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Build or Buy? The Big Question for Agency Growth I was recently featured in The Drum discussing a key question facing agencies today: is it better to build capability from within or buy it through acquisitions? 💼 In the article, I reflected on We Are Collider’s 21-year journey, where at times we’ve acquired new capabilities to stay ahead, like when we brought three agencies into the fold pre-Covid. Now, with a refined offering and three years of strong growth post-pandemic, I explained why investment is the current path forward for us. 🔧 “This time, instead of acquiring, we enhanced our offering by investing in Seven-Communications and Arq. Although acquisition is a faster route to new skills and services, it’s not without complications. Investment is better because clients see only benefits and not perceived negatives like talent and culture change. Also, the agency’s profile can still be leveraged and existing stakeholders remain engaged and incentivised.” “When structured correctly, investment means everyone benefits and stays motivated to move forward together while creating opportunity and growth.” 🚀 For more expert-led insights on this crucial debate, check out the full article HERE: https://lnkd.in/eucgGM3W #BrandExperience #Storytelling #Emotion #Creatives #ExperientialMarketing

Build or Buy? The Big Question for Agency Growth Our CEO and founder, Anton Jerges was recently featured in The Drum discussing a key question facing agencies today: is it better to build capability from within or buy it through acquisitions? 💼 In the article, Anton reflected on We Are Collider’s 21-year journey, where at times we’ve acquired new capabilities to stay ahead, like when we brought three agencies into the fold pre-Covid. Now, with a refined offering and three years of strong growth post-pandemic, Anton explained why investment is the current path forward for us. 🔧 “This time, instead of acquiring, we enhanced our offering by investing in Seven-Communications and Arq. Although acquisition is a faster route to new skills and services, it’s not without complications. Investment is better because clients see only benefits and not perceived negatives like talent and culture change. Also, the agency’s profile can still be leveraged and existing stakeholders remain engaged and incentivised.” “When structured correctly, investment means everyone benefits and stays motivated to move forward together while creating opportunity and growth.” 🚀 For more expert-led insights on this crucial debate, check out the full article HERE: https://lnkd.in/eq-ma5XD We Are Collider x #BrandExperience #Storytelling #Emotion #Creatives #ExperientialMarketing

What Bill Bernbach wrote in 1947 about the 'trap of bigness' seems rather prescient today, doesn't it? As news of the potential Omnicom-IPG merger swirls about, I'm reminded of how nature abhors both a vacuum and a monopoly. Just as a garden doesn't become more fertile by combining all the flower beds into one massive plot, our industry doesn't necessarily become more creative by consolidating its talent pools. The inevitable "synergies" (corporate speak for redundancies) will likely scatter some brilliant minds to the four winds. But here's the delightfully counter-intuitive bit: This corporate consolidation might inadvertently trigger the most exciting wave of creative entrepreneurship our industry has seen in decades. You see, when large organisations optimise for efficiency, they often create spectacular opportunities for inefficiency - and it's in these seemingly inefficient spaces where creativity often flourishes. The soon-to-be-redundant creative director who starts a boutique agency from her kitchen table might just create the next campaign that makes us all question our assumptions about advertising. The great irony is that while the merged entity will be busy harmonising systems and standardising processes, dozens of nimble new agencies will spring up, free from the constraints of quarterly earnings calls and procurement departments. They'll be the advertising equivalent of craft brewers in a world of multinational beverage companies. Bernbach warned about the danger of worshipping technique over substance. Perhaps this merger will inadvertently help restore that balance - not through the creation of a super-agency, but through the beautiful chaos of countless creative insurgencies. Sometimes the best way to preserve something is to break it apart and let it regenerate. Rather like starfish. #Advertising #CreativeIndustry #Marketing #Innovation P.S. - The history of our industry suggests that the most interesting work often comes from those who've been kicked out of bigger agencies. It's rather like how the best restaurants are often started by chefs who got tired of hotel kitchens.

