Advertising vs. Marketing Agencies in Buffalo: What’s the Difference?
If you’re a Buffalo business owner, you’ve probably come across both advertising agencies and marketing agencies in your search for help. The problem? Many people use the terms interchangeably - even though they’re not the same thing.
Advertising agencies focus on promoting your business through campaigns and paid placements. Marketing agencies take a broader approach, building strategy, content, and long-term growth plans around those ads.
In this guide, we break down the differences, show where the lines blur in 2025, and explain why a full-service marketing agency like 723 Marketing might be the right fit for your Buffalo business.
What Advertising Agencies Typically Do
Advertising agencies primarily focus on:
Ad Creative: Designing visuals, copy, and videos for campaigns.
Media Buying: Placing ads on TV, radio, billboards, or digital platforms.
Brand Campaigns: Creating large-scale campaigns designed for mass awareness.
Think of them as specialists in promotion, often working on one campaign at a time.
What Marketing Agencies Handle
Marketing agencies look at the bigger picture. Services often include:
Strategy Development: Understanding your audience and setting measurable goals.
Content Marketing: Blogs, email, and social content that support campaigns.
SEO & Analytics: Driving organic traffic and tracking performance metrics.
Paid Ads & Retargeting: Integrated with broader marketing efforts for maximum ROI.
A marketing agency doesn’t just launch campaigns - it plans, manages, and measures them in context with your entire business strategy.
Where the Lines Blur in 2025
Digital marketing has made the distinction less clear. Many modern agencies - including some advertising firms - now handle everything from content to SEO to analytics.
But here’s the catch: without a strategy-first approach, ad campaigns can become isolated efforts with little long-term value.
Why a Full-Service Marketing Agency May Be Best
When one team handles everything - strategy, creative, ads, SEO, content - you get:
Consistent Branding: One voice across all channels.
Better ROI: Campaigns built around data and long-term goals.
Simplified Communication: One partner, one plan, fewer moving parts.
723 Marketing’s Approach
At 723 Marketing, we blend the creative expertise of an advertising agency with the strategy, analytics, and long-term vision of a marketing agency. From Buffalo-focused ad campaigns to SEO and content, we handle it all under one roof.
Conclusion & CTA
If you’re debating between hiring an advertising agency or a marketing agency in Buffalo, consider what you really need: campaigns or complete strategy? With 723 Marketing, you don’t have to choose - we do both.
Contact us today to see how we can help your Buffalo business grow through smart, integrated marketing solutions.
