Canvas Worldwide

Canvas Worldwide: Overview

Canvas Worldwide is a modern independent media agency that has redefined how brands approach media investment. Launched in 2015 as a joint partnership between Innocean and Horizon Media, the agency opened with established automotive clients and has since evolved into the second-largest independent media agency in the United States.

In just 9 years, Canvas Worldwide has demonstrated rapid growth and industry recognition. The agency was named Adweek's Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year in 2020, recognized for its strong strategic moves, commitment to transparency, and diverse and inclusive hiring practices. Most recently, Canvas was honored as the U.S. Media Agency of the Year for 2025 and named to AdAge's Top 10 Best Places to Work in 2025.

What sets Canvas Worldwide apart is their approach to media—data-informed, tech-powered, creative, bold, and fully transparent. The agency positions itself as more than a collective of discipline experts, instead collaborating to solve broader business challenges beyond traditional media problems. They describe themselves as a "trusted advisor, culture tapper, worker of small miracles, data storyteller, technology alchemist, and brass-knuckles negotiator."

Canvas Worldwide operates with a philosophy of adaptation and innovation, focusing on delivering superlative business outcomes that create happy clients. The agency has grown from its automotive roots to serve brands of all sizes across multiple industries, building a reputation as a recognized powerhouse in the media landscape.

What Services Does Canvas Worldwide Provide?

Canvas Worldwide offers comprehensive, full-service media capabilities across strategic planning, investment, operations, and analytics:

Media Strategy

• Performance strategy
• Retail strategy
• Consumer insights
• Influencer marketing
• Creative optimization
• Holistic business consulting

Media Investment

• Branded content
• Biddable media
• Paid social
• Local markets
• Standalone out-of-home (OOH) and traffic
• Sports portfolio management
• Digital transformation

AdOps

• Automation
• Data infrastructure
• Dynamic creative serving
• Cookie deprecation
• Fraud prevention and brand safety

Analytics

• Data storytelling
• Predictive modeling
• Closed-loop attribution
• Marketing mix modeling (MMMs)
• Dashboards
• Data management infrastructure

Technology & Back-of-House

• Artificial intelligence-powered solutions
• Business development
• Marketing and PR
• Recruitment and retention
• Consolidated billing
• Legal (MSA/SOW management)
• Fee optimization

What Brands Has Canvas Worldwide Helped?

Canvas Worldwide serves a diverse roster of leading brands across multiple industries:

Automotive

• Hyundai
• Kia
• Genesis

Technology & E-commerce

• Amazon Studios
• Zillow

Entertainment

• STARZ
• Dolby

Food & Beverage

• McDonald's
• GT's Kombucha

Financial Services

• Edward Jones Investments

Notable Campaign Highlights:

• Zillow Containerized RTB Pilot: Helped Zillow pilot containerized real-time bidding, rethinking the equation of quality and cost
• Hyundai AI-Driven Search Optimization: Optimized Hyundai's search strategy from keyword-based to dialogue-driven approaches for AI search
• Best Overall Use of Programmatic: Won at the AdExchanger Awards in 2025 for programmatic excellence

Key Differentiators

• Rapid Growth: Evolved from challenger to the second-largest independent media agency in the U.S. in under 10 years
• Dual-Headquarters Model: Strategic presence in both Los Angeles and New York with nationwide reach
• Full Transparency: Committed to transparent media practices and client partnerships
• Data-Informed Approach: Combines data storytelling, predictive modeling, and AI-powered solutions
• Tech-Powered Innovation: Strong focus on technology, automation, and digital transformation
• Award-Winning Culture: Recognized as AdAge Top 10 Best Places to Work 2025 and Adweek's Breakthrough Media Agency of the Year
• Industry Recognition: Named U.S. Media Agency of the Year for 2025

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