Top Retail Media Network Agencies Driving Ad Performance

$60+ billion in annual spend flows through retail media network platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, and many more. Seven agencies stand out as leaders in this space, each bringing unique capabilities to help brands navigate the complex world of retail media networks (RMNs) while leveraging advanced technology partners like RMIQ to amplify their success.

These specialized agencies have evolved beyond traditional digital marketing to become sophisticated retail media orchestrators, managing everything from product uploads and campaign optimization to advanced analytics and cross-platform attribution. Their expertise spans the critical functions that determine success in today’s retail media ecosystem: automated bidding, dayparting strategies, Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) integration, demand-side platform (DSP) management, and the intricate dance of optimizing return on ad spend (ROAS) across multiple retail touchpoints.

Retail media now represents the fastest-growing digital advertising segment, with platforms like Amazon generating over $40 billion in ad revenue annually. Brands that master retail media through expert agency partnerships are seeing 3-5x ROAS improvements and capturing significant market share from competitors who haven’t adapted to this channel-specific approach.

What Agencies Do on Retail Media Networks

Retail media network agencies serve as specialized orchestrators in the complex ecosystem where commerce and advertising converge. Unlike traditional digital agencies that focus on driving traffic to websites, RMN agencies optimize for conversions that happen directly within retail environments – whether that’s an Amazon product page, a Walmart Connect placement, or an Instacart sponsored listing.

These agencies manage the full spectrum of retail media operations, starting with product catalog optimization and upload management across platforms that each have unique requirements and best practices. They ensure products are properly categorized, have optimized content, and are positioned for maximum discoverability within each retailer’s search algorithms.

The advertising management component involves sophisticated campaign orchestration across sponsored search, display, video, and connected TV formats within retail environments. Agencies deploy advanced automation rules, manage complex bidding strategies, implement strategic dayparting, and coordinate campaigns across multiple retail touchpoints while maintaining consistent brand messaging and performance targets.

Data integration and analytics represent another crucial function, where agencies unify performance metrics across fragmented retail media platforms, each with different attribution windows and measurement standards. They leverage tools like Amazon Marketing Cloud (AMC) for deep customer journey analysis and activate demand-side platforms (DSPs) for programmatic advertising that extends beyond individual retailer walls.

Perhaps most critically, these agencies serve as managed services and strategic advisors who understand the unique dynamics of retail media – from inventory management and seasonal fluctuations to the interplay between organic product performance and paid advertising effectiveness. They know the tools in the market and have deployment, as well as creative, experience running ad campaigns. They bridge the gap between traditional marketing objectives and the complex realities of retail media execution.

DIGITS: Target Specialist with Regional Innovation

DIGITS Agency stands out for its deep Target/Roundel specialization and innovative approach to regional retail media network development. Founded in 2016 by Dave Glaza, who brings insider knowledge from nine years at Target including the launch of the revolutionary Cartwheel app, DIGITS has positioned itself as a bridge between brands and emerging retail media opportunities.

Product management capabilities at DIGITS focus heavily on digital shelf optimization, with comprehensive content audits and organic search optimization within retail platforms. Their approach emphasizes quality over quantity, conducting thorough item data audits to enhance searchability across their managed networks.

Their advertising execution spans both on-site placements (search, sponsored, display) and off-site campaigns through social and programmatic channels. The agency demonstrates particular strength in dynamic multi-retailer creative that reduces clicks to purchase, with documented case studies showing 1.0x to 2.4x ROI achievements and 8x ROAS in alcohol retail media partnerships.

Automation and optimization are handled through proprietary analytics engines combined with automated budget pacing and rule-based bid management. Their reporting includes campaign lift analysis with pre/post sales measurement and market share monitoring that provides competitive intelligence.

DIGITS differentiates itself through marketplace coverage innovation, managing not just major platforms like Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger, but pioneering the first-ever independent convenience store RMN launching in April 2025 across 1,000+ stores and 25+ banners in 20+ states. Their partnership with PubMatic brings advanced programmatic capabilities to regional grocers through the Convert platform.

Managed services range from complete strategy development to specialized offerings like Target Circle/BYBE management and their unique “Cheers Network” for adult beverage industry retail media. Their lower minimums and micro geo-targeting capabilities make them particularly attractive for brands seeking comprehensive retail media execution without the typical agency overhead.

