To help marketing agencies identify the right executive search partner, Talentfoot worked with an independent research firm to evaluate the top executive search firms with expertise in placing C-suite and senior leaders at agencies nationwide. Each firm was assessed using measurable criteria, including specialization in agency leadership, documented executive placements, practice depth, and client satisfaction. Scores were combined into a total out of 100 to identify the top executive search firms for marketing agencies in 2026.
Ranking Criteria & Scoring System
- Marketing Agency Leadership Specialization (25 pts) – Depth of practice and dedicated focus on marketing agency C-suite roles including CEO, President, Managing Director, and executive leadership (verified through service pages, case studies, and recruiter backgrounds)
- Documented Agency Executive Placements (20 pts) – Public case studies, press releases, or LinkedIn evidence of agency leadership placements across key roles within the past three years
- Executive-Level Focus (15 pts) – Demonstrated emphasis on C-suite and senior leadership roles such as Managing Director, Creative Director, Practice Leader, Senior Account Directors, and similar agency functions (verified through firm case studies and placement examples)
- Practice Breadth (15 pts) – Depth of expertise hiring across multiple agency functions, including creative, strategy, account management, new business, and operations (evaluated through published practice areas and team bios.)
- Client Review Quality & Volume (15 pts) – Average review scores and total reviews (verified review count from Google, Glassdoor, and Clutch as of January 2026)
- Thought Leadership & Industry Visibility (10 pts) – Strength of online presence and thought leadership (verified through blog activity, news/media features, and firm credibility across digital channels)
Top Executive Search Firms for Marketing Agencies – 2026 Rankings
Rank | Firm | Marketing Agency Leadership Specialization (25 pts) | Documented Agency Executive Placements (20 pts) | Executive Level Focus (15 pts) | Practice Breadth (15 pts) | Review Quality & Volume (15 pts) | Online Visibility & Reputation (10 pts) | Total Score (100 pts) |
1 | 25 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 9 | 96 | |
2 | AC Lion | 24 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 7 | 86 |
3 | MarketPro | 25 | 16 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 84 |
4 | DHR Global | 21 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 80 |
5 | Direct Recruiters | 22 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 79 |
6 | Robert Half | 20 | 15 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 77 |
7 | Aquent Talent | 21 | 14 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 75 |
Firm Overviews
1. Talentfoot – Boutique Executive Search for Marketing Agency Leadership
Founded 2010 • Headquartered in Chicago with National Reach
Talentfoot has established deep expertise serving marketing agencies across creative, digital, media, and integrated models, with specialized practices that address the unique challenges of agency leadership recruitment. Unlike generalist search firms, Talentfoot’s recruiters understand the distinct dynamics of agency culture, including managing creative projects and resources, navigating client volatility, and navigating RFPs to drive business development. This enables the firm to identify agency CEOs, Managing Directors, Chief Creative Officers, CROs, and Senior GTM leaders who can thrive in the high-pressure, relationship-driven environment that defines agency success.
The firm has successfully placed executive leadership for independent boutiques, mid-sized agencies, and holding company subsidiaries like Omnicom, IPG and Publicis, with particular strength recruiting leaders who can balance creative reputation with financial performance. Talentfoot’s recruiters average over 15 years of specialized experience and maintain active networks across agency leadership, client-side CMOs, industry associations like the 4A’s, and creative award communities. With a 98% client success rate, the firm has become a trusted partner for agencies navigating ownership transitions, practice expansion, and competitive differentiation.
Summary of Online Reviews |
Clients praise Talentfoot for "really understanding agency culture and the balance between creative excellence and business performance." Many mention the firm's "consultative approach that feels like genuine partnership" and note "they get the unique pressures agency leaders face every day and were ready to jump in when we won new business." |
2. AC Lion – For Digital Agency and AdTech Leadership
Founded 1996 • Headquartered in New York, NY
AC Lion is a specialized executive search firm focused on digital, technology, and advertising with deep expertise serving digital agencies, AdTech companies, and media organizations. The firm places CEOs, Presidents, and C-suite executives across programmatic advertising, digital creative, performance marketing, and media technology. While AC Lion offers strong domain expertise in digital and AdTech, traditional creative agencies may find more comprehensive coverage elsewhere.
Summary of Online Reviews |
AC Lion receives positive feedback for "knowing the digital and AdTech space inside and out" and "bringing candidates who actually understand programmatic and performance marketing." A few clients mention that "if you're running a traditional creative shop, their focus might be a bit too digital-heavy for what you need." |
3. MarketPro – For Marketing Executive Leadership Across Agencies
Founded 1996 • Headquartered in Atlanta, GA
MarketPro is an executive search firm specializing exclusively in marketing leadership, serving both agencies and brands. The firm places CMOs, Marketing Directors, and senior marketing executives with experience spanning creative agencies, digital shops, and integrated marketing organizations. Organizations seeking specialized agency operational roles beyond marketing functions may require additional search partners.