Scaling a beauty brand is one thing. Making it acquisition-ready is a different game altogether. The beauty industry is booming, yet not every brand is acquisition-ready. Over my years guiding successful exits, I've seen what makes a beauty brand truly valuable to investors and it’s often more strategic than founders think. → Financial Clarity: Serious buyers want transparent financials, clear profitability, and healthy cash flow. A profitable brand isn't just a product—it's a machine that runs efficiently. Strong financials build trust and ensure your brand’s true worth shines through. → Distinct Identity: Buyers seek brands with a unique edge—whether it’s a patented formula, exclusive partnerships, or cult-like customer loyalty. Differentiation isn't just marketing fluff; it’s tangible, competitive value. → Scalable Operations: Investors look for brands with solid operational infrastructure. Can your supply chain and inventory scale? Ensuring efficiency on the back end signals you're ready to expand seamlessly. → Vision-Driven Growth: Buyers want to know there’s room to grow. Articulating a clear, data-backed plan for market expansion and future profits shows investors you’re prepared to keep the momentum going. → Digital Presence & Community: In beauty, brand equity is currency. A loyal following and authentic digital presence make your brand valuable beyond the products alone. Helping founders turn vision into VALUE is what we do at Centure Financial. If you're ready to make your company acquisition-worthy, send me a message. #Beauty #HealthandWellness #Acquisitions #M&A

A few years ago, a now famous agency founder sat across from me and said something I'll never forget: "I think I'm ready to sell, but I have no idea where to start." That conversation stuck with me. Because every week since then, I've heard the same thing from successful founders who've built incredible businesses. They've crossed the seven-figure mark. Their teams are crushing it. They're respected leaders in their space. But when it comes to selling their agency, even the most confident founders hesitate. I get it. I've been there—when I sold my first business, there was no playbook. No guide. No champion for founders in M&A. That's what inspired us to create something I wish I'd had back then. Something that would give agency founders the clarity and confidence they deserve when making one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Today, I'm beyond excited to share it with you: Merge’s The Essential Guide to Preparing Your Agency for Sale. This isn't just another PDF to collect dust in your downloads. It's 70 pages of real-world insights from hundreds of successful agency exits we've guided, including: 💡 How to position your agency for maximum value 💡 What buyers ACTUALLY care about (hint: it's not just your revenue) 💡 Building a transition plan that keeps your team happy and your legacy intact 💡 The exact steps to take 12-24 months before you sell That conversation from a few years ago? It changed how I thought about M&A. It showed me that even the most successful founders need a clear path forward. If you've ever wondered "What's my agency really worth?" or "Am I ready to take this step?" - this guide is for you. Because selling your agency doesn't have to feel overwhelming. It starts with the right tools and a clear plan. 📘 Get your copy below. Link in first comment 👇 #agency #MandA #founders #ExitStrategy #growth

“You can merge balance sheets, but you can’t merge authenticity.” Proud to see my perspective included in the latest ADWEEK article exploring the future of the marketing and agency landscape. Thank you Kyle O'Brien for including me. As consolidation reshapes the industry, it’s clear that authenticity and cultural fluency are the keys to long-term success qualities independent and specialist agencies bring to the table. The Independent Agency Economy (IAE) is emerging as marketing’s next generation cultural movement. Check out the article for insights on how agencies are navigating this shifting terrain, and let’s continue the conversation: How do we preserve authenticity in a world of mergers and acquisitions? #MarketingStrategy #Marketing #Advertising #AgencyLife #Authenticity

