I run Hawke Media with a simple goal: be the easiest, most effective marketing partner for people who need real results. That mission shapes every choice I make. It’s also why I believe strategic acquisitions are the most reliable way to scale quality and impact.
Over the past few years, my team and I acquired more than 20 companies. We did it to raise the bar for clients and to give great founders a bigger platform. Buying smart is often better than building slow. That stance gets pushback, but the results speak for themselves.
“We’re trying to build the best marketing partner to the masses… and that’s really hard to achieve by just hiring great people and building up the company organically.” — Erik Huberman
Why I Bet On Acquisitions
There are countless small agencies doing strong work. Many hit a ceiling. They face the cost of systems, ops, data, compliance, training, and cross-channel execution. We’ve already built that backbone at Hawke Media. When we join forces, the ceiling disappears.
Here’s how it works. We find founders who built tight teams and loyal client bases. We plug them into our platform: shared tech, proven playbooks, finance, legal, recruiting, and sales. They bring specialized talent and client relationships. We add scale, support, and reach. The result is acceleration on day one.
“We can make one plus one equal three… we give them our infrastructure, we get their talent and clients… and it creates exponential growth.” — Erik Huberman
The Case For “Buy And Build”
Organic growth has limits. Hiring one by one is slow. Training takes time. Clients need outcomes now. Acquisitions collapse time. They let us deliver broader expertise with higher consistency across channels and industries.
People worry deals hurt culture or confuse clients. I get it. But that happens when buyers force sameness. We take the opposite path. We protect what makes each team special and give them tools to scale it. That’s how you keep quality high while expanding reach.
- Clients get deeper skill sets without juggling multiple vendors.
- Founders gain stability, resources, and bigger opportunities for their teams.
- Employees access clearer career paths and better training.
- Our partners see faster execution and smarter strategy.
This only works if you’re selective. Not every agency is a fit. I look for culture alignment, shared standards, and leaders who care about outcomes more than optics. If those aren’t there, we pass. Growth for its own sake is vanity. We scale what works.
What I’ve Learned From 20+ Deals
Acquisitions win when they solve real problems for clients and founders. The best deals are not about logos. They are about pairing strengths in a way that compounds. Great talent plus proven infrastructure beats size alone.
Some say this approach stifles entrepreneurship. My experience says the opposite. Many founders want to keep building, but not fight payroll, HR, and vendor sprawl every week. By removing that weight, they can focus on craft and clients. That’s not selling out. That’s leveling up.
How To Know It’s Time To Acquire
If you run an agency or a service business, look for these signs. They suggest a smart acquisition will outperform a slow hire-and-hope plan.
- Clients keep asking for a capability you only sometimes deliver.
- Your best people are burning out covering gaps.
- You’re losing deals because buyers want one accountable partner.
- Your ops can handle more demand, but pipeline is uneven.
- You find a team with strong retention and repeatable wins.
Each of those points signals a leverage play. Add the right team, plug them into your system, and speed follows.
The Bottom Line
My opinion is clear: acquisitions, done with discipline, are the fastest path to better outcomes for everyone involved. Clients get more value. Teams get more support. Founders get room to grow. This isn’t growth theater—it’s practical scale.
If you’re a founder running a great shop and wondering what’s next, let’s talk. If you’re a leader stuck between build or buy, run the math on time, quality, and client needs. Pick the path that gets great work into the world sooner. That’s how we raise the standard in our industry—one smart deal at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you decide which agencies to acquire?
I look for cultural fit, proof of results, strong client retention, and leaders who care about outcomes. If our values and standards align, we move forward.
Q: What happens to the acquired team’s identity?
We keep what makes them special and add resources. The goal is to amplify their strengths, not erase them. Clients should feel continuity and more support.
Q: Do clients see disruptions during a merger?
They shouldn’t. We map every account and transition in phases. The client experience comes first, with added services coming only when it helps.
Q: Why not just hire and train instead of buying?
Hiring one by one is slow and risky. Acquisitions bring proven teams, systems, and relationships that deliver results much faster.
Q: What value do founders gain after selling to Hawke Media?
They gain scale, stability, shared services, and a larger stage for their work. Many keep leading, but with fewer distractions and more room to grow.
