Vision Media

What Vision Media does

Vision Media is a US-based independent media buying agency founded in 2002 by Stephen Reed and headquartered in Mercer Island, Washington. The company self-describes as the largest independent media agency in the Pacific Northwest and operates a remote and hybrid work model with team members across multiple US locations. Its core service is agency-of-record (AOR) media planning and buying across both digital channels (programmatic, OTT/CTV, digital display, paid search, paid social, streaming audio) and traditional channels (linear TV, terrestrial radio, out-of-home, print), supported by an audience research practice and a real-time analytics and reporting function built on third-party platforms including The Trade Desk, Cadent, Comscore, Tableau, tapClicks, Innovid, and Vericast, plus audience data partners Claritas, Kantar, Nielsen, TransUnion, Telmar Helixa, and Placer.ai.

The company monetizes through a mix of project-based fees, monthly retainers, and percentage-of-spend commissions, with a typical 15% agency commission applying to certain traditional media. It sells through enterprise field sales and inside-sales motions, taking on clients as their media AOR — managing vendor negotiation, billing, reconciliation, insertion orders, trafficking, tracking, and reporting on their behalf. Customer segments span healthcare systems, credit unions and financial services, senior living, CPG/beverage, retail, hospitality, energy, and technology, with named clients including Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, Banner Health, Geisinger Health, Seattle Children's, Camping World, Anthony's Restaurants, TruStone Financial, and Clean Energy.

Vision Media's geographic footprint is domestic US with active market coverage in Washington, Georgia, Michigan, South Carolina, Texas, Arizona, and Minnesota, and national campaign reach. It is a founder/family-controlled private company with no disclosed outside funding and no parent company. Recognition includes consecutive Inc. 5000 listings (2024, 2025), AdWeek Fastest Growing 2025, PSBJ 100 (5x), BOWMA Media Agency Award (10-50M Sales tier), and AAF West "Best of the West Media Agency" in 2025.

Name

Vision Media

Legal name

Vision Media

Website

https://visionmediaus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Buying & Planning Services

NAICS

Media Buying Agencies (54183), Media Buying Agencies (541830), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Service Media Planning & Buying (MPAAABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Auditing & Contract Compliance (MPAAABAM), Media & Audience Measurement Analytics (BPAHALAO), Digital & Programmatic Media Buying (Display, Video, CTV, Audio) (BPAFABAB)

Keywords

• Media planning buying
• Programmatic advertising
• Connected TV advertising
• Audience research analytics
• Paid search social media

Headquarters

HQ city

Mercer Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Media Agency Fees: Fees charged for media planning and buying agency services. Multiple fee structures may apply including project-based fees, retainer fees, and commission fees based on a percentage of media spending depending on client needs and budget level. The company manages the full agency of record (AOR) relationship including vendor negotiations, billing, reconciliation, and reporting.
2. Commission-Based Media Buying: Standard commission fee based on a percentage of media spending and budget level. Depending on the type of media being purchased, this may be covered in the direct cost from the publisher or channel. Commission structures are typical in traditional media such as TV, radio, print and some OOH where a 15% agency commission structure applies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Vision Media is a full-service independent media buying agency offering media planning, buying, and execution across digital channels (programmatic, OTT/CTV, digital display, paid search, social media, streaming audio) and traditional channels (linear TV, radio, out-of-home, print). The agency operates as agency of record (AOR) for mid-size to enterprise brands, providing audience research, vendor negotiation, campaign execution, billing reconciliation, and real-time analytics and reporting. Services are tailored for marketers managing significant annual media budgets across verticals including healthcare, financial services, CPG, senior living, and hospitality.

Product overview

Vision Media operates as a full-service independent media buying agency offering a comprehensive suite of media planning and buying services. The core offering consists of three integrated service pillars: Audience Research (strategic insights and segmentation), Media Planning & Buying (multi-channel campaign execution), and Analytics & Reporting (real-time performance tracking). These services span both digital channels (Programmatic Advertising, OTT/CTV, Digital Display, Paid Search, Social Media, Streaming Audio) and traditional channels (Linear TV, Out-of-Home, Radio, Print). The company leverages AI-powered programmatic technology for automated ad buying, supported by analytics platforms including The Trade Desk, tapClicks, Cadent, Comscore, Tableau, and Innovid. Vision Media serves clients across healthcare, financial services, CPG, senior living, and hospitality industries with a focus on data-driven audience targeting and transparent reporting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Media Planning & Buying Services
• Audience Research
• Analytics & Reporting
• Programmatic Advertising
• OTT/CTV Advertising
• Digital Display Advertising
• Paid Search Advertising
• Social Media Advertising
• Streaming Audio Advertising
• Linear TV Advertising
• Out-of-Home (OOH) Advertising
• Print Advertising