Harvest Group: Enterprise Scale with Proprietary Technology

Harvest Group represents the enterprise end of retail media management, with over 350 employees across multiple locations and 18+ years of retail expertise. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Rogers, Arkansas, they’ve built a comprehensive commerce platform that uniquely positions them to analyze total ROI across in-store, digital, and media channels.

Their product management approach emphasizes retail readiness through proper assortment and content optimization tailored for each retailer. The Lantern technology platform provides smooth client approval workflows for content publishing, while their teams create SEO-optimized copy, A+ Content, carousel images, and video content with strategic A/B testing capabilities.

Campaign management spans 40+ retail media networks with a distinctive “hands-on-keyboard” approach where advertising managers actively test, measure, and adjust tactics daily. Their philosophy explicitly rejects “set and forget” automation, instead leveraging proprietary ad-tech designed by ad managers for ad managers to scale expertise rather than replace human oversight.

Harvest Group’s ROAS optimization transcends traditional metrics through their “Beyond ROAS” philosophy, connecting retail media performance to broader business goals through omnichannel ROI analysis. Their unique positioning allows them to integrate advertising performance with in-store distribution and buyer relationships for comprehensive optimization.

Advanced platform support includes Amazon Advertising Advanced Partner status and AMC Services Provider certification. Their DUDE Wipes case study demonstrates AMC’s power, achieving 53% sales increase and 209% new-to-brand acquisition increase. DSP capabilities span Amazon DSP and The Trade Desk partnerships for programmatic advertising across audio, display, video, and OTT formats.

The Ember analytics platform provides customizable dashboards integrating consumer data, eCommerce data, industry panels, and POS data with human oversight behind every report. Their top-tier API partnerships make them one of only two managed service providers with API connections to all top 5 RMNs, enabling unified reporting and optimization.

Managed services include dedicated account teams with low client-to-resource ratios, integrated commerce teams combining sales and media expertise, and their Market Strategy & Insights (MSI) team providing strategic business analysis. Recent acquisitions like Bold Strategies have expanded creative services and increased managed media spend by 20%.

Tinuiti: Tech with Measurement Innovation

Tinuiti commands the largest independent performance marketing operation in the United States, managing $4 billion in digital media with over 1,000 employees. Formed through strategic acquisitions including CPC Strategy (Amazon specialist), Bliss Point Media (streaming), and Ortega Group (Amazon operations), they’ve built a comprehensive retail media powerhouse.

The Bliss Point measurement suite launched in 2024 represents their technological crown jewel, featuring rapid Media Mix Modeling (rMMM), always-on incrementality testing, brand equity tracking, creative insights, and forecasting capabilities built on causal inference and machine learning principles. This platform integrates 70+ sources and 60+ APIs for unprecedented measurement sophistication.

Marketplace coverage includes 50+ retail media network partnerships with advanced status across major platforms: Amazon Advanced Partner, Walmart Connect Premium+ Partner, Instacart API Partner (one of only 10), and Microsoft Advertising Network Premier Launch Partner for retail.

Their campaign optimization employs the sophisticated WISE methodology for ROAS targeting: Winners at 250% ROAS, growth products at 300%, cost-heavy products at higher targets, with balanced approaches for everything else. AI-powered Portfolio Optimization through Skai partnership enables automated bid and budget adjustments with always-on incrementality testing.

Automation capabilities include smart bidding integration, rule-based versus algorithmic bidding approaches, automated budget pacing, and performance-triggered adjustments. Their exclusive Instacart dayparting access (limited to 10 API partners) enables sophisticated 24-hour block scheduling and holiday-specific campaign timing.

Amazon Marketing Cloud expertise runs deep, with 3+ years in AMC alpha/beta programs and 2024 AMC Services & Software Provider designation. Proven results include Blueair’s 68% reduction in new-to-brand acquisition costs and The Honest Company’s 172% ROAS improvement. DSP capabilities span programmatic display, video, first-party data activation, and competitor targeting across Amazon-owned properties.

The Tableau-powered analytics engine processes data from 100+ sources with automated reporting workflows and AWS-hosted data lake architecture. Their managed services combine dedicated account managers, channel specialists, data scientists, creative teams, and strategic planners for comprehensive retail media execution.

Vendo Commerce: Full-Service Digital Growth Platform

Vendo Commerce brings 25+ years of combined retail experience and $25+ billion in sales driven across 100+ brand partners and 10 international markets. As part of the PLTFRM group and founded in 2017, they’ve established themselves as experts in marketplace management and retail media optimization.

