NAICS 541890 Quarterly Industry Report
Other Services Related to Advertising
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 541890Sector: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This Fair Market Value report for NAICS 541890 provides a detailed overview of the Other Services Related to Advertising industry. Data sources include the Census Bureau[5], Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Small Business Administration. Coverage includes establishment counts, employment figures, revenue data, and industry classification standards. Information supports business valuation, competitive analysis, and market assessment for advertising support service providers.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the other services related to advertising industry.
NAICS Sector
54
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Definition & Overview
Other Services Related to Advertising (NAICS 541890) encompasses establishments providing specialized advertising support services that fall outside the scope of traditional advertising agencies, public relations firms, and media buying services. This sector includes businesses engaged in promotional merchandise distribution, display and window dressing services, sign lettering and painting, merchandise demonstration, and other supplementary advertising functions. Firms in this classification support the broader advertising ecosystem by handling tangible promotional items, in-store marketing execution, and specialized distribution services.
Per Census Bureau[5] data, there are roughly 11,346 active establishments in this category with an estimated workforce of 101,474 employees. Many firms use digital tools and data analytics to improve promotional campaigns, while others focus on traditional in-store marketing execution and brand activation services. Per SBA standards[6], the size standard is $19 million(https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards) in average annual receipts for businesses classified in this industry.
Promotional merchandise segment represents a major portion of this industry, with companies distributing branded items such as keychains, magnets, pens, and other tangible marketing materials. These businesses work closely with marketing departments, brand managers, and advertising agencies to execute integrated campaigns that blend digital strategies with physical promotional touchpoints. Employment in the sector has remained stable, supported by ongoing demand for specialized advertising support services across varied business sectors.
What's Included in This Industry
- Promotional merchandise and advertising specialty distribution services
- Sign lettering, painting, and fabrication services for business signage
- Store window dressing, display design, and in-store merchandising
- Display lettering and storefront decoration services
- Merchandise demonstration and product sampling services
- Mannequin decorating and fashion display services
- Advertising specialties fulfillment and logistics services
- Point-of-purchase display services and retail marketing execution
- Trade show and exhibition display services
- Specialty advertising media distribution and placement
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 |
| Subsector | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541 |
| Industry Group | Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | 5418 |
| NAICS Industry | Other Services Related to Advertising | 54189 |
| National Industry | Other Services Related to Advertising | 541890 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541810 | Advertising Agencies | Advertising Agencies create advertising campaigns and provide creative services, media planning, and account management, while NAICS 541890 provides supplementary advertising support services. |
| 541820 | Public Relations Agencies | Public Relations Agencies specialize in designing and implementing PR campaigns and reputation management, while NAICS 541890 provides specialized promotional and display services. |
| 541830 | Media Buying Agencies | Media Buying Agencies purchase and resell advertising space from media outlets, while NAICS 541890 provides complementary services for physical promotional execution and merchandise distribution. |
| 541860 | Direct Mail Advertising | Direct Mail Advertising Services plan and execute mail-based advertising campaigns, while NAICS 541890 includes promotional merchandise distribution and non-traditional advertising support services. |
| 541430 | Graphic Design Services | Graphic Design Services create artwork and visual designs that complement advertising support services, with NAICS 541890 focusing on distribution and display of promotional materials. |
| 541870 | Advertising Material Distribution Services | Advertising Material Distribution Services handle physical delivery of advertising materials, sharing distribution logistics capabilities with establishments providing other advertising support services. |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 11.2% | 816 |
| 2 | Florida | 8.5% | 622 |
| 3 | Texas | 6.7% | 489 |
| 4 | New York | 6.2% | 451 |
| 5 | Illinois | 5.5% | 398 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 4.0% | 291 |
| 7 | Georgia | 3.4% | 249 |
| 8 | Michigan | 3.3% | 239 |
| 9 | Ohio | 3.1% | 230 |
| 10 | North Carolina | 3.1% | 230 |
% Of Establishments
0%
11%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
576
Total SBA Loans
$210.5M
Total Loan Volume
$365K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.54%
Average Interest Rate
5,264
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per SBA size standards[6], NAICS 541890 establishments must have average annual receipts of $19 million or less to qualify as small businesses. This threshold determines eligibility for federal contracting set-asides and other small business assistance programs administered by the SBA. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[7] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[8] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 112 | $47.1M | $421K |
| 2 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 48 | $35.8M | $746K |
| 3 | Citizens State Bank of New Castle | 16 | $27.6M | $1.7M |
| 4 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 40 | $12.8M | $320K |
| 5 | Live Oak Banking Company | 24 | $10.8M | $450K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the difference between NAICS 541890 and traditional advertising agencies?
NAICS 541890 covers specialized advertising support services such as promotional merchandise distribution and display services, while NAICS 541810[9] (Advertising Agencies) focuses on creating advertising campaigns, providing creative services, and media planning. These are separate classifications for distinct service types.
What is the SBA size standard for NAICS 541890?
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[6], the threshold for NAICS 541890 is $19 million in average annual receipts, which determines eligibility for small business programs and federal contracting opportunities.
What types of promotional merchandise fall under NAICS 541890?
Promotional merchandise includes branded items such as keychains, refrigerator magnets, pens, t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other tangible marketing materials distributed to customers or event attendees for brand awareness purposes.
How many establishments operate in this industry?
Per Census Bureau[5] data, there are roughly 11,346 active establishments in NAICS 541890, employing an estimated 101,474 workers across the United States in promotional and advertising support services.
What services are excluded from NAICS 541890?
NAICS 541890 specifically excludes advertising agency services, public relations agency services, media buying agency services, media representative services, display advertising services, direct mail advertising services, and marketing consulting services.
Are in-store merchandising and display services part of NAICS 541890?
Yes, in-store merchandising, display design, window dressing, and store decoration services are included. Per BLS industry data[10], these services help retailers and brands create visual presentations that drive customer engagement and sales.
What is the relationship between promotional merchandise and NAICS 541890?
Promotional merchandise distribution is a core activity within NAICS 541890. Businesses in this classification source, stock, and distribute branded promotional items to businesses, marketing agencies, and event organizers.
How does NAICS 541890 differ from direct mail advertising?
NAICS 541860 covers direct mail advertising services focused on designing and distributing mail-based advertising campaigns. NAICS 541890 covers a broader range of specialized advertising support services including in-person promotion, display services, and merchandise distribution beyond direct mail.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]SBA standards sba.gov
- [7]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [8]504 loans sba.gov
- [9]NAICS 541810 census.gov
- [10]BLS industry data bls.gov
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