Success Stories
a selection of featured transactions closed over the last decade
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Social Technology Company
Growth Consultancy
A major global customer demanded expanded technical service breadth and international market coverage. Client stipulated that new locations must bring new technical capabilities and be a close cultural fit.
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We developed a comprehensive assessment of available options, focusing on key English-speaking markets to help optimize cultural fit. Extensive review ranged from strategic alliances to start-ups to acquisitions or merger. The overarching strategy was to seek out targets capable of on-going development as “Centers of Excellence” for the Client.
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Within a three-month period, we attracted and closed the acquisition of a leading-edge mobile technology start-up based in Oregon. Nine months later, a highly creative social communications / content development agency in the U.K. was acquired. MultiVisory was then hired to plan and implement the post- acquisition integration. -
Global Sales Promotion Agency Group
Growth Consultancy
Global Agency group headquartered in the UK, had recently been acquired by a Chicago based multi-national, multi-faceted supply chain group. The CEO had relocated to Chicago, but was unfamiliar with the key US, Canada and Latin American markets
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MultiVisory’s senior team worked closely with the CEO to fully understand and ultimately re-engineer the agency’s global vision.
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Taking Canada as a ‘virgin’ international territory for the agency, we helped to attract and hire Top Talent as “discipline champions” and sourced a highly visible retail-style office location to embrace and fully represent a “one-stop store” for integrated marketing communications.
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To help cement the new image template with a distinctive differentiating service capability MultiVisory targeted and negotiated the fold-in acquisition of a ‘state-of-the-art’ mobile CRM facilility.
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The Canadian operation achieved a successful two-year ‘break-even’ test market and quickly eatablished itself as a key agency partner for many of the Group’s global clients.
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MultiVisory continued to work with the group to introduce the Canadian template and image as a “Store for Marketing Services” across the network.
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The newly integrated North American management teams replicated the approach, increasing gross profits zone-wide by 46.7% and 30.1% over the first st 2 years. -
Digital Marketing Agency + Integrated Marketing Agency
Merger of Equals
An established 30person agency with strong business momentum and Fortune 500 Client list briefed us to find a financially strong, industry “Growth Partner” with complimentary service delivery, culture and client base
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Having initially taken the business to market, targeting larger organizations and achieved solid negotiating interest from over a dozen companies, MultiVisory reviewed all opportunities with our client and recommended a narrower focus on a couple of practical Merge situations.
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We held face-to face meetings with 3 companies, but quickly focused on an established 70 person, regional integrated agency with solid growth and profitability. They were more production oriented, with broad ranging clients and capabilities in Media, Mar-Tech , social engagement, video and print production.
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MultiVisory facilitated office visits and presentations, several exploratory planning sessions with full disclosure across all aspects of both parties. It became obvious that there was both a comfortable FIT between the parties and their management styles and capabilities, as well as a synergy of growth ambitions and future Exit Planning. Ultimately the 3 primary partners “Merged as Equals”, amalgamating to create a powerful growth oriented group. -
Social Technology Company
3-Phased Investment Raise
Rapid international growth behind new social technologies and a core international customer was creating significant cash flow demands to support the growth for what was still a relatively new company.
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MultiVisory worked closely with the CEO to develop a balanced Strategic Growth Pathway. This included the development of a structured 3 year Investment Plan in support of the established 3 Year Business Plan.
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We recommended the implementation of a phased approach with strategic PR programming and working initially with Friends and Family, then the Business Development Bank of Canada and ultimately US Venture Capital Groups.
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Over the 3year period, we were able to bring in Investment Capital of over $35Million.
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Year1 - C$5.5Million
Year 2 - C$2.5Million
Year 3 – US $ 25Million
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Over the same 3year period the PR campaign and supporting marketing programs resulted in major national and international awareness with prestigious awards for Innovation and Growth. -
Shopper Marketing Agency
SELL SIDE acquisition (plus Risk/Value assessment and Growth Consultancy)
SME agency with a strong market reputation, an established client list and increasing social/digital marketing capabilities had suffered 2 unexpected and unwarranted losses of key clients in a 15month period creating major cash flow pressures, but not diminishing the Owner’s ambition and vision for growth.
