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Top Performance Marketing Agencies in the UK

Choosing the right performance marketing agency can significantly impact your company’s growth, especially for CMOs and startup founders looking to maximise return on marketing spend. Performance marketing focuses on driving measurable outcomes – the goal is to increase quantifiable results like leads, sales, and conversions. Unlike traditional branding campaigns, performance marketing initiatives are data-driven and ROI-focused, making the choice of agency a critical decision.

TLDR;

 

  • Journey Further
  • M&C Saatchi Performance
  • Publicis Pro
  • BARK (Bark London)
  • Loom Digital
  • Found

 

Journey Further

Overview: Journey Further is a global performance marketing agency known for its “Clarity at Speed” ethos and a focus on delivering fast, transparent results. Founded in 2017, it has expanded rapidly with teams in Leeds, Manchester, London, and New York, connecting clients directly with senior specialists for real-time collaboration. This model ensures a high degree of transparency and expertise on every account, allowing the agency to deliver what it calls “previously unthinkable results” for clients.

 

Areas of Expertise: Journey Further positions itself as a performance brand agency, blending data-driven digital marketing with brand strategy. Its services span the full range of performance channels – from PPC and SEO to paid social and digital experience optimisation – always with an emphasis on measurable performance. The agency’s approach of working in real-time with clients and leveraging data has earned it a reputation for agility and effectiveness.

 

Client Portfolio: The agency works with some of the world’s leading brands as well as ambitious high-growth companies (scale-ups) across various sectors. While specific client names are often under NDA, Journey Further’s roster includes global brands and disruptive startups that seek aggressive growth. The ethos of clarity and speed resonates with companies that demand quick insights and nimble campaign adjustments.

 

Standout Qualities: Journey Further has garnered significant industry recognition in a short time. It was crowned Global Performance Marketing Agency of the Year 2022 at Campaign’s Global Agency of the Year Awards. The agency also earned spots on AdWeek’s Fastest Growing Agencies list in 2021 and 2022, reflecting its rapid expansion. Notably, Journey Further is praised for its company culture – it’s been named the UK’s #1 company for employee wellbeing and consistently ranks among the top workplaces in the industry. This positive culture likely contributes to low staff turnover and high-quality service for clients. In summary, Journey Further stands out for its transparent, senior-led service model and award-winning performance campaigns.

 

M&C Saatchi Performance

Overview: M&C Saatchi Performance is the specialist performance marketing arm of the famed M&C Saatchi advertising group. Launched in 2006 as one of the first agencies focusing on mobile marketing, it has since evolved into a full-service performance media agency. Headquartered in London with a network of regional offices from Singapore to New York, M&C Saatchi Performance provides truly global coverage, executing campaigns that can span multiple markets. The agency prides itself on its mobile-first heritage and ability to adapt as the digital landscape became omnichannel and device-agnostic.

 

Areas of Expertise: With its roots in mobile user acquisition, M&C Saatchi Performance today offers a comprehensive suite of performance marketing services. This includes media buying across all digital channels – paid search, paid social, programmatic display, affiliate marketing, influencer marketing, streaming TV ads, and more. Essentially, “if it can be bought digitally, we buy it,” they proclaim, underscoring their expertise in digital media buying across platforms. The agency also has strong capabilities in data analytics and tech integration, reflecting in roles like Chief Data & Analytics Officer on their team. This means clients benefit from sophisticated campaign measurement and optimisation techniques.

 

Client Portfolio: M&C Saatchi Performance works with a host of well-known global brands, particularly those looking to scale customer acquisition worldwide. Its client list spans industries such as e-commerce, gaming, tech, and consumer goods. For example, the agency has run campaigns for Amazon, Beam Suntory, SoundCloud, Kindle, Sega, Canva, and even Pokémon among others. This impressive roster showcases the agency’s ability to handle large-scale accounts and deliver performance for both tech giants and consumer brands. Their experience with apps and mobile-centric businesses remains a strong suit.

