Shows
The TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow to Get the Most When Selling Your Company (Feat. Jon Morris)TobinLeff Founder, David Tobin, sat down with Jon Morris, founder and CEO of Fiscal Advocate, to discuss developing and tracking financial reports and KPIs to increase earnings and enhance enterprise value for a future sale. Jon is a proven entrepreneur. In 2004, with $10,000 by winning 2nd Place at the University of Chicago’s annual business plan competition he founded Rise Interactive. Over a 16-year period, Jon grew the firm into one of the largest independent digital agencies in the world with 300 people in 6 offices.
This episode is chock-full of tips, including the following:
The three most important KP...2025-07-2421 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastAn Inside Look at Selling to a Private Equity GroupFounding Partner, David Tobin, sat down with Mike Neumeier (Co-Founder and CEO of the Arketi Group) to discuss his exit planning journey. Mike secured investments from two private equity groups to form a platform company. In this video podcast, hear answers to questions like:
How and why did Mike decide to sell?
With multiple offers to choose from, why did he decide to sell to a PE group as opposed to a strategic buyer?
How did he select the buyers/investment partners?
How and when did he communicate the selling process to employees and clients?
What were some...2025-05-1418 min
The Agency Profit PodcastExit Planning Strategy, with David TobinPoints of Interest00:01 – 00:36 – Introduction: Marcel Petitpas welcomes David Tobin, a mergers and acquisitions expert, to discuss strategies for successful business exits.01:09 – 02:52 – David’s Background: David shares his journey from starting his first business in college to founding TobinLeff, focusing on his niche in financial services and exit planning.04:26 – 06:37 – Exit Strategies: David outlines various exit strategies, including selling to another agency, management buyouts, ESOPs, and financial sponsors.08:20 – 10:13 – Planning for Exit: David and Marcel discuss how firm owners can think through and plan for their exit, considering different options and what might be most applicable to them.13:58 – 15:58 – Current Market Conditions: David talks about how...2024-08-0734 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow to Avoid M&A Dealkillers When Selling Your BusinessStudies have estimated that more than 50% of all M&A transactions do not achieve their expected value or never close. Even if those stats are remotely accurate, the results are disheartening because no business owner wants to go through the time, expense, and emotional drain of trying to sell their company only to experience a deal falling apart.
At TobinLeff, we pride ourselves on helping our clients get their M&A transactions closed on their terms. In this podcast, four of our partners — David Tobin, Bruce Bishop, Chuck Gottschalk, and Mary McKinney — share strategies and action steps to h...2024-06-0639 min
EntreprenistaBuilding a Business to Sell with Mary McKinney Flaherty“We'll always meet with any business owner to talk about where they are today and what their goals are. That can lead to one of three results. One, we decide to move toward an exit planning and consulting process… The second option is we go to market, we've developed an assessment of value, and we agree that now is the time. And the third option is, it might not be the right option to sell and we're happy to spend that time and to learn.”In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Mary M...2024-03-0444 min
The Agency Growth PodcastHow to Sell Your Agency for Big Money (ft. David Tobin w/ TobinLeff M&A Advisors) | Episode 076**Cold Open (Cody brings up NVIDIA article / When is chasing money no longer worth it?)**Skip to Cold Open at 8:07**We're joined by David Tobin of TobinLeff M&A Advisors to discuss what agencies need to consider when thinking about selling their business.Jake mentions how he sees a lot of small agency owners (freelancers) looking to sell their "agency" in groups. We ask David very pointed questions on whether it's even feasible to sell an agency that only consists of one person and a client list...2023-11-1055 min
The Digital Agency Growth PodcastDavid Tobin on the Agency Acquisition Market in 2023Agency acquisition is not something all agency owners consider when starting their business. But there’s nothing more valuable than keeping acquisition in mind throughout your time with the agency, even if selling is not in your plan for a long time, if at all. Today, David Tobin of TobinLeff joins us again to discuss the trends and patterns in the agency acquisition space amidst economic uncertainty and post-Covid shifts. This week, episode 191 of The Digital Agency Growth Podcast is about the agency acquisition market in 2023!Are you leaving money on the table with yo...2023-07-1939 min
Agency AlgorithmHow to Sell Your Company for an Above Market Price | David Tobin | TobinLeffAgency Algorithm is produced by Podyssey.Each week Shack and Josh chat with an agency owner and talk about their journey to this point in their career, how they survived the last couple of years, and what the roadmap to success looks like.In this episode of Agency Algorithm, we have David Tobin, Managing Partner at TobinLeff, sharing his insights on growing businesses through strategic acquisitions, decoding the structure and impact of high-value acquisitions, and the importance of having a well-defined exit strategy. From his journey transitioning from an advertising family to an M&A...2023-06-0127 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastAn Inside Look at the Selling ExperienceIn 2022, Maura Corbett sold her company, Glen Echo Group, to Berlin Rosen, a portfolio company of the PE Group, O2 Investment Partners.
