A change in ownership can be a scary proposition for an established public relations firm or creative agency, but it can also be a tremendous opportunity for growth. The key is to manage your firm’s reputation, while providing the new owner with space to grow into their new role. At Gould+Partners, we have helped numerous…
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M&A Articles and Blogs
How AI is reshaping PR Firm Valuations
The AI revolution has transformed how public relations agencies work and deliver value to clients. But it’s also changed how buyers value those firms, and understanding AI’s influence on valuation is essential for agency owners planning on selling in the future. The public relations industry is entering one of the most transformative periods in its…
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Preparing to Buy: When to start looking for a PR firm to acquire
If you are looking to acquire a public relations firm, you should begin your search approximately 12 months before you want to close the deal. This lead time allows for the extensive valuation process, financial due diligence, and transition planning required to successfully merge two agency cultures and client rosters. PR Firm Mergers & Acquisitions…
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Digital Presence Tied to PR Firm Valuation
A robust online presence is no longer just a marketing advantage for PR firms – it’s a critical driver of valuation, influencing credibility, client acquisition and operational stability. In modern mergers and acquisitions, digital assets are viewed as intangible value drivers, significantly enhancing a PR firm’s attractiveness to investors. Digital Drivers of PR Firm Value…
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Reasons Why a PR Firm Might Turn to an Acquisition
If you’re looking to grow your PR agency, acquiring another firm may be your best strategic option. At Gould+Partners, our experienced team of M&A advisors and public relations industry experts can help you evaluate the viability of an acquisition for your firm specifically, but generally speaking, acquisitions allow PR agencies to grow faster, smarter and…
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Key Drivers of PR Firm Value
While financial performance and profitability play an important role in determining how much a PR firm is worth, they are many other factors that contribute to a public relations agency’s value. For example, long-term client contracts, specialized expertise and a strong leadership team can also increase your firm’s value. When performing PR Firm Valuations, Gould+Partners…
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How to Communicate Effectively When You Sell Your PR Agency
Public relations agencies are in the business of communications, yet communicating their own acquisition can be challenging because it is new and unchartered territory. At Gould+Partners, we guide our PR agency clients through every step of the M&A process, including how to communicate effectively with staff and clients during a PR merger to build trust…
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Benchmark Analysis Adds to the Value of Your Agency
Adding Value to Your PR Agency Through Benchmark Analysis Edited version From “Doing It The Right Way”, 2nd Edition What is the easiest pathway to maximize PR firm value? The answer is simple: Get to the mark of 20 percent operating profit, known in the M&A world as “Recasted EBITDA.” But how do you go…
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Creating Value In Your PR Firm
A Mindset Shift That Will Build Your PR Firm’s Value Edited version From “Doing It The Right Way”, 2nd Edition There is a right way to build a firm’s value. There is a formal process that works. The hardest step for most firms is the first and most critical one: shifting the owner’s mindset to…
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The PR Firm Valuation Process
Business valuations are not just for public relations agencies considering a sale or merger. In fact, there are a number of reasons to get a PR firm valuation – ranging from profitability maximization to partner buyouts and estate planning – and the valuation process is extremely insightful and beneficial for agencies in all stages of…
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Benefits of Benchmarking Audits for PR Firms
Since 1987, Gould+Partners has been conducting surveys and compiling and analyzing extensive data for the public relations industry, which we share with the public, free of charge, in our annual benchmarking reports. These reports provide valuable insights for PR firms, and serve as an indispensable tool by which to measure themselves. However, interpreting these reports…
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PR Agency Valuations are Worth the Investment
Whether you’re planning to sell your firm or simply building your firm “as if” you will eventually sell, understanding your firm’s worth is vital. It can help with several issues — manifest of the many items we review — ranging from creating efficiencies in the day-to-day operation to reducing over-servicing to maximizing the sale price of your firm….
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