Advertising Agency
Our process is fast, easy to understand, and founder friendly.
(SCROLL)
Thinking about selling your advertising agency? We’ll guide you from valuation to close with a smooth, white-glove process.
Whether you run a boutique creative shop, media buying agency, or full-service advertising firm, we help founders maximize the value of what they’ve built. From in-depth valuations to carefully vetted buyer introductions, our expert team handles every step so you can stay focused on client work while we manage the sale. The process is personalized, stress-free, and designed to get you the best outcome.
We like to sell advertising agencies that have:
Sustainable Margins
Above 15%
Healthy profit
From $500K to $5M
Successful operations
Of three years or longer
A positive and ethical approach
No sketchy stuff
And bonus points forbusinesses that have:
A simple business model
You can explain it to your parents
A unique advantage
Like service offering or niche
A high-quality team
A great team with a positive culture
Solid transition plan
Of 90 days or longer
Strong Customer Economics
Buyers value steady retainers and long-term client contracts that drive predictable growth.
Operational Stability
Buyers want clear processes, consistent service, and confidence your team can scale.
Brand IP or Differentiation
A unique creative approach or niche focus gives buyers confidence in lasting value.
Clean Metrics & Low Return Rates
Buyers love clarity — and low returns = high confidence
We work with founders who decide to sell their advertising agency for the following reasons:
Market Timing
The founder sees growing demand for performance media and digital ad services and wants to capitalize while valuations and buyer interest are strong.
Operational Burnout
Campaign cycles, client demands, and fast-moving trends can wear down teams. Some founders sell to focus on other goals or restore work-life balance.
Scaling Limitations
Advertising agencies often hit ceilings without expanding service lines, adding senior talent, or investing in tools. Buyers can help scale faster.
Industry Disruption
Shifts in ad platforms, privacy rules, and client demands can push founders to sell before the market changes too much.
Life Changes
Advertising agency founders may reevaluate their priorities after big life moments. Selling can offer flexibility and peace of mind while the business is still running strong.
New Ventures
Many agency founders are natural builders. After growing one agency, they often dream of launching something new, shifting industries, or stepping back to enjoy the freedom they’ve earned.
Team Transitions
Ad agencies often depend on a few key leaders. When those players leave or the founder is ready to step back, a sale can offer a next step.
Exit Planning Strategies
Some ad agency founders scale intentionally to sell. When they have a strong reputation, good clients, and solid financials, they’re ready to move forward.
Strategic Buyout
A larger ad agency or network might offer a deal that fits the founder’s vision. Even if a sale wasn’t planned, the right offer can be too aligned to ignore.
Don’t go at this alone. Use our resources. Get inspired by our market guides and let’s tackle this together.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We start with a confidential conversation to understand your advertising agency’s goals, timeline, and service mix. This helps us craft a custom exit strategy based on your structure, leadership, and client base.
Step 2: Valuation
We perform a full valuation based on your agency’s financials, client retention, service mix, and market positioning. We assess revenue breakdown and margins to determine a clear, data-backed price.
Step 3: Market Positioning
We uncover what makes your advertising agency stand out—whether it’s creative campaigns, media expertise, or key client wins. Then we craft your story to attract ideal buyers and drive engagement.
Step 4: Preparation of Marketing Materials
We craft a visually compelling, data-backed prospectus that highlights your advertising agency’s story, campaign success, client roster, team structure, and future growth potential.
Step 5: Buyer Identification and Screening
Through our vetted network, we match you with serious, pre-qualified buyers who understand advertising and are actively looking for agencies with your expertise and client base.
Step 6: Presentations and Meetings
We coordinate meetings with top buyer candidates and coach you for each one. You’ll feel confident presenting your agency while we manage logistics, feedback, and next steps.
Step 7: Negotiations and Offers
Once offers come in, we help you compare terms, negotiate price, and protect your financial interests. That could include cash at close, phased transitions, or performance-based earn-out structures.
Step 8: Due Diligence
We organize your advertising agency’s key campaign assets, client contracts, financials, and operational documents. This ensures a smooth diligence process and builds buyer confidence.
Step 9: Closing and Transition
We finalize the paperwork, coordinate the handoff of client accounts and contracts, and guide you through a seamless transition whether you’re fully exiting or staying on to help grow the business.