Product management spans comprehensive marketplace setup, catalog optimization, inventory forecasting, cross-marketplace synchronization, brand storefront creation, and A+ Premium Content development. Their 360° marketplace coverage ensures consistent brand presence across all major retail touchpoints.

Advertising capabilities cover the full spectrum from Amazon Sponsored Products and DSP to Walmart Connect, Target Roundel partnerships, and programmatic advertising through self-serve seats on Amazon DSP, The Trade Desk, Walmart DSP, Tatari, and Basis. Their connected TV and social media integration (Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit) creates comprehensive full-funnel campaigns.

ROAS optimization employs advanced bid management, keyword research and trend scraping, search term analysis, campaign structure optimization from auto to manual, and cross-channel attribution analysis. Client case studies demonstrate 37% day-over-day sales increases and 5-11% weekly purchase order increases.

The Vendo Velocity platform provides custom analytics dashboards with real-time data, multi-marketplace integration, advanced analytics with week-over-week and year-over-year comparisons, item-level insights, and complete profitability analysis. Their automation includes real-time budget modifications, dynamic targeting changes, and automated standard reporting.

Amazon Marketing Cloud support features full AMC access with custom SQL query development, AI-driven audience creation across 20+ unique customer behaviors, cross-media insights, customer journey analysis, and audience activation via Amazon DSP. Recent 2025 developments include AI Query Generator utilization and enhanced audience precision targeting.

Managed services encompass 360° digital marketplace management, hands-on media buying, brand protection, customer service, content creation, account health management, influencer and affiliate programs, email and SMS marketing, user-generated content, and experiential marketing campaigns.

Adspace Agency: Traditional Digital Focus

Adspace Agency, while a legit performance management digital marketing agency with strong e-commerce experience, runs traditional digital advertising channels rather than marketplace-specific advertising management, incl. RMNs.

Founded in 2020 by Dan Ben-Nun in Austin, Texas, Adspace positions itself as “The #1 Performance Marketing Agency” with claims of $250+ million in total ad revenue generated and $50+ million specifically from Facebook advertising. However, comprehensive research reveals no evidence of Amazon, Walmart, Target, or other RMN capabilities.

Core services focus on Facebook/Meta ads (their primary specialty), Google Ads, TikTok advertising, Connected TV with geofencing, YouTube ads, Pinterest ads, LinkedIn ads, email marketing, and influencer marketing. Additional offerings include website development, branding, content marketing, and SEO optimization.

Their performance claims include 95% client success rate and strong Trustpilot reviews (4.6/5 stars), but these relate to traditional digital advertising rather than retail media network management. The agency serves e-commerce brands but without the marketplace-specific expertise required for effective RMN campaign management.

For brands specifically seeking retail media network capabilities, Adspace would not be an appropriate choice, as their expertise lies in traditional digital advertising channels. The retail media landscape requires specialized knowledge of platform-specific algorithms, marketplace dynamics, and retail-centric optimization strategies that differ significantly from traditional digital marketing.

Elite Commerce: Military Precision Meets Retail Media

Elite Commerce Group combines military operational excellence with cutting-edge retail media technology through founder Eric Martindale’s background as a former Marine Major with combat experience. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, they’ve generated over $500 million in retail sales for clients while maintaining Inc. 5000 recognition for fast growth.

Their proprietary Summit™ platform employs a hybrid human-machine management approach with TACoS-driven optimization (Total Advertising Cost of Sales) that focuses on total profitability rather than just ROAS. The system makes 50+ bid changes per day through automation while maintaining human oversight for strategic decisions.

Product management includes full-service catalog management across 200+ digital marketplaces, product listing optimization, SEO-driven content creation, product photography, and multi-marketplace synchronization. Their comprehensive approach ensures products are optimized for discoverability across their vast network coverage.

Campaign management leverages their fast-growth software system for competitive analysis combined with automated bid adjustments throughout the day, inventory management automation, and ASIN-level profitability reporting delivered monthly for data-driven decision making.

Marketplace coverage spans primary platforms including Amazon (US, Canada, International), Walmart Connect, TikTok Shop, and Instacart, plus 28+ additional marketplaces including Shopify, Etsy, Newegg, Home Depot, Target, Best Buy, and access to 200+ total digital marketplaces. Their retail media network guide shows coverage of major RMNs including Kroger 8451, Target Roundel, CVS Media X, and many others.

