2026 Guide for Global Brands
Choosing the right advertising agency can shape how your brand grows, competes, and stays relevant. With people seeing thousands of ads daily across digital and physical channels, brands need partners who understand audiences, data, creativity, and performance, all working together.
This guide highlights 15 trusted advertising agencies serving global brands. It also explains how agencies scale their operations and introduces an alternative hiring model through FastLaneRecruit’s Employer of Record (EOR) for agencies building marketing and PR teams in Malaysia.
Content Outline
Key Summary
Strategic Creativity
Top agencies craft campaigns that connect emotionally with audiences, like fitness apps telling relatable stories to boost brand recall.
Data-Driven Targeting
Agencies use analytics to optimize ads and audience targeting, ensuring higher ROI and reduced wasted spend.
Omnichannel Reach
Consistent messaging across social, search, email, and offline channels builds brand recognition and trust.
Performance Tracking
Measuring clicks, conversions, and engagement helps refine campaigns and focus on high-performing strategies.
Compliance Awareness
Agencies follow privacy laws and advertising regulations to protect brands and maintain consumer trust.
Top Agencies for Global Brands
From inBeat’s influencer campaigns to Wieden+Kennedy’s storytelling, the top 15 agencies excel in creativity, performance, and client results.
EOR for Malaysian PR & Marketing Teams
FastLaneRecruit enables agencies to legally hire Malaysian talent, handle payroll, contracts, and compliance, allowing faster, scalable team expansion.
What Makes a Great Advertising Agency?
A great advertising agency does more than design ads. It understands your audience, uses data to guide decisions, and delivers campaigns that grow your brand in a steady and measurable way. Below are the core qualities that top-performing agencies share with simple examples to show how they work in real life.
| Key Capability | Why It Matters | Example |
| Strategic Creativity | Builds emotional connections with customers | Instead of just showing a product photo, an agency creates a short video telling a relatable story such as how a fitness app helped busy parents stay healthy. This makes people remember the brand and trust it more. |
| Data-Driven Targeting | Improves ROI and campaign accuracy | An agency studies website visits, ad clicks, and customer behavior, then adjusts campaigns to show ads only to people who are more likely to buy, helping brands spend smarter and avoid wasted ads. |
| Omnichannel Reach | Keeps brand messaging consistent | A customer sees the same brand message on Google, Instagram, email, and YouTube. The visuals, tone, and offer feel familiar, which builds confidence and recognition. |
| Performance Tracking | Shows what is working and what to improve | Agencies track which ads get the most clicks, leads, and sales. If one ad performs better, they increase its budget and refine the weaker ones to improve results. |
| Compliance Awareness | Aligns with advertising policies and privacy laws | Agencies ensure ads follow local advertising rules, consent requirements, and data privacy standards, helping brands avoid legal risks while building consumer trust. |
Why This Matters for Global Brands
When agencies use all five of these capabilities together, brands benefit from clearer messaging, better campaign results, and safer market expansion. This is especially important when running campaigns across multiple countries, platforms, and languages, where consistency, performance, and compliance must all work in harmony.
Also Read: Build Your Offshore Marketing Team in Malaysia (Singapore Edition)
Top 15 Advertising Agencies for Global Brands
For global brands, choosing the right advertising agency can make the difference between campaigns that resonate and campaigns that fall flat. Here’s a breakdown of 15 top agencies, what makes them stand out, and examples of clients they’ve helped succeed.
1. inBeat
Key Strength: Influencer-driven UGC & paid social
Notable Clients: New Balance, Disney
inBeat specializes in harnessing the power of influencers to create authentic user-generated content (UGC). By combining influencer campaigns with paid social media, they amplify brand messages and increase engagement. For example, a Disney campaign might use micro-influencers to share short clips of fans enjoying a new release, making the promotion feel personal and relatable.
2. 9AM
Key Strength: Performance growth & ROAS focus
Notable Clients: Booksy, Hurom
9AM focuses on performance marketing, ensuring campaigns deliver measurable results such as Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and conversions. For example, they might optimize a Hurom juicer ad by targeting audiences most likely to buy online, refining messaging and placements until results hit peak efficiency.