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Having initially contacted this Client to pitch a small Social Marketing ‘fold-in’ opportunity. MultiVisory was able to clearly understand both the financial and broader business pressures facing the client.
After recommending against the fold-in opportunity, but recognizing the sense of isolation felt by the owner and the company’s potential, we undertook an initial risk/value assessment and maintained constant coaching contact over a 10month period.
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In assessing the Risk factors, we recommended total focus on New Business Development to create evident business momentum. Over time it became obvious that the New Business focus had re-energized the agency and created the basis for future M&A opportunity as a bona fide Partner.
We decided to take the company to market as a SELL or MERGE opportunity and were able to garner negotiated interest from 8 qualified Partners before closing a highly successful WIN-WIN deal. -
Social Technology Company
BUY SIDE Acquisition (plus Growth Consultancy)
A major global customer demanded expanded technical service breadth and international market coverage. Client stipulated that new locations must bring new technical capabilities and be a close cultural fit.
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We developed a comprehensive assessment of available options, focusing on key English-speaking markets to help optimize cultural fit. Extensive review ranged from strategic alliances to start-ups to acquisitions or merger. The overarching strategy was to seek out targets capable of on-going development as “Centers of Excellence” for the Client.
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Within a three-month period, we attracted and closed the acquisition of a leading-edge mobile technology start-up based in Oregon. Nine months later, a highly creative social communications / content development agency in the U.K. was acquired. MultiVisory was then hired to plan and implement the post- acquisition integration . -
Global Integrated Marketing Agency Group
BUY-SIDE acquisition (plus Geographic Infrastructure Expansion)
Large multi-national clients were insistent on the need to expand services across the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Agency had established a start-up presence in Buenos Aires and LA which were underperforming despite establishing strong client relationships.
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Working closely with the Agency’s senior management team, MultiVisory visited with the Argentina office and met independently with each staff member as well as key client managers to assess the situation.
We then prepared an extensive strategic business plan which required an immersive level of involvement in replacing the management in Buenos Aires, closing the LA office and opening in Miami and ultimately acquiring a strong industry player in Rio de Janeiro to provide senior management in the region.
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Over an 18month period, a major ‘consolidating’ overhaul was orchestrated by our team. This included a comprehensive new business initiative crafted and undertaken in Buenos Aires along with the introduction of an experienced local General Manager. The LA office was closed and Clients were then managed remotely travelling out of Chicago.
Miami was opened and staffed to service a major automotive client. Finally our Principal utilized established MAAW network contacts, to complete the acquisition of Brazil’s largest and most successful below the line agency. -
FinTech Startup
Investment Raise and Strategic Consultancy
Founder with 30years experience in custom digital development and marketing communications drew inspiration from dealing with the complexities resulting from recent death of his father to create a disruptive technology solution to the looming issues of Legacy Transfers. This projects a market currently estimating that over $30Trillion will transfer from one generation to the next by 2040.
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Founder was an established network contact of MultiVisory’s Principal and reached out for strategic business and financial evaluation and advice against his new development initiative.
On review, it was quickly obvious that the concept, built around blockchain technologies, was well structured and represented a potential disruptive presence in focusing on the needs of the Beneficiaries rather than the diverse legal, banking and insurance companies that currently control legacy transfers.
MultiVisory provided an on-going strategic sounding board and helped review and develop market positioning and a Pathway to Growth, including plans to raise Investment funds over time.
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MultiVisory recommended a 3phased approach to gaining the necessary financial support with an initial focus on Friends and Family for a small initial offering geared to the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
The initial offering was fully subscribed, and the MVP will be ready for onward commercial presentation and user participation in early 2020.
