Senior Media Advisory

Operating experience.
Strategic impact.

I help media businesses run better — for their clients, their people, and their bottom line.

Oak Run Media works with media agencies, private equity investors, and brand advertisers who need more than advice — they need counsel built on real P&L accountability and 30 years of operating at the highest levels of the industry.

Book a call What we do
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Services

Where Oak Run
adds value

01
Fractional CEO / COO
Interim or part-time executive leadership for agencies in transition, turnaround, or acquisition integration — with full operating accountability, not just advisory distance.
02
PE Due Diligence & Value Creation
Operational and commercial assessment of media agency targets pre-acquisition. Post-close value creation planning focused on EBITDA improvement and management capability.
03
Agency Profitability Transformation
Margin improvement through process standardisation, offshore adoption, technology rationalisation, and client profitability discipline. A proven playbook with measurable outcomes.
04
Media Investment Advisory
Independent counsel for brands on TV and omnichannel buying performance, agency trading transparency, contract review, and media audit — drawing on $18BN in managed billings experience.
05
Board & Non-Executive Advisory
Strategic independent oversight for growing agencies and media-adjacent technology businesses — bringing operating, M&A, and investor relations experience to board-level challenge and accountability.
Clients

Who we
work with

Media Agencies
Independent and PE-backed agencies navigating leadership transition, operational underperformance, acquisition integration, or preparation for sale. Engagements range from fractional COO to full interim CEO.
Private Equity
Investors seeking rigorous operational due diligence on media and marketing services acquisitions, and value creation expertise post-close. Experience working inside PE-owned businesses at CEO level.
Brands & Advertisers
Marketing and procurement leaders requiring independent counsel on agency selection, media trading transparency, buying performance, and omnichannel investment strategy — without agency-side conflicts.
Performance Marketing Businesses
Growth-stage and PE-backed performance marketing businesses looking to scale operations, improve profitability, integrate acquisitions, or position for exit — drawing on direct experience building and turning around businesses in this sector.
Track Record

Built on
operating experience

CEO — Turnaround PE-backed Performance Marketing Agency, US
Recruited to lead a comprehensive business turnaround — projecting 35% EBITDA growth, improving digital group profitability 6x (3% to 18%), and increasing new business campaign success rates from 22% to over 55%.
COO, Media US Dentsu — $500M Revenue, 3,000 People
Mapped 140 distinct operational tasks across seven agencies, reducing task completion time by 75% through process standardisation and automation — creating capacity for onshore teams to focus on higher-value work.
President, Amplifi Dentsu Aegis Network — $18BN Annual Billings
Led all media buying across channels and technologies. Doubled revenue and profit contribution through strategic turnaround. Developed proprietary TV optimisation tools delivering a 17% performance advantage for several of the largest advertisers in the US.
Global Head of Investment Dentsu — London & Global Markets
Launched Amplifi as the global media investment platform for Dentsu Aegis Network. Won major global accounts including General Motors, Vodafone, Diageo, and Ferrero. Established leveraged buying operations in key markets worldwide.
Contact

Let's have a
direct conversation.

Oak Run Media works with a small number of clients at any one time. If you're exploring a mandate where operating experience — not just strategic advice — is what's needed, reach out directly.

Lucas Cridland
Founder, Oak Run Media
30 years across Dentsu, Omnicom, Hudson MX,
MTV Networks and Walker Media.
New York, NY
Book a call
calendly.com/lucas-oakrunmedia
Email
lucas@oakrunmedia.com
Phone
646-512-4842
LinkedIn
Lucas Cridland
Currently active
Advising a US advertiser on TV buying strategy and media investment optimisation.