25 years helping agency founders see the story behind their numbers, and build businesses that run without surprises.
Years of CFO & COO experience
Years as MediaCom CFO
Agencies Advised
EBITDA Margins Achieved
Success in
I've built my career at the intersection of finance, operations, and marketing services, helping agencies and organizations scale, transform, and prepare for growth or sale.
Trusted by leaders at
You built something real. Revenue is up, the team has grown, clients keep coming. But somewhere along the way, the financial and operational infrastructure fell behind.
Does that sound like you?
Cash flow surprises you more than it should. Margins feel like guesswork. You know something's off, but you don't have the visibility to see it in the numbers. Your P&L was built for your accountant, not for running the business.
You're busy, but not profitable. Projects that should make money somehow don't. Your team is overworked and you're still not hitting targets. Nobody wants to have the awkward conversation about what's in scope and what isn't.
What got you to $5M won't get you to $15M. You're the bottleneck for every decision. Your best people are burning out or leaving. The systems that worked when you were small are breaking under the weight.
You can't confide in your team without worrying them. Your accountant thinks in compliance, not strategy. Half of all CEOs report feeling isolated in ways that hurt their performance. You're not alone in feeling alone.
Cash flow surprises you more than it should. Margins feel like guesswork. You know something's off, but you don't have the visibility to see it in the numbers. Your P&L was built for your accountant, not for running the business.
You're busy, but not profitable. Projects that should make money somehow don't. Your team is overworked and you're still not hitting targets. Nobody wants to have the awkward conversation about what's in scope and what isn't.
What got you to $5M won't get you to $15M. You're the bottleneck for every decision. Your best people are burning out or leaving. The systems that worked when you were small are breaking under the weight.
You can't confide in your team without worrying them. Your accountant thinks in compliance, not strategy. Half of all CEOs report feeling isolated in ways that hurt their performance. You're not alone in feeling alone.
I can help you with...
This is a perfect fit if...
You're a founder or CEO scaling past what your current systems can handle
You're PE-backed and need someone who speaks investor language fluently
You're preparing for a sale and want to know if the business is actually ready
You need executive-level financial and operational guidance, without the full-time overhead
You want honest feedback, not just validation
I work with agency leaders who want a partner, not another vendor. Someone who's been in the chair and will tell you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
24-year-old independent agency needed operational discipline to improve profitability, reduce turnover, and prepare for what's next.
Introduced value-based pricing, integrated ERP and CRM systems, restructured talent function, chaired AI Steering Committee.
Agency positioned for sale
Founder-led audio agency without the infrastructure to scale. No CFO, limited visibility, no clear path to profitability.
Built financial and operational infrastructure from scratch. Cut costs, improved utilization, mentored founder through the transition.
Positioned company for successful sale
Trade association needed to deliver more value to member agencies navigating pricing, compensation, M&A, and COVID disruption.
Founded first-ever M&A Advisory Service, launched real-time compensation benchmarking, led emergency programming during COVID.
Expanded strategic advisory services across the industry
PE-backed holding company with five separate agencies. Different systems, different processes, no unified reporting.
Integrated financial and CRM systems, instituted weekly PE reporting, compressed month-end close from 9 to 5 days.
Achieved PE transaction readiness
Major media agency needed financial leadership to drive growth and profitability across U.S., Canada, and LATAM operations.
Rebuilt finance teams, embedded margin discipline, diversified client base across Volkswagen, Dell, Subway, Revlon, Shell, and Bayer.
Adweek Media Agency of the Year, 2015
Traditional finance role at a growing digital agency. Needed to prove finance could be a strategic growth partner, not just a compliance function.
Built trust with client leaders, procurement, and operations teams. Shifted into a client-facing finance role. Promoted to General Manager of Modem Media after Digitas acquisition. Led integration of Modem Media into Digitas, then both into Publicis.
Demonstrated finance as a strategic, relationship-driven function
“In my work with Mark, he assembled an amazing multi-disciplinary project team that he managed with deft skill and knowledge. Each and every interaction with Mark has been a pleasure due to his professionalism and his knack for providing open and honest feedback. You always know where you stand with him.”
DBDavid BrazdaPartner Development, AccountingDepartment.com
“Mark is one of the most honest and honorable leaders I've had the pleasure to work with. He mentors people in a way that brings out their best while advancing the organization's goals. His strategic thinking, operational expertise, and mastery of contract negotiations consistently strengthens company profitability and clarity.”
BFBarney FeinbergFounder & CEO, The Chemistry Factor
“From his time at the 4As advising member firms to being a CFO/COO at national agencies and media companies, Mark really knows the ins and outs of the business. His financial acumen and trusted counsel are invaluable to improve operations, optimize financial performance, or assess strategic investments and acquisitions.”
“I've seen Mark work across a wide range of agencies and challenges, and what stands out is both the depth and range of his expertise. He understands the strategic, commercial and operational realities they face. Mark's advice is thoughtful, practical, and immediately useful.”
MRMollie RosenPresident - Member Experience, 4A's
“We consider Mark Piazza a trusted advisor. His strategic financial counsel and integrity have been a foundation reference guide for our independent agency ever since. Mark's willingness to help us navigate new challenges, including how best to build relationships and strategically negotiate with procurement teams, has been invaluable.”
JSJessica SavagePresident & CEO, Dixon Schwabl + Company
“Mark Piazza brings a rare combination of deep agency experience and sharp operational and financial expertise. I've worked closely with Mark for over 10 years and consistently benefited from his guidance on key metrics, operating ratios, and strategic decisions. Mark is someone I trust completely and would turn to first with any agency challenge.”
PBPete Barr Jr.CEO, &Barr
“Mark brought real CFO-level clarity to our business, especially when we needed steady, practical guidance. He's analytical, calm under pressure, and consistently turns messy situations into actionable plans.”
KKKevin KellyFounder & CXO, LiveSmart.ai
I started in finance because I liked the certainty. Left side or right side of the balance sheet. Black and white.
Then I learned that real leadership lives in the gray.
Over 25 years, I've held CFO and COO roles inside global networks like WPP, under PE ownership, and alongside independent founders. I've grown a $100M agency to $400M. I've taken businesses from break-even to 20% EBITDA. I've prepared companies for sale and helped them get there.
What I've learned: every dollar should mean something. Every hire should have a purpose. Every decision should tie back to a goal you can measure.
I work best with leaders who want a partner, someone who'll be in the room for the hard conversations and tell you the truth, even when it's easier not to.
Mark S. Piazza
Fractional CFO & COO
I started in finance because I liked the certainty. Left side or right side of the balance sheet. Black and white.
Then I learned that real leadership lives in the gray.
Over 25 years, I've held CFO and COO roles inside global networks like WPP, under PE ownership, and alongside independent founders. I've grown a $100M agency to $400M. I've taken businesses from break-even to 20% EBITDA. I've prepared companies for sale and helped them get there.
What I've learned: every dollar should mean something. Every hire should have a purpose. Every decision should tie back to a goal you can measure.
I work best with leaders who want a partner, someone who'll be in the room for the hard conversations and tell you the truth, even when it's easier not to.
Contact
My team and I work with a small number of clients at a time. If you're building something real and want a partner who'll give you the full picture, let's have a conversation.
New York Metropolitan Area - Available in-person or remote