TobinLeff served as the exclusive advisor to The Martin Group in planning, analyzing, negotiating, and closing a strategic investment from the Hearst Corporation. The transaction provided Martin with a significant cash injection as well as entry to Hearst’s network of businesses worldwide to capitalize on growth opportunities. The founder of The Martin Group, Tod Martin, remains as the majority shareholder. George Hearst, III is joining the Board of The Martin Group.
In addition to the transaction with Hearst, TobinLeff assisted with the development of a long-range succession plan. The plan included advising on how two key Martin executives, Lisa Strock and Matt Davison, became shareholders.
Tod Martin commented about the services TobinLeff provided. “David Tobin was a key advisor throughout every step of the planning and negotiation process. While our agency had made some small acquisitions in the past, this was our first major M&A transaction, and TobinLeff’s experience and support brought much needed clarity and the confidence to proceed. David helped me focus on the important points of the deal, while providing a combination of expedience and persistence to get it over the finish-line.”
About The Martin Group
Founder in 2001, The Martin Group is an integrated marketing agency based in Buffalo, New York with offices in Rochester and Albany, New York. The agency has 80+ employees with annual billings of $17 million.
About Hearst
Hearst is a leading global, diversified media, information and services company with more than 360 businesses. Its major interests include ownership in television stations, newspapers, cable television networks, magazines, and digital entertainment companies.
About TobinLeff
TobinLeff is an M&A advisory and exit planning consulting firm that helps owners of marketing, advertising, PR, digital, and related marketing services build and monetize enterprise value. Now in its 10th year of service, TobinLeff has helped more than 125 clients buy or sell companies and complete exit planning engagements.
