The Founding of Madison Alley
Our Story
In the early 2000s, pioneering founders led digital-native agencies and technology companies as Silicon Alley (NYC) emerged, challenging the traditional approaches of Madison Avenue advertising.
The Beginning
Madison Alley was born in honor of those bold founders, establishing the first advisory firm specialized in strategic corporate development, M&A and capital advisory for digital marketing, media, commerce and technology companies.
Two Decades of Excellence
Our founding spirit endures as we advise the most innovative leaders defining the future of the industry—delivering strategic value through deep expertise and an unwavering commitment to client success.
Madison Alley Pioneered Strategic Corporate Development Advisory Services
At the dawn of the digital revolution, we pioneered strategic M&A advisory for digital-native companies while traditional investment banks were still learning the space.
Over 20 Years of Strategic Transactions
We've successfully completed strategic transactions representing $2B+ in deal value across digital marketing, media, and commerce sectors.
Industry Expertise
Led by former CEOs and corporate development executives who have built, bought, and sold digital companies themselves.
Landmark Deals
Advisor on industry-defining transactions including Heat to Deloitte Digital, creating "the world's first creative digital consultancy."
Transactions with Global Buyers & Investors
What Makes Us Different?
Why Madison Alley?
When considering a transaction, you need a partner who understands your business—its differentiators and how it fits within the broader digital landscape.
At Madison Alley, we bring decades of experience as strategic buyers, sellers and investors who have managed acquisitions across the full range of sectors.
We are specialists who know the intricacies of digital transformation and what it takes to stand out in a crowded, fast-changing marketplace. When business owners and entrepreneurs choose us, they have a partner who not only knows every facet of these industries but also how to use strategic storytelling to command premium value.
Madison Alley's Distinction
20+ years and over $2 billion of strategic M&A and capital transactions.
World-Class Team
Led by former Strategic Corporate Development and M&A senior industry executives
Deep Domain Expertise
Global industry perspective and digital-native insights in marketing, media, commerce and technology
Global Network of Strategic Buyers and Investors
A robust network of global CEOs, senior M&A executives and Private Equity Partners
Our Independence
We align with clients without conflicting interests from investors or a parent entity
Madison Alley advised MSQ Partners on its strategic acquisition of SPCSHP (formerly Big Spaceship), the iconic NYC-based creative agency famous for its digital marketing strategies.
MSQ Partners is an independent creative, technology and media company based in London and sponsored by Private Equity firm, One Equity Partners.
MSQ Partners + SPCSHP illustrates a transformative strategic transaction advised by Madison Alley.
Meet The Team
Our People
Our team of former CEOs and corporate development leaders brings unparalleled insider perspective to every engagement.
Michael C. Seidler
Founder & CEO
David Johnson
Operating Partner
Strategic Corporate Development
Suzane Mokbel
Managing Director
Lena Li
Vice President
Jessica Qian
Senior Analyst
Max Sigal
Analyst
Fatma Başak Üstün
Analyst
Join Our Team
Careers at Madison Alley
Become a part of the Madison Alley distinction.
We're always looking for talented individuals who share our passion for digital M&A and want to make an impact in the industry. If you're driven, strategic, and ready to work with the best, we'd love to hear from you.
Career Growth
Work on landmark deals and accelerate your career in M&A advisory.
Expert Mentorship
Learn from former CEOs and industry veterans with decades of experience.
Industry Impact
Shape the future of digital marketing, media, and commerce through strategic transactions.
Michael C. Seidler
Founder & CEO
For over 20 years, Michael has led Madison Alley Global Ventures as Founder + CEO, advising digital marketing, media, and advertising companies on strategic Corporate Development, M&A and capital transactions.
In 2020, Michael founded MadisonAlley.tv, broadcasting live in-depth video interviews of global industry CEOs, CMOs and distinguished Founders, including Sir Martin Sorrell, David Kenny, David Williams, Brian O'Kelley, and others.
Prior to founding Madison Alley, Michael was an Associate at Goldman Sachs and subsequently, led Interpublic Strategic Ventures, a portfolio of investments in digital marketing, media and technology companies.
