M&A Deal Summary

Cox Enterprises Acquires Autotrader

On January 3, 2014, Cox Enterprises acquired internet software and services company Autotrader from Providence Equity Partners and Cox Enterprises

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Cox Enterprises’ 2nd transaction in the Internet Software and Services sector.
  • This is Cox Enterprises’ 4th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Cox Enterprises’ 3rd transaction in Georgia.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2014-01-03
Target Autotrader
Sector Internet Software and Services
Buyer(s) Cox Enterprises
Sellers(s) Providence Equity Partners
Cox Enterprises
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition

Target

Autotrader

Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Autotrader is an online automotive marketplace, aggregating millions of new and used car listings from auto dealers. Autotrader was formed in 1997 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Cox Enterprises

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Category Company
Founded 1898
Sector Diversified
Employees50,000
DESCRIPTION

Cox Enterprises is a global conglomerate with interests in communications, media, and automotive services. The company operates through its major subsidiaries, including Cox Communications, which is one of the largest broadband and entertainment companies in the United States, providing high-speed internet, digital television, and telephony services. Cox Automotive is another significant division, offering a wide array of automotive services and solutions, including vehicle remarketing, digital marketing, software solutions for automotive dealers, and financial services. Cox Media Group, although its portfolio has evolved over the years, has been involved in broadcasting, publishing, and digital media. Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 4 of 10
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 2 of 4
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 2 of 7
State (Georgia) 3 of 5
Country (United States) 4 of 9
Year (2014) 1 of 2
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2010-05-05 Autotrader

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Autotrader is an online automotive marketplace, aggregating millions of new and used car listings from auto dealers. Autotrader was formed in 1997 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-09-18 Southern Experience

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Southern Experience LLC (Experience) is a cloud based fan experience technology company dedicated to making sure fans enjoy live events to the fullest extent possible.

Buy -

Seller(S) 2

SELLER

Providence Equity Partners

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1989
PE ASSETS 36.0B USD
Size Mega
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Providence Equity Partners is a specialist private equity firm that targets investments in media, entertainment, communications, and information companies. Specifically, Providence seeks investments in wireless and wireline telephony, cable television content and distribution, music, film, publishing, radio and television broadcasting, and other media and communications sectors. Providence Equity looks to commit $150 million to $800 million of equity capital in transactions ranging from growth financings and recapitalizations, to buyouts and take-privates. Providence Equity Partners was formed in 1989 and has offices in Providence, Rhode Island; New York, New York; Los Angeles, California; London, United Kingdom; Hong Kong, China; and New Delhi, India.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 38 of 100
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 1 of 13
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 19 of 40
State (Georgia) 1 of 2
Country (United States) 26 of 68
Year (2014) 1 of 7
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-01-01 PT Komet Infra Nusantara

Jakarta, Indonesia

PT Komet Infra Nusantara is an independent telecommunications tower platform in Indonesia.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-01-06 Stream International

Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States

Stream Global Services (formerly Global BPO Services) is a global provider of business process outsourcing, delivering a range of services, including technical support, customer service, sales and customer retention.

Sell $820M
SELLER

Cox Enterprises

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Category Company
Founded 1898
Sector Diversified
Employees50,000
DESCRIPTION

Cox Enterprises is a global conglomerate with interests in communications, media, and automotive services. The company operates through its major subsidiaries, including Cox Communications, which is one of the largest broadband and entertainment companies in the United States, providing high-speed internet, digital television, and telephony services. Cox Automotive is another significant division, offering a wide array of automotive services and solutions, including vehicle remarketing, digital marketing, software solutions for automotive dealers, and financial services. Cox Media Group, although its portfolio has evolved over the years, has been involved in broadcasting, publishing, and digital media. Cox Enterprises was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 1 of 3
Sector (Internet Software and Services) 1 of 1
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 1 of 2
State (Georgia) 1 of 2
Country (United States) 1 of 3
Year (2014) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2010-05-05 Autotrader

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Autotrader is an online automotive marketplace, aggregating millions of new and used car listings from auto dealers. Autotrader was formed in 1997 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-09-18 Southern Experience

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Southern Experience LLC (Experience) is a cloud based fan experience technology company dedicated to making sure fans enjoy live events to the fullest extent possible.

Buy -