 

Standout Qualities: As part of the M&C Saatchi network, this agency combines independent focus with big-agency resources. It maintains a level of independence to ensure the best solutions for clients, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Its longevity (nearly two decades in operation) and pioneering status in mobile marketing give it credibility and a rich knowledge base in the performance field. Furthermore, M&C Saatchi Performance’s global footprint is a key advantage – few agencies can offer truly localised digital campaign execution across so many regions. This scalability makes it an ideal partner for brands with international growth goals. In short, M&C Saatchi Performance stands out for its comprehensive service range, global reach, and deep roots in performance-driven marketing.

 

Publicis Pro

Overview: Publicis Pro is a London-based B2B-focused performance marketing agency under the Publicis Groupe, serving as its centre of excellence for B2B marketing. It specialises in bridging high-level strategy with performance execution for business-to-business brands. Publicis Pro leverages the massive Publicis network, meaning clients get access to global resources and local insights. In essence, Publicis Pro helps B2B marketers “find the extraordinary” in their business and translate it into campaigns that move the market.

 

Areas of Expertise: The agency offers an integrated approach grouped into Strategy, Creative, Influence, and Media services. On the performance side, its Pro Media offering covers everything needed to generate demand and leads: account-based marketing (ABM), programmatic advertising, search and social media campaigns, and marketing automation, all geared towards driving pipeline and conversions. Publicis Pro also distinguishes itself with proprietary tools like the B2B Lab (an AI-driven platform) that inform strategy with data. Additionally, their measurement and analytics capabilities are strong, ensuring that B2B campaigns are optimised for ROI. They also handle creative content and influencer/PR strategies under the same roof, which is valuable for B2B brands where content authority and thought leadership matter.

 

Client Portfolio: Publicis Pro works with a range of B2B clients, from innovative tech startups to established enterprise firms. Their work often involves complex industries like technology, professional services, and industrial sectors. Being part of Publicis Groupe, they have experience collaborating on global B2B accounts that require both local market understanding and worldwide coordination. Publicis Pro’s case studies often highlight significant improvements in lead generation and market perception for clients through their campaigns.

 

Standout Qualities: B2B Specialisation is a major differentiator here. Publicis Pro isn’t a generic agency – it deeply understands B2B buyer journeys and the importance of aligning sales and marketing. It has been recognised in industry awards, for example winning Silver for B2B Agency of the Year (UK) at the 2024 B2B Marketing Awards, underscoring its excellence in this arena. The agency also boasts that it can offer “unparalleled scale combined with close attention” – thanks to being plugged into Publicis’ global creative and media resources, they can scale campaigns internationally while still giving clients boutique-level service. In summary, Publicis Pro is ideal for businesses seeking a performance marketing partner with strategic depth, creative flair, and the muscle of a large network – all tuned to the demands of B2B marketing.

 

BARK (Bark London)

Overview: BARK, stylised as Bark London, is a specialist performance marketing agency based in London that focuses on helping e-commerce and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands accelerate their growth. As a newer entrant in the agency scene, Bark has quickly made a name for itself through its agile strategies and focus on creative as well as data. Their tagline “We Do Paid Media. Creative. Data. Performance.” succinctly captures their integrated approach. In essence, Bark positions itself as a one-stop shop for scaling online brands, blending customer acquisition expertise with in-house creative production and data science.

 

Areas of Expertise: Bark’s core services revolve around paid media (particularly paid social and paid search) and the creative and data capabilities to support it. On the paid media side, they excel at campaigns on Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google (search and Shopping), TikTok, and other emerging ad platforms. Uniquely, Bark pairs this with strong creative strategy and production – they create ad creatives (imagery, video, user-generated content) and run content shoots to fuel high-performing social campaigns. Additionally, Bark has a Data Science wing, offering services like attribution modelling and lifetime value analysis to inform campaigns. They even have a proprietary analytics solution called Bark.Insights, highlighting their commitment to data-driven performance. This combination of creative + data + media is particularly effective for D2C brands where constant testing and optimisation of creative assets is key.