In this episode, Maura joins the TobinLeff team to discuss her selling journey and cover a number of topics, including:
How and why did she decide to sell her company?
What was her process for choosing an M&A advisory firm?
How did TobinLeff prepare the company and Maura for the process?
Why did she select Berlin Rosen and O2 Investment Partners as her ultimate buyer?
How did she involve key employees in the p...2023-01-2836 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow to Sell Your Business For an Above Market PriceWhy is it that some companies are able to sell for above — sometimes even far above — commonly accepted ballparks, or market price? Why can some companies command the higher multiple compared to others, where there’s continuous pressure on both price and the terms?
Learn how to make your business stand out from the competition so you can command top dollar for your company.
2022-07-2522 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastWhat Is An Exit Plan, and Why Do I Need One?Nearly 100% of agency owners believe that an Exit Plan is an important element for their future financial security, but only 15% actually have a written Exit Plan in place. At TobinLeff, we believe that the most important explanation for this disconnect may be the most basic one of all: while the idea of an Exit Plan seems to make sense, most agency owners don’t really know what an Exit Plan is. For additional information on how to sell your company from a position of strength, visit our resources page.
2022-01-1118 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastExit Pathways to Successfully Cash Out Of Your Business (Audio Only)You’re ready to sell your business — now what?
You’ve built your business from the ground up, poured your life into it, and now you’re ready for your next step. Maybe you want to retire, or maybe you’d like to start your next business venture. No matter your reason, selling your company is a complex road to navigate on your own — so don’t go it alone.
Join the partners of TobinLeff in this podcast where they go in-depth on four potential exit pathways. Learn how to:
Sell to an independent agency or simi...2021-11-1020 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow Private Equity Groups Assess and Value Marketing Services AgenciesWhat goes into a private equity acquisition? In this episode, David Tobin interviews Nick Burger, a partner at the ZS Fund, who oversaw the PE group's recent acquisition of TobinLeff's client, Communicus. Listen in to learn how PE groups:
Value companies and assess opportunities
Work with management teams to support their visions
Determine important elements of deal structures
And more...
Learn more about TobinLeff's latest engagement here.
2021-10-0516 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastExit Pathways to Successfully Cash Out Of Your BusinessYou’re ready to sell your business — now what?
You’ve built your business from the ground up, poured your life into it, and now you’re ready for your next step. Maybe you want to retire, or maybe you’d like to start your next business venture. No matter your reason, selling your company is a complex road to navigate on your own — so don’t go it alone.
Join the partners of TobinLeff in this webinar where they go in-depth on four potential exit pathways. Learn how to:
Sell to an independent agency or simi...2021-06-2852 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastTo Sell or Not to Sell: Don’t Let the Capital Gains Tail Wag the DogThe M&A market is very active today, interest rates are at historic lows and banks are actively lending. Is now the time to sell your business because of potential increases in capital gains tax rates? In this episode, glean insight from partners David Tobin, Chuck Gottschalk, and Holt Vaughn as they discuss the pros and cons of selling your business based on the current market trends.
