Big Communications technically may be a small agency, but there's nothing small about its quick growth or its force of personality. The Birmingham, Ala., shop has steadily grown to more than 40 people from 14, and to $10 million in revenue from $2 million in just over three years. And it touts a "pridefully Southern" identity.

"Whether born or baptized into this culture, we have become ardent ambassadors of our city, our state and our South," the shop told Ad Age.

That Southern pride is apparent in the shop's client base, including Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission, Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Brookwood Medical Center.

The firm also attributes much of its growth to diverse capabilities. "Managing PR, grassroots and social media helps us retain more of our clients' budgets," the agency said. "That consolidation has become an ever-increasing part of our revenue and a huge contributor to our growth."

The shop counts over 40 employees, among them six creatives, six developers, six PR practitioners, six account executives and six media buyers.

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