For the sector, from the sector.
We are one of the very few global M&A consultancies in the sector whose consultants are entirely recruited from people who have built successful careers in the creative and digital sectors.
Consultants who know and understand your sector intimately and know the issues you are facing, supported by excellent media-literate legal, financial and tax advisors in each market. Together, we ensure you get the best advice on any growth strategy or transaction.
Senior Leadership Team
Chris Still
Chairman
Chris is Chairman and founder of Advertising M&A and heads up the global team of consultants, with his primary focus on new business.
In his time, Chris has run a fully listed UK PLC, an IPG operating company, a Top-10 advertising agency, founded two creative shops that were both Runner-Up Agency of the Year and created the No.1 media agency in the UK at the time. He’s also very proud of devising and writing a TV golf series called A Golfer’s Travels with Peter Alliss that enabled him to meet Gene Hackman, Alan Shepherd, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Alice Cooper amongst other luminaries.
Rick Palmer
Global Partner & Managing Director
Rick is a highly experienced digital entrepreneur who has built a number of successful digital businesses and advised FTSE 100/Fortune 500 companies.
He has had personal experience of M&A during this time, setting up and selling several businesses in social, gaming, publishing and creative design & build. He has been leading the UK, Europe, LATAM and East Coast US business for Advertising M&A for over 10 years now, during which time he has helped countless independent agencies with growth & exit.
Russ Jarman Price
Global Partner, US & N America
Russ has been in the business for over 30 years & has worked in 3 of London’s top Creative agencies before co-founding Still Price Court with Chris Still.
After selling it he moved into Film/ TV as CD of AIM-listed Winchester Entertainment & then moved back into advertising as Creative Partner Ogilvy London and Chairman of Ogilvy Caribbean. Russ now leads Advertising M&A on the West Coast US & Canada.
Thomas Funk
Global Partner (EMEA & APAC)
We are delighted and proud to welcome Thomas to our consultancy as Global Partner for EMEA & APAC. His considerable experience as a Marketing & Comms expert at the global agencies includes C-level positions at Havas, Omnicom & WPP.
Between 2007 and 2022 he had major leadership roles including CEO Havas Germany & MD of Havas Europe, CEO of DDB Tribal and Global CEO of RAPP. He is a true heavy hitter and should bring considerable experience in advising companies looking for c- suite growth advice.Worldwide
Simon Bolton
Executive Consultant
Simon is true global superstar in our industry. Following a 20 year career with WPP joins us as an Executive Consultant, supporting and introducing us to his extensive network built over a 35 year international career. He began his career at Ogilvy in London, Asia Pacific and New York & then was Regional President FCB South East Asia, CEO JWT UK and Ireland, Worldwide CEO of Brand Union, Chairman FITCH Worldwide, CEO, Group -XP and most recently served as Exec Chairman of Superunion.
EMEA
Simon Milliship, UK & EMEA
Senior Partner
Simon joins us after a highly successful career with WPP as a business strategy and brand experience leader with global client expertise. Most recently working at VMLY&R for the previous ten years as Regional Executive Director of VML EMEA and Exec. Digital Director Y&R EMEA. During this time he was responsible for the digital quality of VML and Y&R including M&A meeting and negotiating with the best digital agencies globally. He is primarily responsible for the EMEA region with Adv M&A.
EMEA
Oliver Brügmann, EMEA
Senior Partner
Oliver has been a very successful leader in the European digital agency landscape over the past 15 years, with experience in business strategy, business development, marketing, and digital transformation across many sectors. Prior to joining Adv M&A he founded and sold his digital agency to DEPT®, where he, as Managing Director led significant growth and integration initiatives in the European market.
His particular expertise is driving value creation through digital innovation, brand development & M&A.
His expertise will considerably increase our strength with advising digital agencies in their growth.
UK
Rob Reid, UK & EMEA
Senior Partner
Rob has led or advised many media and digital businesses over the last 25 years - including extensive experience at the sharp end of agency management. He is the co-founder of the no 1 Irish digital agency In the Company of Huskies (formerly Cybercom) and more recently co-founded three B2B data / insight platforms across emerging and disruptive sectors. Rob has been with Adv M&A for nine years and is responsible for Europe as well as SaaS / Martech client business.
UK
Alastair Purcell
Senior Partner, UK & EMEA
After a career in mainstream advertising agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi, Alastair has focused over the past ten years on the production and post production field at two of the world’s largest post production companies. His expertise includes content production and post production delivery and he is equally comfortable in the agency, digital or production world advising how companies should deliver best value.
MENA
Nick Clements
Partner, MENA
A highly experienced advertising and marketing leader, Nick has spent many years working with great agencies and brands around the World including FCB, Still Price Lintas, Bates, JWT, INNOCEAN, Ogilvy & BPG in London, Frankfurt, Seoul, Dublin & Dubai. During this time he has worked with clients across multiple sectors including Aston Martin, BAT, Cadbury, Diageo, Etihad, Hilton, Heineken, Heinz, HP, HSCB, Hyundai, J&J, Kimberly Clark, Nestle, NatWest, Pfizer, TAG , Tourism Ireland and Unilever. Based in Dubai where he runs his own marketing & talent consultancy, Nick gives us expertise & insight into executive search in the region.
UK
Phil Goodman
Partner, Small Businesses
After a 30 year career as an agency owner and CEO, Phil recently sold his agency Brandwidth to Next15 Plc. He built this business through a process of M&A and is ideally equipped to advise agencies on their own growth and exit journey.
Advertising M&A were instrumental in helping Phil achieve his ambition for Brandwidth and we are delighted that he has agreed to now work with us to help comparable agencies achieve their ambitions.
UK & Europe
Tim Miller
Snr. Consultant
Tim has had a very successful agency career as founder, investor and director in several successful enterprises over the past thirty years. His previous venture just before joining Adv M&A was as founder and Chairman of Group Positive for 10 years and during that time was also a founding shareholder in Eagle Eye Solutions, who are now listed on the Aim market. Group Positive was recently acquired by The Candid Platform in January 2022 and Tim has now joined Adv M&A as a Senior Consultant looking after UK & European clients.
China
Stephen Barry, APAC
Snr. Consultant
Stephen is based in Hong Kong and has had great experience running agencies there since 1994. He has excellent contacts in mainland China as well as Singapore and his strategic insights combined with his contacts will be a considerable advantage when finding and advising agencies on growth and exit’.