 

Client Portfolio: Bark London proudly works with leading D2C brands and online retailers. Their client portfolio is filled with high-growth consumer brands, often digitally native companies looking to scale quickly. For example, Bark has supported brands like Getir (the rapid grocery delivery service) in their growth, as well as popular consumer product companies such as Chilly’s (known for reusable bottles). Many of their clients are in sectors like health & wellness, fashion, subscription services, and other e-commerce niches where performance marketing can rapidly drive online sales. The fact that these fast-moving brands trust Bark indicates the agency’s strength in agile campaign management.

 

Standout Qualities: Bark’s standout quality is its focus on e-commerce performance marketing. By specialising in D2C, they’ve honed strategies specific to online consumer sales (like lookalike audience targeting, conversion rate optimisation on ad funnels, etc.). The integrated team structure – with paid media buyers sitting alongside creative strategists and data analysts – allows Bark to test and iterate very quickly, a crucial advantage in fast-paced consumer campaigns. Culturally, Bark is known for “thinking differently” and staying one step ahead, which suggests a proactive approach to new platforms and trends (e.g., being early adopters of TikTok advertising for brands). In summary, Bark London is an excellent choice for e-commerce startups and scale-ups that need a hands-on partner to drive growth through sharp creative content and precise ad targeting, underpinned by solid data analysis.

 

Loom Digital

Overview: Loom Digital is an independent, Bristol-based digital marketing agency founded in 2009, with a strong focus on performance marketing and a people-centric ethos. As an agency outside the London bubble, Loom has built a reputation across the UK for delivering “considered digital marketing for long-term success.” They are proud to be a B Corp certified company, embedding positive values (people, planet, community) into their business practices. For CMOs and founders, Loom offers the appeal of a partner that is both results-driven and values-driven.

 

Areas of Expertise: Loom Digital provides a full spectrum of digital marketing services with performance at the core. Their offerings include Paid Media (PPC across Google, Bing, social ads, programmatic), SEO, Content marketing, Data & Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO), and broader digital strategy and consultancy. This all-round capability allows them to plan and execute full-funnel strategies – from driving traffic at the top of the funnel to optimising conversions at the bottom. Loom emphasises using data and expertise to fuel sustainable growth, rather than chasing vanity metrics. They also have experience with emerging areas like AI in marketing (even highlighting an AI service line), showing they keep up with industry evolutions. Notably, Loom’s approach is very collaborative and customised; they tailor strategies to each client rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

 

Client Portfolio: Loom has worked with clients across a broad range of sectors – e-commerce, B2B, technology, retail, and more. They highlight working with “ambitious brands, across every sector”, from local businesses to national brands. Examples of their work include boosting organic and paid traffic for Stellar Cookware, a leading kitchenware brand, resulting in significant revenue growth, and running targeted LinkedIn ad campaigns for EventStoreDB, a niche B2B software company, to drive lead generation. These case studies demonstrate Loom’s versatility – achieving success in both B2C commerce and highly technical B2B markets.

 

Standout Qualities: Loom Digital’s standout quality is its commitment to long-term, sustainable performance. As a B Corp-certified agency, they are committed not just to profits but also to purpose, promising to “deliver long-term sustainable performance” and to only work with clients who share their positive values. This principle ensures a strong partnership ethos and trust. Additionally, Loom has received accolades as a great place to work (reflecting good internal culture) and is known for very strong client retention, suggesting their clients value the results and service they receive.

 

Found

Overview: Found is a London-based digital marketing agency that has carved out a niche as the “Everysearch™ agency,” meaning they are masters of search and performance across all digital platforms. With over a decade in the industry, Found has grown into a multi-award-winning agency known for harnessing data, technology, and innovation to help clients grow online. The agency is part of the Tomorrow Group and has expanded internationally (with an office in New York), but retains an agile, test-and-learn mentality that suits both startups and enterprise clients.

 

Areas of Expertise: True to its moniker, Found’s heritage is in SEO and PPC – ensuring clients can be “found” easily by their target audience. Their services now span all key performance channels: Technical SEO, eCommerce SEO, international SEO, comprehensive PPC management, paid social, programmatic display, and even digital PR and content marketing to support organic growth. Found is also at the forefront of using data science and AI in marketing – they have dedicated teams for data & analytics, and even proprietary tools like Luminr (an AI & automation solution). This means clients benefit from advanced tactics like predictive modelling, automated bidding strategies, and granular analytics. In addition, Found offers strategic consulting (e.g. audits, market research, media planning) and conversion optimisation/creative services, making them a well-rounded partner for performance campaigns.

