Bigmouthmedia has come top of the new media ageMarketing Services Guide search rankings for the first time this year

The Edinburgh-based business posted close to £13.5m in UK income from search in the 12 months to June 2008, taking it to the top of the table. The agency was closely followed by search agency Latitude with UK income from search of £10.43m.

The results reveal how the UK’s largest search agencies are building solid businesses despite Google withdrawing agency remuneration.

Bigmouthmedia had a strong year, retaining its pay-per-click and search optimisation accounts with British Airways, as well as expanding its online PR service. It also poached the natural search account for Sky’s online sales and marketing from Diffiniti (nma 9 April) as the media company looks to integrate its paid and natural search work.

Lyndsay Menzies, MD of Bigmouthmedia, said, “We have a few new revenue streams which have definitely helped our performance, even with the removal of Best Practice Funding.” The agency has branched into online PR and reputation management.

In other categories, Media Initiatives Group topped the ad networks rankings with turnover of £22.9m, while Affiliate Window led the affiliate networks table with turnover of £29.36m. TMN Group topped the email table, while Sponge pipped Mobile Interactive Group to lead the mobile league table.

TradeDoubler was unable to disclose the financial information needed to place it on the affiliate networks table because of reporting restrictions by its Swedish owners.

This also meant The Search Works, which was top of the search table last year, was unable to be placed despite its £88.8m turnover.

The search ranking was based on income rather than turnover to bring the fourth edition of the MSG into line with the new media ageTop 100 Interactive Agencies Guide and level the playing field between paid and natural search specialists.