3. Said Differently
Key Strength: Global flexible expert teams
Notable Clients: BMW, Coca-Cola
Said Differently operates with flexible, globally distributed teams that adapt to local markets. They are ideal for brands needing culturally relevant campaigns in multiple regions. For BMW, this might mean tailoring car launch campaigns differently in Europe, Asia, and North America while maintaining a consistent brand voice.
4. AMP Agency
Key Strength: Retail & franchise omnichannel
Notable Clients: Starbucks
AMP Agency excels at omnichannel marketing for retail and franchise brands. Starbucks, for instance, might use AMP to synchronize in-store promotions with social media campaigns and email marketing, ensuring customers get a cohesive experience across all touchpoints.
5. Wieden+Kennedy
Key Strength: Creative storytelling
Notable Clients: Nike, McDonald’s
Wieden+Kennedy is legendary for creating emotionally resonant campaigns that tell stories audiences remember. Their Nike campaigns often inspire with motivational narratives, connecting the brand to deeper values like perseverance and achievement.
6. Ogilvy
Key Strength: Integrated brand strategy
Notable Clients: IBM, Dove
Ogilvy combines PR, content, and digital expertise into an integrated strategy that ensures consistent messaging. Dove, for example, benefits from campaigns that combine advertising, social responsibility initiatives, and influencer outreach seamlessly.
7. BBDO
Key Strength: Emotion-led campaigns
Notable Clients: Mars, FedEx
BBDO uses creativity to evoke strong emotional responses. For Mars, this could mean ads that connect their chocolate brands with moments of joy and sharing, making the campaigns more memorable and shareable.
8. TBWA\Chiat\Day
Key Strength: Disruptive brand positioning
Notable Clients: Apple
TBWA is known for its “Disruption®” philosophy, creating campaigns that challenge norms and stand out. For Apple, this approach drives innovative, boundary-pushing ads that highlight design and functionality in ways competitors don’t.
9. Droga5
Key Strength: Culture-driven advertising
Notable Clients: Amazon
Droga5 crafts campaigns that resonate with contemporary culture, blending entertainment, storytelling, and brand messaging. Amazon campaigns often integrate timely cultural moments to stay relevant and engaging.
10. VMLY&R
Key Strength: Connected digital experience
Notable Clients: Ford
VMLY&R emphasizes seamless digital experiences, connecting campaigns across multiple channels. For Ford, this might involve integrating website, social media, and digital ads so that prospective car buyers have a unified and engaging journey online.
Also Read: Build Your Offshore Marketing Team in Malaysia (Hong Kong Edition)
11. Single Grain
Key Strength: SEO, paid media, CRO
Notable Clients: Amazon
Single Grain focuses on digital growth by combining SEO, paid advertising, and conversion rate optimization (CRO). They ensure campaigns not only attract visitors but also convert them into customers effectively.
12. Havas
Key Strength: Global transformation & creative
Notable Clients: Adidas
Havas supports global brands in both creative and strategic transformation. For Adidas, Havas may create campaigns that revitalize the brand’s image while aligning with modern trends and digital innovations.
13. Walker Sands
Key Strength: B2B outcome marketing
Notable Clients: SEMrush
Walker Sands specializes in B2B marketing, helping companies generate measurable results like leads, customer acquisition, and revenue growth. For SEMrush, this could involve campaigns targeting marketers through webinars, thought leadership content, and precision digital ads.
14. Kobe Digital
Key Strength: Video & web performance
Notable Clients: Leica
Kobe Digital leverages video content and high-performing web campaigns to drive engagement and sales. For Leica, they might create visually stunning short videos showcasing cameras while ensuring the website is optimized for conversions.
15. LYFE Marketing
Key Strength: Social & PPC performance
Notable Clients: Cardinal Group
LYFE Marketing combines social media management with pay-per-click advertising, helping brands reach audiences efficiently while tracking ROI. For Cardinal Group, campaigns may include targeted LinkedIn ads combined with Instagram content to maximize visibility.
