Midwest Agencies Someoddpilot and Broadhead Take Top Honors at Ad Age’s 18th Annual Small Agency Awards

Ad Age has announced the winners of its 18th annual Small Agency Awards, recognizing the most effective and creative independent shops with 150 or fewer employees. At a ceremony held at the Hudson Loft in Los Angeles, the Midwest region emerged as a powerhouse of innovation, with Chicago’s Someoddpilot taking home the Gold for Small Agency of the Year, Midwest, and Minneapolis-based Broadhead securing the Silver.

The awards highlight independent agencies that deliver high-impact creative work and strong business results without the resources of major holding companies.

Midwest Winners Lead with Reinvention and Growth
Someoddpilot, a nine-person shop with roots as a record label, was awarded the Midwest Gold for its unique cultural approach and impressive financial trajectory. The agency reported 20% revenue growth in 2025 and is projecting a 40% increase for 2026, driven by “hit-making” campaigns for brands like Toad&Co.

Taking the Midwest Silver, Broadhead was recognized for a year of transformative “reinvention done the hard way.” The Minneapolis agency drew acclaim for its “Sublemonal” campaign for Sunkist, which humorously engaged consumers with a faux conspiracy theory, as well as its strategic early adoption of AI and acquisition-based growth.

National and International Excellence
Beyond the Midwest, Ad Age honored standout agencies across every major region, showcasing the diversity of talent in the independent sector:

• Northeast: Gus (New York) won Gold, while nice&frank (New York) took Silver.
• West: Party Land (Los Angeles) secured Gold, with Raindrop (San Diego) earning Silver.
• Southeast: FerebeeLane (Greenville, SC) took Gold, followed by Cornett (Lexington, KY) with Silver.
• Southwest: Strategy Collective (Boise, ID) won Gold, and The Heist Agency (Austin, TX) took Silver.
• Northwest: Copacino Fujikado (Seattle) won Gold, with Paper Crane Factory (Portland) taking Silver.

On the global stage, Toronto-based No Fixed Address repeated its success by winning Gold for International Small Agency of the Year, with Hard Work Club (Ontario) taking the Silver.

Celebrating Innovation and Newcomers
The night also spotlighted emerging talent and specific disciplines. Another Thing was named Newcomer Agency of the Year (Gold), celebrated for its flexible model and work with clients like Mike’s Hot Honey. In the campaign categories, DCX Growth Accelerator won Gold for Campaign of the Year (Best Use of AI) for its “D.O.P.E. Department of Pentagon Excess” initiative.

“The purpose of the Ad Age Small Agency Awards is to recognize agencies doing striking work despite having fewer employees and resources than sprawling shops,” said Ad Age in a statement. This year’s winners prove that agility and a distinct point of view continue to drive the industry forward.

For a complete list of winners and more details on the 2026 Small Agency Conference & Awards, visit AdAge.com.

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