Advanced capabilities include Amazon DSP campaign management, programmatic advertising, cross-platform audience targeting, display and video advertising management, and advanced audience segmentation through retail media network integrations.

Their state-of-the-art fulfillment center provides in-house processing, FBA/FBW prep services, D2C order fulfillment, freight services, and merchant fulfillment solutions. This operational capability distinguishes them from agencies that only handle advertising without understanding the fulfillment complexities that impact retail media performance.

Managed services range from complete multi-service solutions with 30-day no-questions-asked opt-out policies to their unique Preferred 3rd Party Seller model where Elite Commerce handles the entire buy-and-sell process while maintaining brand control. Their 99% effectiveness rate in account suspension resolution demonstrates their deep platform expertise.

Gawronski Media: Boutique CPG Specialization

Gawronski Media represents the boutique end of retail media expertise with exclusive focus on CPG and Food & Beverage brands. Founded in March 2018 by Kevin Gawronski in Madison, Wisconsin, the agency deliberately maintains a small team where clients speak directly to people doing the work, avoiding the bloated structures of traditional agencies.

Founder Kevin Gawronski brings 15+ years of digital marketing experience with previous work on major brands including Gatorade, PetSmart, Porsche, AutoZone, and Cracker Barrel. His philosophy of breaking the stigma of paid media agencies being “too complex, slow, and expensive” drives their lean, performance-focused approach.

Product management includes full listing optimization for Instacart and Amazon, brand store setup, UPC integration ensuring ads only show where products are actually available in stores, listing optimization with clean imagery and proper categorization across multiple platforms.

Campaign management covers Instacart, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Albertson’s, plus paid social (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok), Google Ads, and online grocery platforms (Quotient, Criteo, 8451). Their approach emphasizes manual campaigns with 5-10 most relevant keywords for testing and competitor targeting strategies.

ROAS optimization follows a structured progression: first month targeting 1.0 ROAS during setup and testing, second month targeting 2-3 ROAS, with Amazon-specific campaigns achieving ROAS of 3 in the first month, scaling to 5-7 in months 2-3. Every decision is backed by performance metrics rather than gut feelings.

Automation and monitoring include daily account reviews by media buyers (explicitly not “set and forget”), automated budget controls and caps, algorithm optimization for bidding, and performance triggers for automated adjustments. Their emphasis on “real-time optimization” enables instant adaptation to performance data.

Track record includes published case studies from major platforms: TopFox Snacks achieved 3x overall account sales growth through Instacart campaigns (November 2023), Mr. Bing Chili Crisp substantial Amazon growth through competitor targeting, and Vermont Wagyu featured in Google Case Studies for successful B2B to B2C pivot.

Their pricing philosophy avoids percentage-of-spend models to prevent conflicting motives, often running at discounted rates during initial setup and testing phases. The agency maintains complete transparency with weekly detailed reporting showing exactly where budgets go and performance results achieved.

How RMIQ Partners with Agencies

RMIQ amplifies agency capabilities across retail media networks. Their multi-agent AI architecture processes 100x more data in seconds than human teams can analyze, enabling agencies to deliver superior results while reducing operational overhead.

White-label solutions allow agencies to rebrand RMIQ’s platform with custom logos, colors, and interface elements, creating seamless integration that requires no additional work from the agency side. This approach enables agencies to offer sophisticated retail media management through a single unified dashboard that covers 60+ retail media networks including Amazon, Walmart Connect, Target, Instacart, Kroger, CVS, and emerging platforms.

The API integration model provides direct connectivity with existing agency tech stacks, supporting data export through CSV files and S3 bucket integration for comprehensive analysis. Agencies can maintain their existing client relationships and reporting structures while leveraging RMIQ’s autonomous AI agents that operate 24/7 to optimize campaigns in real-time.

Managed services integration allows agencies to choose their preferred level of involvement, from full self-service platform access with AI-powered recommendations to complete hands-off campaign management. The hybrid approach combines automated AI optimization with human oversight, enabling agencies to maintain strategic control while benefiting from machine-speed execution.

Partnership benefits include performance-based pricing with a 10% revenue share model, risk-free first month trials with no upfront fees, and volume discounts for agencies managing 10+ clients. This structure aligns RMIQ’s success with agency results, creating a true partnership rather than a vendor relationship.