In the mid-1990s, at CompuServe and AOL, Michael experienced the commercialization of the Internet firsthand.
Michael is a frequent Keynote Speaker for Google, YPO, Society for Digital Agencies (SoDA), and is often quoted by The Wall Street Journal, AdAge, Adweek, Digiday, and other leading publications.
Mr. Seidler earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from University of Colorado at Boulder and Tel Aviv University.
David Johnson
Operating Partner
Strategic Corporate Development
David Johnson recently joined Madison Alley following a career in Corporate Development and operational roles at Meredith Corporation (now People, Inc.).
As SVP of Corporate Development at Meredith Corporation, David was responsible for scale acquisitions and strategic divestitures.
Notable transactions included the acquisition of Time, Inc., for a reported $2.8 billion; leading the M&A sale of iconic brands Fortune, Money, Sports Illustrated and Time; and the sale of the MXM marketing division to Accenture Interactive (now Song) for over $750 million in aggregate.
Strategic acquisitions ranged across marketing service agencies, digital start-ups and print brands.
Operational responsibilities at Meredith included leading brand licensing (establishing the Better Homes and Gardens home brands at Walmart and growing international publishing partnerships), developing the buildout of Meredith's first Internet sites and strategies, and growing consumer product sales.
David served on the Board of Directors for Kalmbach Media through their recent sale process.
Suzane Mokbel
Managing Director
Suzane Mokbel has nearly 20 years of experience in M&A, capital raise, divestiture, and strategic business development in the B2B and B2C marketing, software, data and AI/ML driven emerging technology sectors. She successfully led numerous transactions in the marketing automation, software and data and analytics, retail technology, and consumer internet.
Prior to joining Madison Alley, Suzane worked at KPMG in the TMT advisory practice and Houlihan Lokey, a middle market investment bank where she focused on software and data sectors. Suzane also formerly worked at Petsky Prunier and Merrill Lynch where she advised clients in the advertising technology, marketing services, education technology and healthcare information sectors.
Suzane holds Series 63 and 79 (investment banking) FINRA regulatory licenses.
Lena Li
Vice President
Lena Li is a Vice President at Madison Alley Global Ventures, where she started her career in 2016 and became a key member. Specializing in M&A and capital advisory, Lena's expertise spans the marketing services, advertising, eCommerce, and digital media sectors. Her extensive deal experience includes high-profile transactions such as:
• Levelwing's strategic merger with Mindgruve
• Digital Remedy's acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group
• LocalFactor's acquisition by Viamedia
• MSQ's acquisition of SPCSHP
• TheoremOne's merger with S4 Capital and MediaMonks
• Jam3's merger with S4 Capital and MediaMonks
• TechMahindra's acquisition of BORN Group
Throughout her career, Lena has demonstrated extensive knowledge of industry dynamics and emerging trends, quantitative analytical skills, strategic thinking, and a strong ability to guide clients through complex M&A deals and capital raising activities, contributing to their continued success and growth in the digital economy.
Lena holds a bachelor's degree from Fudan University, and a master's degree from NYU. Lena is FINRA SIE, Series 63 and 79 licensed.
Max Sigal
Analyst
Max Sigal is an Analyst at Madison Alley Global Ventures. He brings over a year of venture capital and technology investing experience, most recently at iAngels, one of the EMEA region's most active VC funds managing over $550 million in assets. Max earned his degree in Sustainability & Government with a minor in Business Administration from Reichman University.
Fatma Başak Üstün
Analyst
Başak is an Analyst at Madison Alley Global Ventures. She brings experience in client relations and institutional engagement from her time at Intermediate Capital Group, where she supported investor communications and business development initiatives. Başak holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris.
Jessica Qian
Senior Analyst
Jessica joined Madison Alley in 2023 as a Senior Analyst focused on marketing, media and commerce transactions. She is involved in all aspects of the sell-side and buy-side M&A deal process including marketing materials creation, valuation and modeling, and due diligence coordination.
Previously Jessica was an Investment Banking Analyst at Nomura Securities, working on Software, FinTech, and Tech Services M&As, private capital raises and public offerings.
Jessica holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Barnard College, Columbia University.