Agencies.co vs Tresle: Agency M&A Compared
Choosing the right platform or advisor for your agency M&A transaction is one of the most important decisions you will make. Both Agencies.co and Tresle offer pathways to buying or selling a business, but they differ in focus, approach, and the type of seller they serve best. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make an informed choice.
We believe in honest comparisons. Tresle has genuine strengths, and there are situations where they may be the better fit. Our goal is to help you understand the differences so you can choose the right partner for your specific situation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Agencies.co | Tresle |
|---|---|---|
| Specialization | Marketing agencies only | Creative and marketing agency M&A |
| Deal Size Range | $500K – $30M+ | $2M – $20M |
| Pricing Model | Transparent tiered pricing | Success fee + advisory retainer |
| Advisory Support | Full M&A advisory included | Full M&A advisory for creative industry |
| Time to Close | 90 days average | 4-8 months typical |
| Buyer Network | Vetted agency buyers | Creative industry buyer network |
| Free Valuation | Yes | Consultation-based |
About Agencies.co
Agencies.co is a marketplace and advisory platform built exclusively for marketing agency M&A. Every aspect of the platform — from valuation methodology to buyer network to deal structuring — is designed specifically for the marketing and communications agency sector. Founded to help agency owners navigate the complex process of buying, selling, or merging their businesses, Agencies.co offers transparent pricing, hands-on advisory, and a vetted network of agency-focused buyers. With a target close time of 90 days, the platform is built for speed, simplicity, and outcome.
About Tresle
Tresle is an M&A advisory firm focused on the creative and marketing industry. They understand the unique dynamics of agency businesses — the importance of creative talent, client relationships, and cultural fit in transactions. Their team brings experience in creative industry M&A, and they position themselves as advisors who speak the language of agency owners. Tresle works with agencies in the $2M to $20M range and provides full-service advisory from valuation through closing.
Key Differences
Creative Focus vs Full Marketing
Tresle focuses more heavily on creative agencies — branding, design, advertising, and creative services. Agencies.co covers the full spectrum of marketing and communications agencies, including digital, performance, data analytics, and technology-driven agencies. If your agency is at the intersection of marketing and technology, Agencies.co may have more relevant buyers.
Self-Serve Options
Tresle operates as a traditional advisory firm with retainer engagements. Agencies.co offers multiple tiers including self-serve listing options for agencies that want marketplace exposure without full advisory costs. This flexibility gives agency owners more choices in how they approach their sale.
Buyer Network Breadth
Tresle’s buyer network is focused on creative industry acquirers. Agencies.co’s network spans the full marketing services sector, including PE firms building multi-discipline platforms. For agencies that span creative and digital disciplines, broader buyer exposure can produce more competitive offers.
Who Should Use Tresle
Tresle may be a better fit if you are selling a traditional creative agency (branding, design, advertising) and want advisors with deep creative industry roots, prefer a boutique advisory relationship with creative sector expertise, value cultural alignment with advisors who understand the creative business, or have an agency in their $2M to $20M range.
Who Should Use Agencies.co
Agencies.co is the better choice if your agency spans digital, performance, data, or technology-driven marketing, you want flexible engagement options from self-serve to full advisory, need access to a broader buyer network including PE firms and digital acquirers, or want transparent published pricing rather than traditional advisory retainers.
Pricing Comparison
Tresle uses traditional advisory pricing — retainer plus success fee — typical of boutique M&A advisory firms. Agencies.co offers transparent tiered pricing with multiple service levels. For similar deal sizes, comparing total cost and included services will help determine the better value.
The Verdict
Tresle is one of the few M&A firms that genuinely understands the creative agency business, making them a strong option for traditional creative and branding agencies. For agencies with significant digital, performance, or data analytics components, Agencies.co’s broader marketing services focus may attract more relevant buyers and produce better outcomes. Both firms are better options for agency owners than generalist brokers who do not understand agency-specific dynamics.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are leaning toward Agencies.co or still evaluating options, the best next step is to understand what your agency is worth. Our free valuation gives you an honest, data-driven assessment with no obligation.
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