It’s official: PAN has acquired BLASTmedia! They are now known as PANBlast, a division of PAN (formerly, BLASTmedia) 🚀!    If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking to yourself: Why now? Why BLASTmedia? What is PAN hoping to achieve? And does this change anything about PAN’s offerings?    Those are all great questions. Let’s get into them ⬇️    Why did PAN acquire BLASTmedia?    (Here’s the Cliffs Notes answer to that 👇 if you’re in a hurry)    📕 Because we can more easily support the full lifecycle of a brand (from emerging growth to late stage), we gain B2B SaaS expertise, and our two firms are in full alignment culturally. 📕    For the longer explanation of those three reasons, keep reading 🤓    1️⃣ PAN has a long history of working with mid to late-stage brands. That will not change. What this acquisition does is give us the opportunity to also focus on emerging growth – through PANBlast. Today’s market is filled with early-stage companies that are ready to make a splash, and we want to help them do it. With PANBlast (looking at you Lindsey!) and the synergies between it and our core business, we can now comprehensively support the full lifecycle of a brand, from emerging growth to late stage. That’s huge and a win-win for all.    2️⃣ The folks from BLASTmedia understand PR for B2B SaaS like nobody else. It’s been their bread and butter for almost 20 years. Now, the BLAST team will give PAN even more ways to engage with innovative #SaaS companies.    3️⃣ We’ve noted this with previous acquisitions, but it bears repeating: shared values are crucial. In this case, the values between our two companies weren’t a Venn diagram; they were a circle. The BLASTmedia team is filled with bright, inquisitive people who know their industries and align with us on the intangibles of running an agency: compassion, inclusion, and ambition (to name a few). It’s been amazing working with Lindsey (Peck) Groepper, Mendy Werne and j. kelly hendricks. Now to cover a couple additional questions!    >> Does this change anything about PAN’s offerings? <<    No - It deepens our focus as we combined forces – PAN and PANBlast – to ensure we can support the full growth journey of your brand.    >> Why now? << We’ve seen a rise in emerging growth market opportunities, and we plan to catch them. That’s what PANBlast enables us to do across some incredibly competitive markets (#AI, #Cyber, #Fintech, #ClimateTech, etc.).    If you couldn’t tell, I’m motivated and enthusiastic about what this move represents for PAN – and I can’t wait to see all the great ideas and initiatives that will come out of it.    Huge shout to Alyssa Tyson Brys Scotland, Connor Ermir Bradshaw, Katie Weedman, Nik Barkley, Rebecca Fox and Victoria Famiglietti - #TeamWork! 🌟    I’m here if you want to chat, whether that’s about this acquisition, PAN’s offerings or the C's championship run!    #WeMoveMarkets #AgencyExcellence    IN COMMENTS: Check out PANBlast 🚀

 I never promise the outcome, but I do promise the process. Here's how I roll up companies via acquisitions: 🚀 Build the Advisory Board: Think of it as the Mount Rushmore of the industry or the best basketball team. I assemble a board before I even buy a company. Find a Fragmented Industry: Call people in town and ask them who their best competitor is. Then, connect with the best in the industry—the ones with the strongest reputations. Build an Acquisition Funnel: On-market or off-market, it’s a volume game. We’ve built a machine with cold email, cold calling, and a broker network working daily to uncover businesses within our buy box. Dial in Your Buy Box: Be specific. Without focus, you’ll get lost on sites like BizBuySell. I approach acquisitions like grocery shopping—with a list in hand. I know exactly what aisle I’m heading to and what I’m grabbing (hello, grass-fed steak). Want the full breakdown? I’m diving deeper into the rest of my process in Friday’s newsletter. 👉 Subscribe in the comments. If this resonated with you, hit follow for more insights from Sam Mahmood. ✅

For companies with strong differentiators in hot demand, an IPO could be a very real strategic business option in 2025. To optimize your chances of getting there, PR and marketing leaders must have a seat at the table early on to lay the groundwork effectively. Read my latest Entrepreneur article to see the effective communication strategies I recommend before, during and after an IPO.

#AdvertisingAndBrandCommunications #CorporateBrand #MergersAndAcquisitions In an age where more companies seek growth the inorganic way, it's important to focus on the corporate brand in mergers and acquisitions. Pernod Ricard acquired Seagram and most of its brands in 2000-01, three years after I left Ogilvy Advertising in Delhi, where we worked on the Seagram business. Had I been there, I might have advised the company at least in India to consider changes in the corporate brand, and in communicating it clearly to all audiences. I don't think even Pernod Ricard global corporate office has considered this in all these years, as it is not evident from their website. Read my blog post on the Seagram- Pernod Ricard brand relationship, in order to understand how corporate brands ought to develop during M&A. https://lnkd.in/gp-bbasn https://lnkd.in/giHDjzMp