Our fee structure is simple, transparent, and aligned with your success.
During the engagement, while our team works to match your advertising agency with the perfect buyer, you’ll pay a monthly retainer ranging from $5,000–$20,000 depending on the size and complexity of your business. When the deal closes, you pay a success fee equal to 10% of the cash consideration received at closing. No hidden fees, no surprises—just a structure designed to keep everyone incentivized and focused on your best outcome.
Our Strategic Engagements Are Designed to Maximize Your Exit.
Our three signature engagements go beyond traditional M&A advisory, helping advertising agency founders confidently navigate every phase of selling their business. Backed by deep industry expertise and a proven track record, each engagement is designed to meet your agency’s specific goals. Whether you're preparing your agency for sale, fielding inbound buyer interest, or ready to go to market, our process delivers clarity, confidence, and maximum return.
1. Valuation Only
(Understand & Assess)
For founders who want to know what their advertising agency is worth, this engagement delivers a clear, data-backed valuation based on industry benchmarks and agency-specific performance metrics. You’ll get the insights you need to decide if, when, and how to sell—with no pressure attached.
2. Transaction Support
(Advise & Execute)
If you already have a buyer at the table, we’ll jump in to guide you through the deal. We help structure terms, negotiate price, manage diligence, and protect your interests through closing. It’s expert support without the full-market process.
3. Full Go-to-Market Representation
(Prepare & Represent)
This is the full-service, white-glove experience for advertising agency founders. We handle everything from valuation, positioning, and buyer outreach to negotiations and closing. You can stay focused on running your agency while we manage the entire exit process. It’s the ideal option for founders looking for top-dollar offers, the right strategic fit, and a seamless transition.
Since 2015, we've guided over 1,000 businesses through valuations & acquisitions.
In the dynamic realm of M&A, experience isn't just a bonus—it's the key ingredient that empowers buyers and sellers to navigate the intricate process with assurance and also achieve their goals.
SCS Goes Public With PopReach
Brandon Agency Acquires Social Media Dynamo JoyByte
PR Agency Candor Acquired by Salient Global
The Creative Momentum Acquired By CloudMellow
Big Footprint Digital Joins PE Backed Fusion92
Origin Outside Acquired By Hospitality Giant MMGY Global
Trendy Minds Secures Private Equity Backing from Contour Ridge
Gravity Global Acquires Hubspot Agency Mojo Media Labs
KonvertLab Acquired By Industry Powerhouse Taktical Digital
Likeable Acquired By Global Digital Transformation Firm 10Pearls
Some Merge Lovin' 💛
What
The
FAQ
We specialize in selling advertising agencies with strong client relationships, clean financials, and well-established team structures. This includes agencies focused on media planning, campaign strategy, digital advertising, creative production, and full-service marketing
We use a mix of valuation methods including EBITDA multiples, revenue trends, and advertising agency–specific factors like client retention, media spend under management, campaign mix, team structure, and the balance of project-based vs retainer revenue. Our approach reflects how real buyers assess value in today’s advertising and marketing M&A market.
Yes — confidentiality is core to our process. We use blind listings, vetted NDAs, and structured buyer communication to ensure your brand and team aren’t exposed until the right time.
We’ve built a curated network of strategic buyers, holding companies, private equity groups, and high-net-worth individuals actively seeking advertising agencies. We also run targeted outreach to match your agency with ideal buyers based on size, service focus, and growth potential.
That’s totally fine. Many founders come to us just to understand their valuation or exit options. We’ll give you honest insights and a roadmap, so when the time is right, you’re prepared.
We charge a monthly retainer during the engagement and a success fee based on the cash you receive at closing. Our structure is aligned to get you the best outcome — no hidden costs, ever.
Most advertising agency deals take 4 to 6 months from kickoff to close, but timing depends on your readiness, financials, and deal complexity. We’ll move as fast as you’re able to.
Focus on clean financials, organized reporting (like client and service line performance), reducing founder involvement, and documenting key processes and team roles. We’ll guide you through the rest.
We do the heavy lifting — outreach, vetting, negotiations — so you can focus on running your business. You’ll join key calls and review offers, but we keep things efficient and founder-friendly.
That depends on your goals and the buyer’s needs. Some founders transition out quickly; others stay on during an earnout. We’ll help structure the post-sale plan that works best for you.