2021-06-0425 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow to Sell Your Company from a Position of StrengthSelling your company is likely one of the most important transactions of your business career. When that time comes, will you approach the process from a position of strength or weakness? In this episode, learn how to:
Get your business house in order and be prepared mentally and financially
Qualify prospects and perform reverse due diligence
Negotiate favorable terms in the LOI
Take control during the due diligence process
Have a Plan B
2020-11-0416 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow Strategic Communications can Increase Deal ValueHaving a solid communications strategy and plan for an M&A transaction goes beyond an announcement to employees. Strategizing your company's PR even years before you're ready to buy or sell can maximize your deal value when the transaction finally takes place.
In this episode, David Tobin goes deep in his interview with PR expert Elizabeth Shea to provide listeners with action steps that can increase Enterprise Value for sellers and attract more qualified candidates for buyers.
2020-08-2518 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastHow a Private Equity Deal Can Mean More Money in Your PocketPrivate Equity (PE) firms are buying marcomm companies — but what does that mean for your agency? In this episode, Tobinleff partner and former CPA with Ernst & Young, Chuck Gottschalk, explains what Private Equity is and how PE firms can get you a bigger payday for your business. Get answers to questions like:
What is Private Equity (PE), and why would it be interested in purchasing marketing, advertising, digital, PR, and related communications agencies?
What does PE look for in acquisitions, and what makes a marketing firm attractive?
How does doing a deal with Private Equity increase what you’re l...2020-08-1840 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastSBA Lending in the Age of COVID (Feat. Adam Whitaker)For there to be a market for buying or selling an agency, there needs to be funding available. Often, especially in the case of agency sales between partners or to leadership teams, that funding takes the form of SBA financing. But, in this age of COVID, is SBA lending available?
The short answer? Yes, there is money; yes, they are lending. In this episode, co-principal Scott Leff interviews Adam Whitaker of F.N.B. Corporation to discuss in detail how today's COVID economy has impacted the world of SBA lending.2020-06-0339 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastAcquihires–M&A Opportunities Before, During & After the PandemicIn today’s COVID Economy, acquihires (sometimes referred to as “bolt-ons” or “tuck-ins”) remain a productive growth strategy for buyers, and a viable way for sellers to find a new home. In this episode, Jeff Lambert, founder and CEO of Lambert Agency and a veteran of several acquisitions, and Holt Vaughn, a partner in TobinLeff, provide information, insights, and case studies on acquihire opportunities from both the seller’s and buyer’s perspective.
2020-05-1835 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastWhat's My Next Move? (Feat. Peter Finn & Michael Kempner)How has the recent economic shock of COVID-19 changed the landscape for acquisitions? Are buyers still buying? How are valuations and multiples impacted?
More than ever, companies are now assessing if strategic acquisitions should be a part of their growth plans. To provide insights and answer questions like these, we interviewed industry leaders Peter Finn, Managing Partner of Finn Partners, and Michael Kempner, CEO of MWWPR.
Tune in to learn about the market trends they're seeing and what they recommend for M&A moving forward during COVID-19.
2020-05-0532 minThe TobinLeff M&A PodcastRegaining and Enriching Value
Building your business was hard, but COVID-19 has left many business owners wondering what the future looks like for their company value. What can we know about the future of business now that COVID-19 has entered the scene? To quote a Hollywood legend, right now "nobody knows anything." Yet there are still many insights that can be had!
Listen to the premiere episode of The TobinLeff M&A Podcast to hear the partners of TobinLeff provide unique insights on how COVID-19 is affecting today's exit planning and mergers and acquisitions market and get answers to questions like:
Is now still t...2020-04-0639 min