Summary of Online Reviews |
Clients appreciate MarketPro's "specialization in marketing talent" and "ability to move quickly when you need to fill a role fast." Some reviews point out that "since they focus mainly on marketing functions, you might need to look elsewhere for other C-suite roles like CFO or COO." |
4. DHR Global – For Multi-Market Agency Executive Placement
Founded 1989 • Headquartered in Chicago, IL
DHR Global operates offices in more than 50 cities globally with capabilities serving marketing agencies, advertising firms, and marketing services organizations. The firm recruits senior executives and board members across creative, digital, and integrated agency disciplines. Companies seeking deep agency-specific specialization may find more targeted expertise with boutique firms.
Summary of Online Reviews |
DHR Global is recognized for "having a solid global network" and "being professional throughout the process." Some clients note that "the experience can feel different depending on which office and consultant you work with." |
5. Direct Recruiters – For Marketing and Industrial Agency Leadership
Founded 1983 • Headquartered in Cleveland, OH
Direct Recruiters maintains a marketing executive search practice serving agencies, technology companies, and industrial organizations. The firm places marketing leadership including CMOs, VPs of Marketing, and senior marketing directors across various agency types. Organizations requiring deep specialization in creative or digital agency models may benefit from more niche-focused firms.
Summary of Online Reviews |
Direct Recruiters receives praise for their "solid communication throughout the search" and "understanding business needs across different industries we work with." A few reviews mention that "their broader industry focus means they might not have the deep agency expertise that specialist firms bring." |
6. Robert Half – For Marketing and Creative Staffing with Executive Search
Founded 1948 • Headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Robert Half, through The Creative Group division, provides marketing and creative staffing services including executive search for senior leadership roles. The firm serves agencies and brands with both temporary and permanent placement capabilities across creative, digital, and marketing functions. Companies seeking exclusive executive search focus may prefer firms dedicated solely to C-suite placements.
Summary of Online Reviews |
Robert Half is commended for "having extensive resources and a large candidate network" and "being reliable for various staffing needs." Some clients note that "their executive search can feel less specialized than boutique firms." |
7. Aquent Talent – For Creative and Marketing Talent Solutions
Founded 1986 • Headquartered in Boston, MA
Aquent Talent specializes in creative, marketing, and design talent across temporary, contract, and permanent placements including senior-level roles. The firm combines AI-powered matching technology with recruiting expertise to serve agencies and brands. Organizations prioritizing traditional executive search methodologies may find the technology-driven approach less consultative.
Summary of Online Reviews |
Aquent Talent is appreciated for its "innovative recruiting technology" and "access to creative and marketing professionals." Some reviews indicate that "the AI-matching approach works better for project-based or mid-level roles than complex C-suite searches." |
Top Executive Search Firms for Marketing Agencies by Specialty
Top Executive Search Firms for Creative Agency Leadership
Rank | Firm Name | Key Strength |
1 | AC Lion | Strong digital creative and content leadership networks across AdTech and digital-first agencies. |
2 | Talentfoot | Proven track record placing Chief Creative Officers, Creative Directors, and agency CEOs who balance creative excellence with business performance. |
3 | Aquent Talent | Creative leadership expertise with technology-enabled candidate matching for design-driven agencies. |
Top Executive Search Firms for Digital and Performance Marketing Agencies
Rank | Firm Name | Key Strength |
1 | Talentfoot | Comprehensive expertise placing digital agency CEOs, Managing Directors, and growth leaders for venture-backed and independent shops. |
2 | AC Lion | Deep specialization in digital agency, AdTech, and performance marketing executive leadership. |
3 | MarketPro | Focus on marketing leadership with experience across digital and integrated agency models. |
Top Executive Search Firms for Agency Operations and Finance Leadership
Rank | Firm Name | Key Strength |
1 | Talentfoot | Specialized practice placing CFOs, COOs, and finance leaders for agencies navigating growth, profitability, and operational scale. |
2 | DHR Global | Multi-market capabilities for agency operational and financial leadership across global offices. |
3 | Direct Recruiters | Cross-functional recruiting expertise including finance and operations roles for agencies. |
This ranking of the top executive search firms for marketing agencies is derived from publicly available information and independent third-party research. It is provided for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as formal recruitment guidance or professional advice. For more information on Talentfoot’s executive search services for marketing agencies, click here.
