New tech platforms. Changing consumer habits. Increased competition. Decreased marketing budgets. Brand-building isn’t easy.

But one thing that hasn’t changed is agencies’ quest to produce impactful work. To meet the new challenges, media, PR, creative and digital shops are being savvy about where they invest, building stronger strategic offerings, playing with new multi-disciplinary teams, and even broadening beyond their traditional remits.

Industry awards, which have evolved to cover the gamut of innovative marcom programs behind successful brands today, provide a benchmark of what’s working now. The agencies profiled here – The A List – have managed the market shift successfully. They’re all Creative Report Card toppers, major award show winners and Agency of the Year contenders.

All the best agencies have a strategy, so read on to see how each shop carved out their niches…