M&A Deal Summary

Thomas H. Lee Partners Acquires Acosta

On January 5, 2011, private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners acquired marketing company Acosta from AEA Investors for 2.0B USD

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Thomas H. Lee Partners’ 1st transaction in the Marketing sector.
  • This is Thomas H. Lee Partners’ 15th largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Thomas H. Lee Partners’ 30th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Thomas H. Lee Partners’ 3rd transaction in Florida.
Investment Fate
  • Acosta was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2014.
  • Acosta went bankrupt in 2019.
  • Acosta was sold to a consortium of financial buyers in 2020.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2011-01-05
Target Acosta
Sector Marketing
Buyer(s) Thomas H. Lee Partners
Sellers(s) AEA Investors
Deal Type Secondary Buyout
Deal Value 2.0B USD
Advisor(s) BofA Securities (Financial)
Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLP (Legal)

Target

Acosta

Jacksonville, Florida, United States
website
Acosta's headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Acosta's headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.
Acosta Sales & Marketing provides outsourced sales, marketing and merchandising services to manufacturers, suppliers, and producers of consumer packaged goods. Acosta was founded in 1927 and is based in Jacksonville, Florida.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Thomas H. Lee Partners

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1974
PE ASSETS 25.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Thomas H. Lee Partners, LP (THL) is a private equity firm that seeks buyout, expansion, consolidation, distressed, and recapitalization investments across various industries. Sectors of interest include business and information services, consumer products/retail, financial services, healthcare, industrial, and media/communications. THL looks to invest $100 to $400 million in companies valued up to $2.5 billion. Thomas H. Lee Partners, LP was formed in 1974 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 38 of 82
Sector (Marketing) 1 of 1
Type (Secondary Buyout) 9 of 30
State (Florida) 3 of 7
Country (United States) 30 of 70
Year (2011) 1 of 3
Size (of disclosed) 15 of 26
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2010-11-01 a360media

New York, New York, United States

a360media owns and operates the leading celebrity and health & fitness media brands in the country. The Company's magazines have a combined total circulation of 5.3+ million and reach 32.6+ million men and women each month. Our digital properties reach 50+ million unique visitors and 652+ million page views monthly, and our social media channels reach 56+ million visitors. a360media was formed in 1936 and is based in New York City.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2011-01-25 Nielsen

New York, New York, United States

Nielsen is a global information and measurement company that provides clients with a comprehensive understanding of consumers and consumer behaviour. Nielsen delivers critical media and marketing information, analytics, and industry expertise about what consumers buy and what consumers watch (consumer interaction with television, online and mobile) on a global and local basis. Nielsen was founded in 1923 and is based in New York City.

Sell -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

AEA Investors

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

website


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1968
PE ASSETS 17.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

AEA Investors is a private investment firm focused on investing in and acquiring businesses headquartered primarily in the US, Europe, and China. AEA looks for companies operating in stable to growing industries with a proven ability to generate positive cash-flow. Broad sectors of interest include value-added industrial products/services, specialty chemicals, consumer products, and services. In addition to its primary middle-market private equity fund, AEA maintains additional funds targeted towards mezzanine financing, senior secured debt, and small business buyouts. AEA Investors was formed in 1968 and is based in New York City.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 16 of 75
Sector (Marketing) 1 of 1
Type (Secondary Buyout) 4 of 32
State (Florida) 1 of 3
Country (United States) 13 of 68
Year (2011) 1 of 7
Size (of disclosed) 2 of 17
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2010-12-20 CFS-Dixie Flexibles

Kempten, Germany

Leading manufacturer of premium roofing and roof maintenance products. Henry also manufactures complete lines of driveways coatings, commercial specialty products and building envelope systems

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2011-01-31 Performance Sports Group

Exeter, New Hampshire, United States

Performance Sports Group Ltd. is a developer and manufacturer of ice hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse, baseball and softball sports equipment, as well as related apparel and soccer apparel. Performance Sports Group Ltd. was founded in 1927 and is based in Exeter, New Hampshire.

Sell -