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NAICS 541830, industry

NAICS 541830: Media buying agencies

NAICS 541830 is the industry code for media buying agencies. Use it on loan applications, tax forms and registrations. Explore financing for professional services and start your application when you are ready.

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What 541830 covers

Media buying agencies purchase advertising time and space from media outlets on behalf of advertisers or agencies. They plan, negotiate and buy TV, radio, print, digital and out of home placements but do not create the ads.

Included in this code

  • Media planning and buying
  • Programmatic ad buying services
  • Broadcast time buying
  • Out of home media buying
  • Digital media buying

Not this code

Businesses that use 541830

Independent media buyerProgrammatic buying shopBroadcast buying agency

Financing for this trade

Media buyers carry large payables to outlets, so they rely on revolving lines of credit, receivables factoring on advertiser invoices and sometimes credit insurance. Lenders look at advertiser credit quality, sequential liability terms with media outlets and how concentrated billings are.

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Is 541830 the right code for a media buying agency?

Yes, if you buy advertising time and space for clients without creating the ads. Media planning shops, programmatic trading desks and broadcast buyers belong here. If you also create campaigns and creative, 541810 is the better fit. If you sell ad space on behalf of media outlets rather than buying it, use 541840.

What is the SBA size standard for 541830?

SBA sets the size standard for 541830 at $32.5 million in average annual receipts, averaged over the last five completed fiscal years and counting affiliates. Media buying agencies at or under that figure qualify as small businesses for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans and for federal small business set asides. Most independent media buying agencies fall well inside the limit, so size is rarely what decides an SBA application.

How do media buying agencies finance media spend?

The core tool is a revolving line of credit or factoring facility that pays outlets while advertisers pay on 30 to 60 day terms. Some add credit insurance on large advertisers. Lenders examine the credit of the advertisers, contract terms with outlets and the agency's margin on billings.

What does NAICS 541830 cover?

Media buying agencies. Industry level code in NAICS 2022, under 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services, 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services, 5418 Advertising, public relations, and related services, 54183 Media buying agencies.

What financing do NAICS 541830 businesses use?

Equipment financing, working capital, SBA loans and invoice factoring are the products placed most for professional services businesses. Start an application and the AI matches the deal to lenders that fund this code.

Where do I put NAICS 541830?

On the SBA loan application, on federal Schedule C or Form 1120, on SAM.gov and state registrations, and on most lender applications. A business can report more than one code; use this one if it describes what produces most of your revenue.