Phase 2 will focus on larger Investors and will be initiated as soon as significant commercial sales and user build numbers can be quantified. -
Division of Global Supply Chain Management Company
Growth Consultancy, Market Assessment and Business Development Initiative
Company had enjoyed a 22year service relationship with a large global QSR chain, operating on a sector-exclusive basis. In exchange for increased financial transparency re costs/markup, the exclusivity requirement was removed by the QSR. This permitted the company to create a new sales and marketing division focused on expanding their services to a broader competitive industry set.
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MultiVisory were contracted to develop a comprehensive strategic review of the new division’s business approach, target clients and competition.
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Working closely with the Divisional Head of Sales, we initiated an intercompany survey of key stakeholders re perceived strengths, issues and opportunities.
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From these findings we initially examined operating Name options, optimal Service Mix and Market positioning, identifying and quantifying service sector value and creating an extensive Gap Analysis.
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On approval of our recommendations we then conducted a comprehensive review of 7 competitive companies and evaluated them as potential acquisition targets. Finally, we prepared and delivered a New Business Process and detailed Target list, complete with relevant contact details.
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The Divisional launch took place successfully as planned and has continued to build its business base exponentially without prejudicing the company’s core QSR client relationship. -
B2B Design Agency
SELL-SIDE acquisition and Strategic Financial Planning
Established 90 person B2B Agency with major international clients and solid Revenue and Profit history faced rapidly encroaching financial problems following the Founder’s decision to take a 6month sabbatical and leave his business in the control of a newly recruited CEO and a proven core management team. A major US based client loss and downturn in other existing client business together with the unexpected frailty of the Management team in the absence of the Founder had created the potential for a devasting financial loss and serious staffing implications.
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The founder reached out to MultiVisory to discuss his strategic options, which were to Sell 50% of his business to an Investor/Partner or to enter into Bankruptcy protection. Based on a prior 40% staff reduction, the consistently high quality of both Clients and work, plus more than a decade of business growth and profitability, we decided to take on the Sale option against a 10day time parameter.
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MultiVisory contacted a small but highly targeted list of potential North American buyers and had succeeded in exchanging NDAs and entered into negotiations with 5 qualified buyers within a week.
Ultimately the Ottawa location proved to be an impenetrable barrier to closing a deal, although we were able to present a plausible face-to-face Partnering proposal based on Debt financing.
Unfortunately our Client decided to seek Financial protection and was able to re-emerge as a 15 person shop with a now solid business pipeline. -
Social Technology Company
OTHER (Post-Acquisition Integration Planning and Implementation)
Client was growing rapidly and management could not spare the time to nurture their acquisitions, but needed to operationalize them as soon as possible to meet the demands of their expanding business.
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MultiVisory had spent an immersive year working on the acquisitions and so agreed to continue to work closely with the 2 new entities and company management to develop 2 separate integration plans and help manage the post deal integration implementation of the Client’s “Centers of Execellence” vision.
This involved heavy travel and involvement in office and people sourcing in both Portland US and London UK.
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Over an 8month period new office facilities were sourced in both locations - designed to exactly mirror the style and ambiance of the Client’s Toronto HQ.
New local hires were made to meet the immediate client needs. Select managers were parachuted in to work in the new entities. Separately both management teams were given highly structured, week-long on-boarding sessions in Toronto. The On-Boarding was then replicated for the full US and UK staff members. -
Video Training Company
OTHER (General Consultancy towards EXIT READINESS)
The Founder of an established Online Training company focusing on Six Sigma Performance, contracted MultiVisory to help guide and nurture the planned development of a new Video Training division recognizing that the ultimate intent was to be Exit Ready within 5 years.
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MultiVisory created an open-ended working contract to allow the company Founder access to one of our senior advisors ‘on demand’ as the divisional development progressed.
Discussions have so far covered market size, positioning, corporate structure, pricing, content development and contractor / video presenter performance and rewards.
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To date we have been able to meet all ad hoc consultative access requirements within a 48hour window to the unsolicited plaudits of our Client.