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% growth in reach for healthcare campaigns due to media efficiencies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers27 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• ClaritascoreTechnology or IntegrationAudience research platform partner providing data for audience segmentation and media planning. Used to support custom audience research and targeting strategies for clients.
• KantarcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal market research and data analytics partner providing audience insights and competitive intelligence to inform media planning and buying strategies.
• NielsencoreTechnology or IntegrationAudience measurement and analytics partner providing TV ratings, digital measurement, and audience data to support media planning and campaign effectiveness measurement.
• TransUnioncoreTechnology or IntegrationData and analytics partner providing audience targeting data and insights for media planning campaigns.
• Telmar HelixacoreTechnology or IntegrationMedia planning and audience research platform partner providing data-driven insights for strategic media planning.
• Placer.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationLocation analytics and foot traffic data partner used to analyze venue and location-based data to inform out-of-home and local media planning.
• The Trade DeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationDemand-side platform (DSP) used for programmatic advertising buying. Enables automated, real-time bidding and audience targeting across digital inventory.
• tapClicksmajorTechnology or IntegrationMarketing analytics and reporting platform partner used to aggregate and visualize campaign performance data across multiple channels.
• CadentmajorTechnology or IntegrationAdvanced TV and cross-screen advertising platform partner providing CTV/OTT audience targeting and campaign management capabilities.
• ComscorecoreTechnology or IntegrationMedia measurement and analytics partner providing cross-platform audience measurement, campaign verification, and advertising effectiveness data.
• VericastmajorTechnology or IntegrationMarketing technology partner providing audience data, digital advertising solutions, and campaign analytics tools.
• TableaumajorTechnology or IntegrationData visualization platform used to create custom dashboards and reports for campaign performance analysis and client reporting.
• InnovidmajorTechnology or IntegrationIndependent ad server and measurement platform for CTV, video, and display advertising. Used for campaign tracking, verification, and performance measurement.
• Google PartnercoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Google Partner status providing access to Google advertising platforms including Search, Display, YouTube, and programmatic advertising tools.
• Meta Business PartnercoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Meta Business Partner providing access to Facebook, Instagram, and other Meta advertising platforms and tools.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Horizon Media: One of the largest independent media agencies in the US, offering media planning, buying, analytics, and content across all channels. Larger scale incumbent operating in the same AOR/media buying space with broader service portfolio.
• RPA (Rubin Postaer and Associates): Independent advertising agency with strong media planning and buying capabilities along with creative. Broader full-service incumbent operating at larger scale across similar verticals like automotive, healthcare, and consumer goods.

Direct peers

• Ansira: Independent marketing agency offering media planning, buying, and analytics services with particular strength in financial services and franchise/retail verticals. Comparable in specialized vertical expertise and AOR-style engagements.
• Goodway Group: Independent media buying agency with comparable programmatic, paid search, and analytics capabilities. Directly comparable as a mid-sized independent agency managing multi-channel AOR relationships for mid-market and enterprise clients.
• Empower Media Group: Independent full-service media agency offering media planning, buying, analytics, and performance media across digital and traditional channels. Comparable in size, independent ownership, and Midwest/Pacific regional roots serving national brands.
• Mediahub: Independent media agency under MullenLowe providing media planning and buying across digital and traditional channels. Comparable as a sister agency focused on data-driven media planning, programmatic, and analytics for mid-size and enterprise clients.
• Adtaxi (an AdHouse brand): Digital media agency specializing in programmatic, paid search, paid social, and CTV/OTT. Closely comparable on data-driven digital media buying orientation and deep technology partner relationships with The Trade Desk and similar platforms.
• Cramer-Krasselt: Independent full-service advertising agency with media planning and buying operations. Comparable independent ownership model, mid-market to enterprise client base, and integrated media offering.
• Rise (Quad): Programmatic media services arm of Quad providing media planning, buying, and analytics. Comparable in programmatic-first approach, use of The Trade Desk, and analytics-driven reporting, though backed by a larger parent company.
• Tinuiti: Independent digital marketing agency specializing in paid media, programmatic, and analytics across OTT/CTV, paid search, social, and Amazon. Comparable channel-agnostic media buying model with strong data and analytics orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@visionmediaus02
• Facebookfacebook.com/VisionMediaUS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vision-media-us
• Instagraminstagram.com/visionmediaus
• Xx.com/visionmediaus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vision Media