CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Advertising agencies in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area: 29 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 29CBP 2023
- Employees
- 272mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.2U.S. 4.6
- Rank
- 83rd of 351areas by count
Advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 29 establishments classified as Advertising Agencies (NAICS 541810) in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. They employed 272 people in mid-March and paid $21.5 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 83rd out of 351 areas with published figures for advertising agencies.
Measured against its 1.3 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 2.2 advertising agencies per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 4.6, so Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 52.5% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 9.4 employees, compared with 12.9 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $79,129, 25.9% below the national $106,841.
| Measure | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 29 | 203 | 15,512 |
| Mid-March employees | 272 | 2,138 | 200,465 |
| Annual payroll | $21,523,000 | $199,971,000 | $21,417,972,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.4 | 10.5 | 12.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $79,129 | $93,532 | $106,841 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.2 | 2.8 | 4.6 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
How big advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR are
Of the advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR that had employees in March 2023, 84.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 68.2%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 21 | 84.0% | 68.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 4 | 16.0% | 12.0% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 8.4% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 6.4% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 5.0% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls an advertising agency in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has to catch
Agencies manage many client relationships at once, and clients expect to reach their account team quickly. Recording and summarizing calls helps teams keep track of approvals and requests.
A few of the calls that come in to advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR:
- A production vendor calls about a shoot.
- A media rep calls about an ad placement.
- The agency calls a client to review creative.
Business texting for advertising agencies
Agencies text approvals and schedule changes.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs an advertising agency in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The average advertising agency in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 9.4 employees, so a 9-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $224.55 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $270.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $179.00 a month for 9 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,092 less than RingCentral for an advertising agency in Memphis, TN-MS-AR of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $179.00 | $2,148.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $171.00 | $2,052.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $207.00 | $2,484.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $224.55 | $2,694.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $243.00 | $2,916.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 901 has the most, with 606 of 709 exchanges (85%). A local number lets clients in Memphis, TN-MS-AR call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | 606 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 662 | 79 | Central | 1999 | 471 |
| 870 | 22 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
| 327 | 2 | Central | 2024 | 870 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What advertising agencies in Memphis, TN-MS-AR get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many advertising agencies are there in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 29 advertising agencies in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023. They employed 272 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 9-person advertising agency?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users cost $270.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $224.55 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $179.00.
What area code should an advertising agency in Memphis, TN-MS-AR use?
Area code 901 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 662 and 870. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for an advertising agency?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.