Two Good Agencies.
Different in the Right Ways.
McKay Advertising + Activation is a Tampa-based digital and traditional advertising agency that has operated since 2005. As a Google Premier Partner, they offer PPC, digital advertising, SEO, social media, and traditional media channels (TV, radio) for Tampa Bay businesses.
This comparison exists to help you decide. We'll tell you what they do well, where we differ, and which option is likely the better fit for your situation. We'd rather you make the right choice — even if that's not us.
What They Offer
Google Premier Partner with 20 years in Tampa
McKay has operated in the Tampa market since 2005 and holds Google Premier Partner status — a certification that reflects managed ad spend volume and performance. For Tampa businesses where Google Ads are a primary growth channel, that tenure and certification is a practical credential.
Traditional media alongside digital
McKay manages both traditional channels (TV, radio) and digital advertising. For Tampa businesses that want both managed from one place, that integration avoids having separate agency relationships for each.
Where Sidestreet Is Different
In-house video production and photography
McKay focuses on digital and traditional advertising management. Sidestreet adds broadcast-trained video production, commercial photography, and drone aerial — in-house, not outsourced to a production vendor.
PR and crisis communications
McKay handles paid media — digital and traditional. Sidestreet operates a dedicated PR and earned media practice alongside paid. For businesses that want both earned and paid working from the same strategy, that's a different scope.
Church media specialization
Sidestreet operates a church media practice. McKay serves general commercial clients without a faith sector specialization.
Broadcast journalism background in content strategy
McKay's background is advertising management. Sidestreet's team comes from broadcast journalism — which produces different instincts about message design, earned media, and content that builds credibility rather than just media that buys reach.
How to Decide
McKay Advertising + Activation is probably the right choice if: you're a Tampa Bay business that primarily needs managed digital advertising (PPC, social) with traditional media integration from a Google Premier Partner with local market history.
Sidestreet is probably the right choice if: you need in-house production alongside advertising, want PR/crisis communications, serve a faith community, or want broadcast journalism-informed content strategy.
If you're genuinely unsure, talk to both of us before committing. Any agency worth working with will give you a straight answer about whether they're the right fit — and so will we.
How This Comparison Was Built
Everything on this page about McKay Advertising + Activation comes from their own published website and public materials — not speculation, not secondhand reviews. We describe their strengths in the terms they use themselves, and where we weren't certain about a capability, we said so. Sidestreet's senior team reviews this page and re-verifies it when either agency's offerings change.
Last verified: August 13, 2026. If you represent McKay Advertising + Activation and something here is out of date, email workwithus@hellosidestreet.com and we'll correct it.
400%+
E-commerce revenue growth for a manufacturer after a full-site rebuild and integrated digital campaign
0
Contract clients who stayed 1+ year and had a negative ROI — zero, ever
AI
Claude and in-house models integrated across campaign strategy, SEO analysis, and content — with senior editorial judgment on every output
75/25
Vote margin in a competitive county sheriff race — our digital campaign delivered a decisive win called before 7pm on election night
Still Deciding? Let's Have
An Honest Conversation
We'll tell you directly whether Sidestreet is the right fit for your situation — and if we're not, we'll say so. No pressure, no pitch. Just a real conversation about what you need.
Start the conversationMcKay Advertising + Activation vs. Sidestreet — Questions Answered
Can't find the answer you're looking for? Get in touch
McKay is a Tampa digital and traditional advertising agency with Google Premier Partner status. Sidestreet adds in-house broadcast production, PR/crisis communications, and church media to a comparable advertising and digital foundation.
McKay focuses on paid digital and traditional advertising management. In-house video production and commercial photography are not their primary service.
Yes. Our digital marketing, web, and communications services are remote-capable for Tampa clients. For production, we travel throughout Florida and the Southeast.
Yes — McKay handles both digital advertising and traditional media channels including TV and radio alongside their digital work.
No. Sidestreet focuses on digital marketing, web, production, and communications. Traditional media buying — TV, radio, print — is outside our scope. If traditional media is central to your strategy, McKay covers that combination in Tampa.