We help you scale with purpose by challenging legacy agency models, leading organizational change, and activating new revenue streams.

The marketing world is changing faster than we could ever have imagined—budgets are tighter, stakeholder expectations are higher, and new technologies are reshaping the way brands and agencies work together.

For many, this creates pressure. For us, it’s the perfect moment to rethink, adapt, and grow. To turn the disruption into opportunity.

We help leaders seize that opportunity. By combining deep industry experience with practical strategies for growth, we equip agencies, investors, and brands to sharpen their positioning, modernize operations, and unlock new value.

We believe the future will belong to those who challenge legacy models, lead the change, and ultimately scale with purpose.

Creativity, Collaboration & Collective Strength

The worker bee has long symbolized theManchester's character—hardworking, creative, and resilient—which is the same spirit we bring to our work as strategic growth partners

In the 19th century, our founder’s hometown of Manchester became known as the world’s first industrial city. The worker bee has long symbolized the city’s character—hardworking, creative, and resilient—which is the same spirit we bring to our work as strategic growth partners. Just like a hive, real progress comes from creativity, collaboration, and purpose. That’s the mindset we apply when helping agencies, investors, and brands sharpen their strategy, strengthen their teams, and create real value.

Manchester’s creativity thrives on a spirit of innovation, independence, and cultural boldness, driving world-changing ideas in music, art, science, and design.
In the 19th century, our founder, John Dunleavy's, hometown of Manchester became known as the world’s first industrial city.
In the 19th century, our founder, John Dunleavy's, hometown of Manchester became known as the world’s first industrial city.

John Dunleavy, Founder

John Dunleavy is a global advertising, media and communications executive best known for leading award-winning agencies and advising the most iconic brands in the world.

I’ve spent my career leading agencies and advising some of the world’s most iconic brands, from Coca-Cola and IBM to Microsoft, Diageo, and Unilever. Along the way, I’ve learned how to grow revenue, create new income streams, and build solutions that blend creativity, data, and technology to deliver real business outcomes.

My work has been recognized with hundreds of industry awards, but what matters most to me is helping leaders unlock their full potential—whether that’s a founder scaling their agency, an investor building portfolio value, or a brand team rethinking how to work with partners.

Beyond my advisory work, I serve as a board member of the Borough of Manhattan Community College Foundation and as a Trustee of Factory International in the UK. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me on a bike, at a live show, exploring the arts, or traveling with my wife and two sons.

How We Can Help

For Founder-Led & Independent Agencies

The worker bee has long symbolized theManchester's character—hardworking, creative, and resilient—which is the same spirit we bring to our work as strategic growth partners

We help founder-led creative, social, and digital agencies accelerate growth, expand margins, and build the operational discipline needed to compete and scale:

  • Positioning and differentiation

  • Go-to-market and growth strategies

  • Pitch strategy and support

  • Operational excellence and margin expansion

  • Leadership and organizational development

For Private Equity & Investors

The worker bee has long symbolized theManchester's character—hardworking, creative, and resilient—which is the same spirit we bring to our work as strategic growth partners

We advise PE firms and investors on creating and unlocking value across their marketing services portfolios.

  • Buy and sell-side advisory

  • Post-acquisition integration and optimization

  • Organizational design and development

  • Talent strategy and acquisition

For Brand Marketers & Internal Agencies

The worker bee has long symbolized theManchester's character—hardworking, creative, and resilient—which is the same spirit we bring to our work as strategic growth partners

We help brands modernize their agency ecosystems to drive more integrated, effective, and measurable outcomes.

  • Ecosystem design and optimization

  • Unlocking value from teams, tools, and partners

  • Integrated marketing strategy and process

  • Agency search

Agency

Experience

fArmstrong B2B
AKQA
Craft
Digitas
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Brand Marketers

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General Motors
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Contact us.