Buying agencies for scale used to be the whole model. Ruud Wanck of Candid Platform says that model is finished.

Doug Baxter sits down with Ruud, whose Amsterdam group has grown by acquisition across the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK, to ask what he is actually buying now, what he will no longer pay for, and what the first few months feel like for a founder who has just gained a boss.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Cold open

00:27 Why this episode is different

01:41 Candid has come full circle

02:48 What AI is good at, and what it is not

05:09 Three years of building it, and open

06:22 Levelling the playing field, and the abundance of time

07:55 Why buying for scale is done

09:22 Does it change the mechanics of the business model

11:16 What Candid looks for in an agency

12:07 The services and the geographies

12:58 The first 90 to 120 days after a deal

15:20 When the cultural fit is not there

16:22 Scepticism about AI, and overselling

17:24 To every independent agency owner

18:41 Where this leaves the industry

ABOUT AGENCY PRINCIPALS

Conversations with the people building, buying and selling marketing services agencies. Hosted by Doug Baxter and Simon Morgan of Agency Futures.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.coxgO

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/agency-principals/id1892206226

Every episode: https://agencyfutures.com/p

ABOUT AGENCY FUTURES

We are a boutique global M&A advisory for marketing services agencies, working buy-side and sell-side from Barcelona, Los Angeles and Sydney. We help owneand exit on the best possible terms.

Is your business match fit? Take the exit ://agencyfutures.com/exit-readiness

More on how we work: https://agencyfutures.com

#AgencyMA #AgencyOwners #MarketingAgency #AgencyGrowth #AIinMarketing #MergersAndAcquisitions

Unlock the secrets to selling your agency with our Exit Playbook! 🚀 In this episode, we dive deep into the essential questions every agency owner must consider before selling.

Key takeaways:

* Understand the motivations behind selling your agency.
* Explore the importance of being "match fit" for potential buyers.
* Learn how to prepare your agency for a successful sale.
* Discover the common pitfalls to avoid during the selling process.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
02:16 What is the Exit Playbook?
02:54 Should you sell your agency?
03:20 Founder burnout and motivations
04:13 The role of advisors in the selling process
10:12 Timing the market and financial security
12:04 Preparing your agency for sale
15:45 The importance of culture in mergers and acquisitions
20:32 Common mistakes agency owners make
25:00 How to engage your leadership team
30:15 The emotional journey of selling
35:00 Final thoughts and next steps

What's your biggest challenge with selling your agency? Drop it in the comments!

Subscribe for more insights on agency growth and exit strategies!

Want to talk about growing your agency? Drop an email at doug@agencyfutures.com

The conversation with Paul Hughes, co-founder of Rothco, delves into the intersecting trajectories of art, agency, and football, highlighting the commonality of expression and the rise of Rothco. It explores the decision to sell the agency, Paul's transition to art, the impact of AI on agencies, and reflections on Rothco's journey.