Strategics
M&A Update
2025 H1
A Look Back
A Less Active Half.
Our core strategic universe completed less transactions than year prior as strategics grappled with the impact of AI and H1's uncertain macro climate.
H1
28
2024
24
2025
Giants colliding.
As Omnicom and IPG continue to seek regulatory approval for their mega-merger, focus has been on internal restructuring + initiatives as well as negotiating conditions with various legislative authorities.
Notable H1 Activity
Geography
Builders are focused on expanding their network across core geographies.
Social
Publicis further scaled its influencer offering with tech-first and geographic expansion.
Platforms
Real-time data-driven intelligence through proprietary, platform based technologies.
A Deeper Dive
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A Look Ahead
Seismic Shifts
The landscape of megas is poised for further transformation.
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Carve-outs, take privates, consolidation - all-of-the above?
PE Buy-and-Build-and-Build-and-Build
Scaled assets are deep into their holding periods but broader market uncertainty will shift planned sales/IPOs and potentially drive more add-ons to further grow value.
Social As Core
With marketers positioning their brands at the center of the social sphere, agency offerings will evolve. Influencer will drive forward with further AI-driven innovation, experiential will grow in importance, and brand creative will be social first.
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To Be Global, Be Local
Global clients require global scale. Challengers need to invest further across net-new geographies to better serve scaled clients and established players need to re-trench in an increasingly fragmented geo-political environment.
The Missing Puzzle Piece
As media continues to grow more automated, personalized, and AI-driven, demand has risen for assets that can produce content at scale.
Stay In Touch.
PHARUS Advisors
Shaping the future of digital services, marketing, and technology
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