At Gould+Partners, we pride ourselves on providing unparalleled service and counsel to our clients. With insider knowledge of the public relations, media and creative services industries, we provide specialized insight to help our clients build value, augment profitability and gain and maintain a competitive advantage.
Our financial services, management consulting, merger and acquisitions advisory services and strategic planning assistance have contributed to the success of many high-profile companies throughout the United States and worldwide. We thrive on the success and satisfaction of our clients and are proud to be highly regarded by the organizations we work with.
Recent Transactions
Top: The senior leadership team at AVENIR GLOBAL, from left: Andrew Molson, Chairman; Valerie Beauregard, Executive Vice-President; Jean-Pierre Vasseur, President and CEO; Royal Poulin, Executive Vice-President and CFO
Bottom: The senior leadership team at Padilla, from left: Lynn Casey, Chair and Matt Kucharski, President
“As a 100 percent employee-owned company by virtue of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, it was critical that the plan’s independent trustee understand the deal structures typical in the public relations space. Rick’s knowledge of and commitment to our industry is unsurpassed in the financial advisory arena, so seeking his help on this was an easy decision. His published research, along with his offer to spend time with our plan’s trustee, greatly contributed to a successful transaction all around.”
Front row from left, from SHIFT Communications: Amy Lyons, Managing Partner; Todd Defren, Founding Partner; Jim Joyal, Partner; Paula Finestone, Executive Vice-President, Operations. Second row from left, from NATIONAL Public Relations: Valerie Beauregard, Executive Vice-President; Jean-Pierre Vasseur, President and CEO; Royal Poulin, Executive Vice-President and CFO.
“Rick Gould’s industry benchmarking research provided seminal guidance during SHIFT’s business evolution, so it was natural that I would turn to him for guidance and support during this critical period. When it comes to PR industry M&A issues, there is no one I trust more.”
“The acquisition of SHIFT was an important milestone for our Firm. Having Rick Gould bridge the gap between both parties during the negotiation was crucial for the success of the transaction. As an advisor to the seller he understood the importance of finding solutions that would not jeopardize the deal, that would provide value to his client and that would maintain harmonious relationship between all parties post-closing.”
Top row (L to R): Richard Funess, Peter Finn, Ronald Roberts; Second row (L to R): Finn Partners’ Alicia Young, Beth Seigenthaler Courtney, and Noah Finn
“For a number of years, Rick Gould served as a strategic adviser to our agency, Seigenthaler Public Relations, and provided invaluable support in helping us to position ourselves for future growth and opportunity. Later, Rick also introduced me to Peter Finn, CEO of Finn Partners as a potential strategic partner. This meeting led to opportunity and we were later acquired by Finn Partners, a transaction that Rick facilitated. Throughout our relationship, Rick has provided keen counsel that has helped our agency achieve ambitious goals. He is an industry insider who thoroughly understand our profession and how to help individual agencies be more successful.”
“Rick Gould introduced DVL to Finn Partners, worked with our team closely in providing the financial information needed by buyer and facilitated the transaction in the discussions and negotiations with Finn Partners … His partner, Don Tipple, was also invaluable in this process.”
“I have worked directly with Rick and his team on several transactions. Rick is responsive and possesses a thorough knowledge of our industry. We talk the same language and it provides win-win results.”
Client & Professional Testimonials
“Rick has been a trusted and valued consultant to Taylor for more than a decade. In fact, Rick was one of the few advisors at my side when I became CEO of Taylor in 2004, and he continues to help us throughout our transformation process.”
“I have worked with Rick on many consulting and strategic engagements. He is the consummate professional and his annual bench-marking surveys give him a superb perspective on the industry. The fact that Rick is a C.P.A. and J.D. gives Rick the ability to understand the key financial and operational elements of a public relations firm and to help his clients drive towards success.”
“Rick provides the deep experience in mergers and acquisitions that most of us don’t have. From his participation in multiple transactions each year, he knew that G&S and CooperKatz were a solid match and became a cheerleader in making sure this deal got done. His perspective from start to finish was invaluable.”
“Rick is one of the best Mergers & Acquisitions advisors I have worked with…His Benchmarking surveys and his role as an M&A advisor have required the utmost of trust by industry leaders in his seeing confidential, proprietary information on the financial stats of their firms…and, as a result, his Benchmarking Reports, in my view, have been the gold standard for over two decades”.
“I have known and worked with Rick for many years both as an agency principal and over the last 12 years as an advisor to agency owners. I have referred clients to Rick for help with valuations, advice on selling or acquiring, and guidance on key financial issues. In all cases, my clients have valued his expertise, his diligence and his commitment to working within their budget and timing requirements.”
“You are such an incredible and respected resource for us, thank you for all your help, we are so grateful”.
“I worked with Rick for more than a year in our search to identify the best suitor for Schwartz Communications. We worked closely with Rick in assessing and evaluating the many opportunities with prospective buyers in both North America and globally. He was responsive to our timelines and expectations, available 24/7 to work with me and my team on the many challenges we encountered. He was very helpful in adding value to our process, all the way through the closing of our transaction. I would work with him again if the opportunity arises.”
“Rick has been an invaluable source of possible acquisition opportunities for our firm.”