 

Client Portfolio: Found has a diverse client portfolio spanning multiple sectors including e-commerce, travel, hospitality, financial services, B2B, SaaS, and fintech. This cross-industry experience indicates their strategies are adaptable and data-driven rather than reliant on any one vertical. They have helped numerous startups scale up their customer acquisition, and also work with established brands on improving digital ROI. While specific client names are not listed here, Found’s case studies and press releases often mention successful projects for recognisable companies in retail and travel, among others. The broad sector expertise is a plus for clients who want an agency with a wide lens and many learned best practices.

 

Standout Qualities: Found stands out for its innovation and recognition in the industry. The agency has won multiple awards in recent years – for example, winning Best Use of Search (PPC) at the UK Search Awards 2024 and a Best Use of Google Media award at the Independent Agency Awards 2024. They’ve also been finalists in numerous categories at the UK Digital Excellence and Paid Media Awards in 2025. These accolades reflect Found’s excellence in campaign performance and also their strong company culture (they’ve been recognised for workplace transparency and team culture as well). Another key quality is Found’s emphasis on data and technology – by calling themselves a “data-driven, future-thinking” agency, they signal to clients that cutting-edge tools and techniques will be used to give them an edge. Found’s agility and breadth of service make it suitable for companies that want a forward-looking partner capable of handling everything from SEO technical fixes to big-picture growth strategy.

 

Key Performance Marketing Service Areas

A performance marketing agency typically offers a range of digital services aimed at driving and measuring results across channels. Here are the core service areas to look for:

 

  • Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: Strategic management of paid search campaigns (e.g. Google Ads, Bing Ads) to drive targeted traffic. PPC is highly measurable, allowing you to pay only when users click your ads, and is a staple for immediate lead/sales generation.

 

  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Improving your website’s organic search rankings to increase visibility on Google and other search engines. Strong SEO drives cost-effective traffic over the long term by targeting keywords relevant to your business.

 

  • Paid Social Media: Advertising on social platforms (like Facebook/Meta, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) to reach specific audiences. Paid social campaigns can raise awareness, drive engagement, and generate leads/sales with precise targeting and creative content.

 

  • Programmatic Advertising: Automated media buying across display, video, and other ad formats using real-time bidding and audience data. Programmatic campaigns can efficiently reach your most valuable audiences at scale across the web.

 

  • Data Analysis & Analytics: Robust data tracking and analysis underpin performance marketing. Agencies should offer strong analytics capabilities to measure campaign effectiveness, track conversion rates, and inform ongoing optimisation. This includes using tools for performance tracking and reporting on KPIs like CPA, ROI, click-through rates, and more.

 

  • Technology Solutions: Many top agencies provide technology-driven solutions – from marketing automation and AI-driven optimisation tools to proprietary analytics platforms. Leveraging the latest tech can improve targeting, streamline campaign management, and deliver deeper insights. For example, some agencies have in-house data dashboards or utilise AI to enhance campaign performance.

 

By ensuring an agency covers these key areas, you can be confident they have the capabilities to manage a holistic performance marketing strategy across channels.

 

Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating an Agency

When comparing performance marketing agencies, busy professionals should focus on a few critical factors to ensure the chosen partner will deliver results and mesh well with their business. Below are the key considerations:

 

  • Track Record and Experience: Look for an agency with a proven history of successful campaigns and happy clients in your industry. An agency’s past performance – evidenced by case studies and client testimonials – demonstrates its ability to deliver effective campaigns. A strong track record, especially in relevant sectors, indicates the team can tailor strategies to your unique needs. In short, experience matters – a seasoned agency is more likely to understand your audience and business challenges and hit the ground running.

