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.