M&A activity in marketing services is significant, attracting strong interest from global buyers and private equity. If you’re a founder considering a sale, the right M&A advisor can make all the difference between a smooth, value-maximising deal and one that falls short.

Why a specialist M&A advisor matters

Marketing services businesses face unique dynamics compared to other sectors. A specialist advisor understands these nuances and how to position your story for the right buyer pool.

A specialist advisor understands:

• How client relationships, retention, and revenue visibility drive valuations
• The importance of specialism and differentiated service offerings
• The importance of different revenue models (subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, commerce, licensing)
• How proprietary tech, content IP, and brand equity impact buyer appetite
• How cross-border appetite can maximise outcomes

How WY Partners can help

At WY Partners, we work exclusively with media and tech businesses – from marketing services and marketing tech to production, gaming, and business information (learn more about our sub-sectors below). We’ve advised founders on deals with global buyers and PE funds across the UK and US, including Accenture, Capgemini, IPG, LDC, Livingbridge.

Our role is more than just running a process. We help you prepare, shape your equity story, and find the right home for your business and your team.

Timing is everything

If you’re planning a sale in the next 12–24 months, now is the time to prepare by:

• Optimising financial reporting processes to create clean financial data that is due diligence ready
• Building a clear growth narrative backed by longstanding client relationships delivering repeat revenue
• Build a story around unique IP, tech, or partnerships
• Strengthening leadership and continuity for post-sale success

Deal spotlight:

WY advised global marketing agency The MTM Agency on its sale to IDHL

We recently acted as exclusive financial advisor to The MTM Agency on its sale to IDHL, accelerating IDHL’s strategic capabilities across performance, web, eCommerce, data intelligence, and creative services.

“We are delighted with the outcome of the deal and would like to thank the WY Partners team for their essential role in delivering such a positive result. Their unrivalled sector knowledge helped us identify our perfect partner early on in the process before driving it to completion. The combination of technical expertise and approachable nature made them the ideal advisers to work with – we could not recommend them highly enough.”

– Gordon Hawes, Co-owner, The MTM Agency

Read more about the deal here.

Thinking of selling your marketing agency? Get in touch with our team at WY Partners to discuss your options and the best route to market at hello@wypartners.com.