B influencer marketing · executive social programs · Reddit marketing
- Named clients
- Loom, KnowBe4, Monotype, Remote, Blend, Netscout
- Selected work
- Loom. Influencer campaign with 4 creators and 16 posts that drew 668K organic views and more than 1 million total views. case study ↗
- KnowBe4. B2B social media campaign for the security awareness company. case study ↗
- Livability. Ongoing LinkedIn ad campaign that produced hundreds of hard-to-reach leads. case study ↗
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 201 E Washington St #1002 · Iowa City, IA · 52240 · 707.728.5780
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources wearesculpt.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 11
Led by Beth Trejo, Founder and CEO
- Sioux City, IA
- Since 2012
- 11–50 people
Chatterkick is a women-owned social media agency founded in Sioux City in 2012 by Beth Trejo, with a second office in Baton Rouge. It handles strategy, content, community management and paid social for mid-market and multi-location brands, and also runs recruitment advertising and review generation. Clutch reviews include THOR Industries and The Maids International.
Why it’s hereFourteen years as a social-first agency with national franchise and manufacturing accounts.
Best forMulti-location, franchise and dealer-network brands, including regulated healthcare, finance and construction companies, that want a woman-led agency focused on social media to run their channels.
chatterkick.com · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social media management · paid social · digital recruitment · review generation · multi-location brands
- Named clients
- THOR Industries, The Maids International, Primebank, Knoepfler Chevrolet, Family Health Care of Siouxland, Siouxland Chamber of Commerce
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
- Office
- 253 5th St · Sioux City, IA · (712) 274-3786
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources chatterkick.com, clutch.coLinkedIn ↗
- 12
Led by Sam Hoyle, Founder
- Des Moines, IA
- Since 2018
- 1–10 people
New Tribe Media is a social media and film production agency in Des Moines founded by Sam Hoyle, a former journalist. It runs social channels, produces short-form video for TikTok and Reels and shoots longer films, mostly for organ procurement organisations, nonprofits, transit agencies and political candidates. It also handles social for local restaurants including Dough Co. Pizza and Des Moines Biergarten.
Why it’s hereBest of Category for social media at the 2024 AMA Iowa NOVA Awards and Silver and Bronze Telly Awards for its Second a Day social campaign.
Best forOrgan procurement organizations, large nonprofits and progressive political campaigns that want social media community building and film production.
newtri.be · homepage on September 28, 2026 - Known for
- social media management · short-form video · film production · nonprofit and organ donation · political campaigns
- Named clients
- Iowa Donor Network, Lifeline of Ohio, Donate Life America, Mid-America Transplant, Chevron, DART, United Way of Central Iowa, Dough Co. Pizza
- Selected work
- Yes Idaho. Storytelling campaign for the organ donation organization that reached 1 million impressions in one month. case study ↗
- Iowa Donor Network. Built what the agency calls the largest and most engaged OPO social media presence in the US. case study ↗
- Chevron. Documentary film on its renewable winter oilseed cover crop pilot. case study ↗
- Recognition
- Estimated cost
Estimated: $4,000–$12,000/mo, typical for Midwest social media retainers; not a quote.
Typical industry estimate, not a quote from any firm on this list.
Site checked live September 28, 2026Sources newtri.be, designrush.comLinkedIn ↗
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
- Corrected · Fresh Content Society
Corrected Fresh Content Society's city from Northfield to Highland Park, Illinois.
- Corrected · Return on Creators (Trndsttrs)
Renamed Trndsttrs to Return on Creators, the name the agency now uses.
Questions before you hire a social media company in the Midwest
- How many social media companies in the Midwest are on this list, and where are they?
- 12. The 12 firms are spread across Highland Park, Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Carmel, Detroit and 6 other cities. Each was checked against its own site and at least one independent source. Nobody pays to be ranked.
- How do I choose between social media companies in the Midwest?
- 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. 11 of the 12 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. The one paid card is marked Featured. It sits outside the ranking. It is Fracs, which shares this list's publisher.
- How long have these social media companies been around?
- The oldest firm on this list states 1999 as its founding year. A year is shown only when the firm states one.
- What should I bring to a first call with a social media company?
- 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 social media companies.
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 social media companies
Google News. Headline and link only.
- Should Social Media Companies Do More to Protect Teen Users?The New York Times · a month ago
- Social media companies are trying harder to know which users are kidsAP News · a month ago
- Meta Doesn’t Want to Be a Social Media Company AnymoreMother Jones · 2 months ago
- State Nets Millions In National Settlement With Social Media Company MetaWest Virginia Public Broadcasting · 2 months ago
Social Media Today
National trade feed. Headline and link only.
- Pinterest reports solid user growth in Q3Social Media Today · today
- YouTube subscriptions are rising as more users turn to connected TVSocial Media Today · today
- Threads tests smaller group sharing optionSocial Media Today · yesterday
- YouTube is testing new fixes for spam violationsSocial Media Today · yesterday
How to choose, what it costs, and where these firms are based.
Describe the job. One social media company 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.