2026 M&A SENTIMENT SURVEY FOR THE MARKETING SERVICES INDUSTRY

It’s that time of year again when we’re excited to share our annual M&A Sentiment Survey for the Marketing Services Industry. This one-of-a-kind analysis offers a data-backed view of how agency owners, strategic buyers, and financial investors are thinking about today's M&A market. We hope it proves valuable as you evaluate your strategic priorities and long-term growth plans.

This survey represents the culmination of months of interviews and surveys with a diverse group of professionals, including founders, CEOs, holding company executives, and private equity investors. Our sample comprises individuals currently invested in advertising agencies or marketing services platforms, those considering investments, as well as leaders of full-service agencies and other prominent companies within the sector.

This year's findings point to a market that remains active, but increasingly selective. Industry leaders continue to express confidence in deal activity, while placing greater emphasis on high-quality, differentiated businesses—a theme we've heard consistently throughout our research.

We hope you find this analysis insightful and encourage you to reach out if you’d like to discuss specific trends or observations in greater detail.