Agency Portfolio: $50M+ Under Management
PE-Backed Portfolio | 100+ Brands | iOS 14 Transition | Successful Acquisition
Ad Spend
$50M+
Managed annually
Portfolio
100+
Brands managed
iOS 14
Success
Smooth transition
PE Exit
Validated
Acquisition approved
The Challenge
A PE-backed marketing agency managing $50M+ in annual ad spend needed technical due diligence for their pending acquisition. Additionally, they faced the iOS 14 attribution collapse that devastated agency profitability industry-wide.
Key Problems:
- • PE due diligence requirements—validate systems, processes, and performance claims
- • iOS 14 attribution collapse—industry-wide panic, client churn risk
- • Portfolio optimization—100+ brands with varying maturity and performance
- • Account management scalability—agency needed 3X capacity without hiring
- • Performance reporting transparency—PE buyers demanded quantified proof
This wasn't a typical consulting engagement. It was a PE acquisition defense: prove the agency's systems work, navigate iOS 14, and validate the business model under scrutiny.
The Approach
Three-Phase Engagement:
- Phase 1: Due diligence framework - Audit systems, validate claims, document processes
- Phase 2: iOS 14 transition strategy - Deploy post-ATT measurement, preserve client performance
- Phase 3: Portfolio optimization - Systematic account management, reporting infrastructure
Infrastructure Deployed:
- • Due diligence documentation framework—systematic process audit
- • iOS 14 attribution replacement—MMM, incrementality testing
- • Portfolio-level reporting dashboard—aggregated performance visibility
- • Account management automation—3X capacity without hiring
- • Client retention protocols—proactive communication framework
- • Performance validation system—PE-grade proof documentation
The engagement served dual purposes: validate the acquisition for PE buyers while simultaneously deploying iOS 14 survival infrastructure. The agency needed to prove past performance AND demonstrate future resilience.
The Results
PE acquisition validated | iOS 14 transition successful | $50M+ portfolio maintained
Due diligence approved | Zero client churn through iOS 14 | 3X account management capacity
Quantified Outcomes:
- • PE acquisition: Successfully closed, due diligence validated all claims
- • iOS 14 transition: Zero client churn, maintained portfolio performance
- • Portfolio management: $50M+ ad spend maintained through transition
- • Account capacity: 3X account management capacity without new hires
- • Client retention: 98% retention rate through iOS 14 panic
- • Reporting infrastructure: Portfolio-level visibility for PE ownership
PE Validation:
The due diligence framework we built became the agency's operational standard. PE buyers validated every performance claim. The acquisition closed successfully.
iOS 14 Success:
While competitors faced 30-50% client churn post-iOS 14, this agency maintained 98% retention. The attribution replacement infrastructure worked. Client performance was preserved.
Key Learnings
PE due diligence demands quantified proof
Anecdotes don't pass PE scrutiny. Every claim needs data. Every process needs documentation.
iOS 14 separated systematic from heroic
Agencies with infrastructure survived. Agencies dependent on guesswork collapsed. Systems won.
Portfolio-level optimization requires aggregation infrastructure
100+ brands need systematic management. Manual oversight doesn't scale.
Account management capacity is an infrastructure problem
3X capacity increase without hiring wasn't efficiency—it was automation. Build the infrastructure.
Need PE-Grade Infrastructure?
We deploy due diligence frameworks and portfolio management infrastructure that passes PE scrutiny.
