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Our process is fast,friendly, and simple
Leveraging our extensive database, collaborative technology, and personalized outreach strategies, our team is fully equipped to guide you through a successful transaction.
We like to representbuyers that have:
Clear Criteria
to optimize the quality of results
Funding
through cash on hand or available through financial partners
Successful Operations
of three years or longer
A High-Quality Team
contributing to a positive culture
Dedicated Time
to commit to conversations
Open-Minded Approach
to explore every opportunity
Unique Advantages
for founders joining your team
An Integration Plan
for a smooth, exciting transition
Our team becomes an extension of your company
Your dedicated team of acquisition managers will operate as an extension of your company. They cultivate relationships with founders and meticulously vet opportunities, ensuring that only pre-qualified prospects are introduced.
The companies we represent usually look like this:
Other Agencies
You’re an established agency with a track record of success. Whether the business is backed by the strength of private equity or cash reserves, you are poised for growth and seeking strategic acquisitions to expand your capabilities and reach.
Private Equity
You’re a dynamic and strategic investment firm with a clear strategy of acquiring additive companies for your portfolio. With a keen eye for value creation, you seek promising companies with strong growth potential to drive operational improvements and create long-term value.
Entrepreneurs
You are a passionate and driven individual seeking a new opportunity to extract value and make an impact. With your hands on approach, you’re eager to acquire a business in an effort to bring a fresh perspective and collaborate with visionaries.
We use an easy to understand pricing model
During the engagement, you pay a $7,500 monthly retainer as our team works to source deals. When your deal closes, you pay a flat fee ranging from $100,000 - $300,000 based on the total enterprise value. Seem simple? It is!
Some Merge Lovin' 💛
The Merge team was great to work with throughout our search and acquisition process. From start to finish, they were very responsive and kept the process moving along nicely. I’ve only had positive interactions with the team to date with both our acquisition of SketchDeck and other opportunities that we have shown interest in.
Tyler Zara, SVP @ 24Seven, A Morgan Stanley Company
I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Merge team to close the transaction. From start to finish I had a personalized experience and appreciated their ability to navigate the due diligence process and manage expectations for both parties. The team was organized, communicative and proactive in keeping up momentum and pushing the deal across the finish line.
Nick Fraunfelder, Founder & Managing Partner @ AJAX
This was not the first time we transacted with a Merge-listed company, but one thing remained consistent: the Merge team takes time to understand the people behind the transaction. In addition to managing a smooth process, they focused on developing a partnership between buyer and seller – that alignment was critical to the deal.
Mathew Landon, Managing Partner @ Contour Ridge
Using Merge during our acquisition of The Boston Group was a game-changer. Their approach and experience working with agencies streamlined the process, making it significantly more efficient and effective. The insights and analytics provided by Merge enabled us to make well-informed decisions quickly while ensuring we fully understood the value and risks involved.
Matt Naffah, Partner & COO @ Isovera
The Acquirer’s Playbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Marketing Agency
From identifying targets to negotiating deals and integrating teams, this playbook provides a step-by-step roadmap to navigate the acquisition process with confidence. Gain practical insights and expert advice to maximize your chances of success in acquiring a marketing agency.
The Role of Culture in M&A Success: A Guide for Small Business Buyers
Discover how aligning cultural values can drive post-acquisition integration and long-term growth. Gain actionable insights and practical tips to navigate the cultural landscape of agency mergers and acquisitions, ensuring your agency acquisition is set up for success from day one.
Unlocking the Secrets of Digital Agency Valuations: What Every Buyer Should Know
Explore the inner workings of digital agency valuations from a buyer’s perspective. Gain valuable insights into the factors that influence valuation figures and learn what to look for when evaluating potential acquisitions in the digital agency space.
Essential Legal Advice for M&A Buyers in the Marketing Agency Sector
Navigate the legal complexities of M&A transactions in the marketing agency sector with confidence. Uncover essential legal advice tailored specifically for buyers, addressing key considerations, potential pitfalls, and best practices.
What
The
FAQ
Our firm boasts a distinguished track record in effectively sourcing deals for buyers within the marketing, media, and technology sectors. Prior to engagement, we meticulously vet buyers to guarantee our capacity to execute transactions successfully. Additionally, we prioritize alignment between buyers and market standards concerning valuation expectations, funding initiatives, and cultural synergies.
Yes! You can view case studies of dozens of successfully completed transactions we have facilitated in the agency space here.
In the marketing services industry vertical, we leverage our comprehensive understanding and ongoing connections with founders to pinpoint potential acquisition targets. Our approach combines meticulous market research, detailed industry analysis, and tapping into our extensive network to ensure we uncover strategic opportunities aligned with our clients’ objectives.
Our team speaks to each target to qualify the lead before sharing.
While we have experience across various industries, our firm specializes in deal sourcing for businesses in the agency space, including but not limited to marketing, public relations, advertising and sales enablement, where we have deep expertise and insights.
Confidentiality is paramount in our deal sourcing process. We have robust protocols in place to ensure that sensitive information is protected throughout the engagement.
Our vetting process involves thorough analysis of potential targets, including financial due diligence, market positioning, and alignment with the buyer’s strategic objectives.
We approach negotiations with target companies strategically, aiming to achieve favorable terms for our clients while maintaining positive relationships with sellers.
We stay updated on market trends and opportunities through continuous research, participation in industry events, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders.
Our firm differentiates itself through our personalized approach, deep industry knowledge, and commitment to delivering value to our clients.
We tailor our approach to meet the specific needs and preferences of each buyer, ensuring that our services align with their strategic objectives.
Our average timeline from searching to closing is 4-6 months.
There is no minimum purchase price, but our minimum success fee is $100K.
Yes! Check out how we can help here.
Yes, our team will provide insight as to fair market value.
We can add them to an exclusion list to ensure we don’t reach out or help facilitate.
Check out this buyer questionnaire that outlines key elements you’ll need to clarify.
Our due diligence process is comprehensive and rigorous, covering all aspects of the target company’s operations, finances, and legal standing.
We assist buyers in evaluating the strategic fit of potential acquisition targets by conducting thorough analysis and providing strategic guidance based on our expertise.
Our fee structure for deal sourcing services is transparent and competitive, and we are happy to discuss specific details with interested buyers.
We maintain open communication and collaboration with buyers throughout the deal sourcing process, providing regular updates and seeking feedback to ensure alignment.
Our approach to post-acquisition integration support includes providing strategic guidance, facilitating communication between parties, and assisting with operational transitions to ensure a smooth integration process.