Category Archives: WEEKLY SPIN

Cannes do attitude

Ascential, the owners of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and Money 20/20, have received an acquisition bid from a consortium of investors but will they bite? The consortium includes PE-backed Hyve, and MediaLink, owned by United Talent Agency. The resort town is the iconic setting for the Cannes Lions, whose revenue has grown 30% this year, while Money 20/20 sharpened its focus with a 19% revenue increase. Post-Covid events acquisition opportunities will continue to stay on the (event) horizon of PE investors as revenue drivers; and with the Cannes Lions’ global appeal, the consortium will certainly be hoping its bid is a roaring success. Or will they find themselves clawing back the competition?

inspired by PRWeek

Clip clip hooray!

Clipway, a new PE secondaries firm founded by former Ardian executive Vincent Gombault, has received minority stake investments from General Atlantic and French asset manager, Carmignac. The firm, which is led by Gombault and Ingmar Vallano, is in the process of fundraising $4 billion for its first fund. The new partnership with two well-established management groups should help it to move along at a faster clip. Both PE and traditional asset managers are going back for seconds as their appetite grows for PE secondaries. Clipway will focus on LP-led opportunities using proprietary next-generation technology called Tech-Enabled Secondaries System (TESS). With the secondaries market continuing to mature, this could be an ideal time for TESS to impress.

inspired by the Financial Times

Liverpool kicks off new dynasty

With their famous shoulder padded dresses and big hairstyles, the cast of US soap opera Dynasty was a huge hit in the 80s. Liverpool FC will be hoping that the same is true, following news that US private equity firm Dynasty Equity has acquired a $100 million minority stake in the club. It is yet another sign of the Hollywood appeal of the English Premier League – and sports franchises more broadly – as VC and PE firms continue to snap up assets for their portfolios. Liverpool will be hoping this kicks off a new chapter of success with its latest biggest fan. Part of the investment will apparently be used for infrastructure as the club looks to improve its stadium, Anfield. We will all be watching to see how this new relationship plays out: hopefully it won’t have the frisson of Krystle Carrington (Linda Evans) and her mischievous counterpart, Alexis Colby (Joan Collins)…

inspired by the Financial Times