Ivan Fernandes
M&A Advisor for Marketing Agencies
Helping agency founders design the exit they deserve.
M&A for Marketing Agencies
Welcome
You didn’t build your agency by accident.
Don’t leave your exit to chance.
M&A for Marketing Agencies
What I Do
→ Structure for growth
→ Prepare for acquisition
→ Increase agency value
→ Craft compelling equity stories
→ Navigate investors & PE interestWhether you're looking to exit in 2 years, the time to start planning is now.
M&A for Marketing Agencies
Who I Work With
Independent agency foundersChallenger networks seeking growth or salePartners exploring recap or partial exitsAgencies approached by buyers or PETeams building a strategic rollup
M&A for Marketing Agencies
Why Me?
Marketing Strategist → M&A Advisor
Helping agency founders create exits with clarity, control & value.
I’ve worked inside the machine.Now, I sit on the deal side. Helping agencies navigate the M&A landscape with confidence and leverage.I speak your language. And I know how buyers think.
M&A for Marketing Agencies
What Most Founders Miss
"We have great logos." → Doesn’t equal valuation."We’ve been profitable for years." → Not enough."They’ll see the potential." → Not without a clear story.Great agencies don’t always get great exits.Unless they build with value in mind.
M&A for Marketing Agencies
The Process
Audit → Exit-readiness & value driversAlign → Vision, structure, and strategic fitBuild → Operational strength & positioningConnect → The right partners, buyers, or capitalExit → On your terms
How I Work
Transparent.
Founder-first.
Outcome-driven.I believe in building trust from day one, starting with how we work together.Here’s my engagement model:
0. Advisory
1. Advisory: Strategic Guidance Over Time2. Planning: Build Your Exit Roadmap3. Operationalise: Make the Business Investor-Ready4. Capital: Growth Financing & Investor Matching5. M&A: Full Exit Support6. Rebuild: Scale Without Selling
1. Monthly Retainer
Designed for strategic support during pre-exit planning or rollup preparation.→ Structured by scope and stage (typically 3–12 months)→ Includes advisory time, strategy sessions, positioning work, investor readiness, and ongoing deal supportThis helps founders plan with confidence, while I focus on building long-term value, not quick flips.
2. Success Fee
→ Only applies if a deal closes and is structured based on transaction size.→ Typically 3–5% of transaction value, tiered→ Aligned with industry benchmarks→ Discounted if there’s an ongoing retainer→ No double-dipping, I win when you do
Why This Model Works
→ Predictable cost for early-stage prep→ No hidden fees or retainers that drag on→ Success-based structure when the time is right→ You stay in control and I act as a partner, not a broker
If you’re a founder looking to explore M&A but don’t want to burn equity or rush the process, this structure gives you strategic headroom and financial clarity.
Let’s Talk
If you're serious about the future of your agency and you’re done guessing what buyers want.Or message me on LinkedIn. I’ll respond personally.