 

  • Specialisation and Expertise: Consider the agency’s core areas of expertise. Some agencies are specialists in certain aspects of performance marketing (for example, experts in SEO or paid social), while others offer a broad suite of services. Ensure the firm is highly knowledgeable in the specific channels you need. An agency with deep expertise in the services that align with your goals will be better equipped to create and execute successful campaigns. For instance, if you primarily need programmatic advertising, an agency renowned for programmatic and data-driven media buying would be a strong choice over a generalist with only light experience in that area.

 

  • Transparency and Communication: Transparency is non-negotiable in a performance-focused partnership. The agency should provide open and honest communication about strategies, campaign status, and results. Expect clear, frequent updates on key performance indicators and candid discussions about what is working (or not). A trustworthy agency will employ a clear reporting system and be willing to share data and insights in real time. This level of transparency not only builds trust but also ensures that you as the client stay informed and can make strategic decisions together. In essence, you want an agency that acts like an extension of your team, rather than a black box.

 

  • Performance Tracking & Accountability: Hand-in-hand with transparency is rigorous performance tracking. Metrics and analytics are the backbone of performance marketing – look for agencies that are metrics-driven and accountable for results. The right agency will set clear KPIs (e.g. CPA, ROAS, conversion rate) and report on them regularly, providing comprehensive data on campaign performance. They should demonstrate strong data analysis capabilities, using tools and dashboards to measure effectiveness and optimise campaigns in real time. This commitment to data-driven optimisation means campaigns are continually refined to improve outcomes, and you can clearly see the ROI from the agency’s work.

 

  • Culture Fit and Values: The best agency partnerships feel like a natural extension of your own team. Culture fit is an often overlooked but important factor – alignment in work ethic, values, and communication style can determine the success of a long-term collaboration. Take time to gauge the agency’s company culture and ensure it aligns with yours. Do they value innovation, flexibility, and client success in the same way you do? An agency that “gets” your brand’s mission and has a similar approach to business will be more committed to your goals and easier to work with day-to-day. A quick way to assess this is by meeting the team who would service your account and seeing if there is good rapport and understanding.
  • Scalability and Technological Capabilities: Finally, consider the agency’s ability to scale and adapt with your needs. For a startup planning rapid growth or a CMO handling seasonal surges, it’s crucial that the agency has the resources and agility to scale campaigns without sacrificing performance. Top agencies often highlight their scalable resources – for example, having flexible teams or processes that can expand campaigns as your budget and business grow. Additionally, check their technological prowess: do they utilise the latest marketing tools, automation, and AI? Agencies with strong technological capabilities can leverage advanced analytics platforms and innovative techniques to boost campaign efficiency. An agency that invests in new technology (and knows how to use it) will help keep your marketing at the cutting edge and future-proof your strategy.

By carefully evaluating agencies against these factors – from proven expertise and transparency to cultural alignment and scalability – you can narrow down the field to a partner that will deliver both results and a productive working relationship.

 

Conclusion

Selecting the right performance marketing agency requires balancing a company’s immediate needs with its long-term vision. For CMOs of established companies and founders of startups alike, the stakes are high – the agency will be stewarding significant budgets with the mandate of delivering growth. By focusing on core service expertise (PPC, SEO, social, programmatic, data, tech) and evaluating agencies on the key factors outlined (track record, specialisation, transparency, metrics, culture fit, scalability), you can identify a partner who not only has the skills but also the values and working style that suit your business.

 

The UK agencies profiled above – from the transparency-driven Journey Further to the innovation-focused Found – each exemplify what a strong performance marketing agency should offer. They bring together multi-channel expertise, a commitment to data-driven results, and unique qualities that differentiate them. As you engage with potential agency partners, use this information as a guide: ask about their experience in your sector, request details on how they report and communicate, probe how they handle growing accounts, and gauge whether their company culture aligns with yours.

 

Ultimately, the best choice will be an agency that instils confidence, through both their proven results and the trusting relationship they build with you. With the right agency in place, you’ll have a performance marketing engine that can drive your business to new heights – scaling campaigns, optimising ROI, and ensuring every pound of your marketing budget works hard to deliver measurable success.

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