With Clients Like Starbucks And NIKE, Blast Radius Was Irresistible To Acquirers

Digital marketing agency Blast Radius went from 10 people to more than 400 in less that 10 years, ultimately attracting the attention of WPP who acquired them in 2007. Here’s how they did it.

Blast Radius was a digital marketing agency with 10 employees when Steve Harmer joined in 1999. Clients like Starbucks and NIKE wanted to move quickly into the digital age and Blast Radius was well situated to help.

In less than 10 years, Blast Radius grew to 400 employees, which is when one of the world’s largest advertising companies came knocking.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The pros & cons of using employee stock options
• How to finance hyper-growth
• How marketing services are valued
• How to protect yourself in an earn-out

Blast Radius attracted two strategic acquirers because both WPP and Publicis wanted to beef up their digital offers. Identifying your possible strategic buyers is the goal of the Short List Builder tool in Module 11 of The Value Builder System™. Get started for free right now by completing Module 1.

Check out our article on How To Get The Attention Of An Acquirer.

Check out our full M&A Glossary

About Our Guest

Harmer has been involved as an Executive, Founder, CEO, Investor and Board Member in several high tech and high growth startups. He has lead product development, sales, and client services, helped lead international expansion including opening and leading remote offices, been the CEO of two startups, and led and participated in several rounds of angel and venture funding. He is currently focusing on Blockchain technologies with his company GenesisB.