Quad Joins Ad Age’s Top 25 Agency Companies—Without Acting Like One
Quad/Graphics, Inc., best known for turning marketing complexity into cohesive customer experiences, just landed at No. 21 on Ad Age’s annual list of the largest global agency companies—its sixth consecutive appearance. But unlike the usual suspects in the rankings—network giants like WPP and Publicis—Quad’s model breaks the traditional agency mold.
Rather than offer either boutique attention or big-agency scale, Quad is positioning itself as the rare hybrid that does both. Its model, blending deep client integration with full-funnel capability, reflects a shift in CMO expectations: personalization without compromise.
“Most CMOs feel forced to choose between close collaboration or full-service firepower. Quad doesn’t believe they should,” said Tim Maleeny, President of Agency Solutions and Chief Client Strategy Officer at Quad. “Our approach puts clients and the work first—always.”
More Than a Printer: A Full MX Stack
Originally built on a foundation of commercial printing, Quad has evolved into a full-fledged Marketing Experience (MX) company, offering a vertically integrated suite of creative, production, and media services. That legacy of hands-on production gives the company a maker’s edge—bridging strategy and execution with unusual fluidity.
Its capabilities include:
- Creative services via its agency Betty
- Full-service media through Rise
- Omnichannel execution across digital, print, and in-store
- Tech-enabled campaign optimization using data-driven insights
This breadth of service enables Quad to remove friction across the customer journey—from initial concept to delivery—whether a campaign ends up in a mailbox, inbox, or Instagram feed.
Why It Matters: The New Agency DNA
Quad’s inclusion in Ad Age’s 2025 rankings speaks to a larger trend in the marketing world: brands want agile partners that can operate as extensions of internal teams, not siloed vendors. With around 11,000 employees across 11 countries, and a client base spanning 2,100 businesses, Quad is proving that scale and customization can coexist.
And in an era where commerce, financial services, and health verticals are rapidly digitizing, Quad’s ability to seamlessly integrate media and creative with logistics and fulfillment is a strategic differentiator.
What’s Next for Quad?
As marketing grows more data-driven and customer expectations rise, Quad is doubling down on obsessive collaboration, speed-to-market, and value delivery. Expect the company to continue carving out space between boutique nimbleness and holding-company sprawl—giving brands a third, and increasingly relevant, option.
“This ranking reaffirms our belief that the agency model can evolve—and it must,” said Maleeny.