The platform’s cross-network standardization solves one of retail media’s biggest challenges by normalizing ROAS metrics across different platforms that use varying attribution windows and calculation methods. This enables agencies to provide consistent reporting and optimization strategies across Amazon (which includes “halo effects”), Instacart (focused on direct attribution), and other networks with different measurement standards.

Training and support include comprehensive onboarding programs, ongoing education on platform features, and dedicated account management. Agencies gain access to RMIQ’s cross-network learning capabilities, where algorithms learn patterns across networks, categories, and seasons to compound performance improvements for all clients.

How RMIQ Powers Agencies’ ROAS

RMIQ’s impact on agency ROAS performance stems from their sophisticated multi-agent AI system that operates at machine speed across multiple dimensions simultaneously. While human teams can analyze and optimize one campaign at a time, RMIQ’s autonomous agents process thousands of optimization decisions across entire portfolios in real-time, delivering 3x higher ROAS compared to manual management.

Dynamic bidding optimization adjusts bids instantly based on performance data, seasonal patterns, competitive landscape changes, and cross-network learnings. The AI system eliminates 50% of wasted ad spend through intelligent optimization that human teams simply cannot match in speed and scale. This translates to immediate ROAS improvements for agency clients without requiring larger budget investments.

Budget allocation on autopilot automatically distributes spend across retail media networks for maximum impact, shifting budgets from underperforming channels to high-ROI opportunities in real-time. This 100x faster insight generation enables agencies to capitalize on performance trends before competitors can react, creating sustainable competitive advantages.

Cross-network learning represents RMIQ’s most powerful ROAS enhancement capability. The platform’s algorithms learn patterns across networks, categories, and seasons, applying insights from Amazon campaigns to improve Walmart performance, leveraging Instacart data to optimize Target campaigns, and identifying seasonal patterns that compound across all retail touchpoints. This network effect means performance improvements compound over time rather than plateau.

Audience targeting evolution uses AI to detect audience shifts and optimize segments in real-time, ensuring campaigns always target the most profitable customer segments. The system’s ability to process 100x more data than human teams enables identification of micro-trends and optimization opportunities that would be impossible to discover through traditional analysis.

Automated A/B testing runs continuously across creatives, placements, targeting parameters, and bidding strategies, with the AI system learning from thousands of tests simultaneously to identify winning combinations. This systematic approach to optimization ensures 50%+ ROAS lifts through data-driven improvements rather than intuition-based adjustments.

The platform’s attribution modeling handles varying attribution windows across platforms (1-day click, 7-day click, 14-day view-through), providing agencies with standardized performance metrics that enable accurate ROAS comparisons and optimization decisions. This consistency enables strategic budget allocation based on true performance rather than platform-specific reporting discrepancies.

Predictive analytics enable proactive adjustments before performance issues arise, with the AI system spotting inefficiencies and predicting performance trends to make preemptive optimizations. This forward-looking approach prevents ROAS degradation rather than simply reacting to performance declines.

Retail media demands specialized expertise that goes far beyond traditional digital advertising capabilities, due to the complexity of the systems run by traditional retail corporations. The agencies profiled above represent different approaches to retail media ads, from specialization and regional innovation to enterprise-scale tech leadership, comprehensive commerce integration, and boutique CPG focus.

The common thread among successful retail media agencies is their recognition that platform-specific expertise, advanced automation, and sophisticated measurement are essential for navigating the complex attribution models, inventory dynamics, and algorithmic requirements of each retail media network. Whether managing Amazon’s AMC integration, Walmart’s DSP capabilities, or Target’s Roundel optimization, agencies must combine deep platform knowledge with cutting-edge technology to deliver consistent ROAS improvements.

RMIQ’s role as the technology backbone enables these agencies to operate at machine speed while maintaining human strategic oversight. The platform’s ability to unify 60+ retail media networks under a single optimization engine, combined with AI agents that process 100x more data than human teams, creates the foundation for 3x ROAS improvements and 50% waste reduction that agencies require to remain competitive.

The future belongs to agencies that embrace this technology-powered approach to retail media, leveraging platforms like RMIQ to deliver results that would be impossible through manual optimization alone. As retail media continues its explosive growth trajectory, the partnership between specialized agencies and advanced technology platforms will determine which brands capture market share and which get left behind in the rapidly evolving landscape of commerce-driven advertising.