Happy Christmas and wishing you a restful break | The M&A Insider | Issue # 9
As we reach the end of 2023, we’re able to reflect on the year and look forward to 2024.
For 2023, the backdrop of tightening capital markets, high interest rates, geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty has impacted marketing and digital investment by brands, which is likely to continue into the first half of 2024.
We’ve written a blog to share our thoughts on the agency landscape for this year, and how 2024 is shaping up.
After a slow 2023 for M&A generally, and within the agency sectors, we expect a bounceback in deals next year. There will be a combination of heavy consolidation in the technology and media areas, as well as smaller to mid-sized groups scaling through acquisition to enhance capabilities in key areas and/or diversify their client/sector exposure. Private equity buyers will need to do deals next year but will have to weigh up opportunistic acquisitions in the distressed/underperforming parts of the market, or focus investment in the more expensive, high-demand end of the market.
Wishing you a wonderful break with your friends and family and look forward to seeing you in the new year.
Industry News
Mergers & Acquisitions
Nordic performance group S360 acquire UK agency Reload Digital
Rocketmill, UK employee owned performance agency sells to PMG
The Independents acquires two production companies - INCA and Atelier Lum
Keywords Studios acquires multiplayer game development studio The Multiplayer Group
Elixirr, UK consultancy, acquires US-based consultancy Insigniam
News
Cactus News
What's Happening in 2024
18th January - Sustainable Agency Growth Roundtable
Growing an agency can be a challenge, with multiple plates spinning to ensure you have the resources needed to deliver client projects but also protect the profitability of your business in the long run.
Join Joanne Reid and Alfie Wenegieme as they explore some of the biggest challenges faced by agency owners when scaling their businesses.
25th January - Agency Owners Burns Supper
In January we will be hosting a traditional Burns Supper exclusively for Agency Owners and Founders. Join us and celebrate the Bard and network with your peers in a relaxed and festive atmosphere.
For more details email Louisa Douglas Kent
27th January - 1st February - Agency Founders Ski Trip
If you love skiing, great company and conversation and would like an opportunity to spend time with Cactus and like-minded agency owners - we have one space left on our Cactus Ski Trip.
For more information and costs email Abbe Wheeler
Christmas Gift Recommendations
Book
Factfulness - Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World by Hans Rosling