Tips for Choosing the Right Agency Partner
Selecting the right advertising or marketing agency is critical to achieving your brand goals. The right partner not only delivers creative campaigns but also ensures measurable results and smooth collaboration. Here are some practical tips to guide your decision:
1. Check Proven Performance Metrics
Why it matters: Past performance is one of the strongest indicators of future success. Agencies that track ROI, conversion rates, or other KPIs can demonstrate how they’ve helped other clients grow.
Example: If you are considering an agency for a paid social campaign, ask for metrics like cost per click (CPC), engagement rates, or ROAS from similar campaigns. For instance, a campaign that increased a fashion brand’s online sales by 30% in three months shows the agency can deliver measurable results.
2. Review Case Studies and Client Feedback
Why it matters: Case studies provide a deep dive into an agency’s process, creativity, and problem-solving approach, while client testimonials reveal real-world satisfaction and collaboration experiences.
Example: Suppose an agency helped Disney launch an influencer-driven campaign. Their case study might show how they selected micro-influencers, optimized content for engagement, and increased fan interaction by 50%. Reading this gives you insight into how they work and whether it aligns with your brand’s needs.
3. Confirm Data Privacy and Compliance Standards
Why it matters: With stricter privacy laws (like GDPR and CCPA), agencies must handle data responsibly to protect your customers and your brand.
Example: An agency running retargeting ads must ensure user device IDs or email lists are securely stored and compliant with regulations. If you are considering rideshare or geofencing campaigns, confirm they anonymize data and follow privacy laws to avoid legal risks.
4. Ensure Transparent Reporting
Why it matters: Regular, clear reporting allows you to see what’s working, identify areas for improvement, and justify your marketing spend.
Example: An agency might provide monthly dashboards showing impressions, clicks, conversions, and cost per acquisition. For instance, a campaign for a beverage brand could show that social ads generated 20% more website visits than paid search, helping you allocate your budget more effectively.
Also Read: Build Your Offshore Marketing Team in Malaysia (Australia Edition)
5. Understand Their Team Structure and Support Model
Why it matters: Knowing who will work on your account and how support is structured ensures efficient communication and accountability.
Example: If an agency provides a dedicated account manager plus a team of specialists in creative, analytics, and social media, you’ll know exactly who to contact for strategy discussions, campaign updates, or troubleshooting. For example, a tech brand might benefit from having a dedicated SEO specialist to optimize all web content alongside a project manager coordinating cross-channel campaigns.
Choosing an agency isn’t just about creativity, it’s about results, trust, and collaboration. Following these tips ensures that your brand partners with an agency that is capable, compliant, and aligned with your goals.
Why Global Agencies Are Expanding Teams in Malaysia
In recent years, Malaysia has emerged as a preferred hub for global PR, marketing, and advertising operations. International agencies are choosing Malaysia for its unique combination of talent, infrastructure, and strategic location. Here’s why:
1. English-Speaking Workforce
Why it matters: Clear communication is crucial when collaborating across regions. Malaysia’s workforce is highly proficient in English, making coordination with global teams seamless.
Example: A U.S.-based agency managing campaigns across Asia can have Malaysian PR staff drafting press releases, managing media relations, and coordinating with clients without language barriers. This reduces misunderstandings and accelerates project timelines.
2. Digital-Savvy Professionals
Why it matters: Malaysia produces talent skilled in digital marketing, from SEO and paid media to social media strategy and content creation. Agencies can tap into these skills to drive results without the steep learning curve.
Example: An e-commerce brand looking to scale in APAC could rely on Malaysian specialists to run multi-channel campaigns, optimize Google Ads, and create engaging social content that resonates with local audiences.
3. Government Digital Initiatives
Why it matters: Malaysia’s government actively supports the digital economy through incentives, grants, and programs that promote tech adoption and business growth. This makes it easier for global agencies to set up and scale operations.
Example: Agencies can leverage incentives for hiring local talent, accessing co-working spaces, or using cloud-based marketing tools, reducing operational costs while expanding capabilities.
4. Time-Zone Alignment
Why it matters: Malaysia’s time zone (GMT+8) provides an ideal overlap for companies serving APAC, Middle East, and even Europe. Teams can coordinate with clients and internal stakeholders efficiently.
Example: A European brand running a marketing campaign in Asia can have Malaysian staff handling content approvals, analytics, and client reporting in real-time, allowing faster execution than relying on distant offshore teams.
5. Cost-Effective Talent Without Compromising Quality
Why it matters: Compared to the U.S. or Western Europe, Malaysia offers competitive salaries for highly skilled professionals, allowing agencies to expand teams without dramatically increasing costs.
Example: Hiring a digital marketing specialist or PR manager in Malaysia can provide the same expertise as hiring in London or New York, but at a fraction of the cost, freeing budget for campaigns or strategic initiatives.
Global agencies are increasingly recognizing Malaysia as a strategic extension of their operations. By combining language proficiency, digital expertise, supportive government policies, and favorable time zones, Malaysia allows agencies to scale efficiently while maintaining high-quality output.
Example: Scaling a Marketing Team via Outsourcing & EOR
Scenario:
A U.S.-based advertising agency wants to expand paid media, SEO, and PR support for APAC clients. The agency needs local talent in Malaysia to handle day-to-day campaign execution and client communications, but setting up a local entity is time-consuming and costly.
Outsourcing Malaysian PR & Marketing Employees
Agencies can outsource skilled Malaysian PR and marketing staff to execute campaigns locally. Roles commonly outsourced include:
| Role | Function | Example of Work |
| PR Account Executive | Media relations & content creation | Writing press releases, pitching stories to local media, managing client communication |
| Paid Ads Specialist | Google & Meta ads | Running campaigns for regional clients, optimizing bids, tracking conversions |
| SEO Strategist | Organic growth | Improving website rankings, keyword strategy, on-page and off-page SEO |
| Marketing Coordinator | Campaign reporting & analytics | Collecting data from multiple channels, preparing performance reports, tracking KPIs |
Benefit: Agencies can access top Malaysian talent without hiring full-time employees locally, reducing overhead and administrative burden.
Outsource Malaysian PR & Marketing Staff Seamlessly via EOR
For a more seamless and compliant approach, global agencies can use FastLaneRecruit’s Employer of Record (EOR) service. Here’s why this method works:
- Legal Employment: FastLaneRecruit officially employs Malaysian staff, ensuring full compliance with local labor laws.
- Simplified Payroll & HR: Salaries, benefits, taxes, and contracts are all handled by FastLaneRecruit.
- Quick Team Expansion: Agencies can start work immediately with local staff without company registration.
- Scalable & Flexible: From a single hire to a full regional marketing team, EOR adapts to agency needs.
- Focus on Campaigns: Agencies manage team performance and client projects while FastLaneRecruit handles administrative tasks.
Example: A U.S. creative agency can hire a Malaysian SEO strategist, paid ads specialist, and PR executive via FastLaneRecruit’s EOR. The agency directs campaigns and client interactions, while FastLaneRecruit manages all legal, payroll, and HR obligations. This allows agencies to expand their APAC operations quickly, efficiently, and legally without a local entity.
Outsourcing Malaysian PR and marketing employees is a fast way to access local talent, but using an EOR solution makes it easier, fully compliant, and scalable. Agencies can focus on strategy and performance while leaving legal, payroll, and HR matters to FastLaneRecruit, ensuring smooth campaign execution across the APAC region.
Conclusion
Working with a top advertising agency gives brands access to creativity, performance expertise, and global reach. At the same time, agencies themselves are evolving by building distributed marketing and PR teams to support clients worldwide.
FastLaneRecruit makes this growth simpler, helping agencies hire Malaysian PR and marketing professionals compliantly and confidently.
Whether you’re scaling campaigns or expanding support teams, the right mix of agency partnerships and smart hiring strategies can take your brand further in 2026 and beyond.
Ready to Build a Marketing Team in Malaysia?
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- Expand your team without opening a local office
- Access top talent in PR, paid ads, SEO, and digital marketing
- Focus on performance while we handle payroll, contracts, and compliance
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