M&A Deal Summary

F+W Media Acquires Aspire Media

On July 31, 2012, F+W Media acquired media company Aspire Media from Catalyst Investors and Frontenac

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is F+W Media’s 1st transaction in the Media sector.
  • This is F+W Media’s 1st transaction in the United States.
  • This is F+W Media’s 1st transaction in Colorado.

M&A Deal Summary
Date 2012-07-31
Target Aspire Media
Sector Media
Buyer(s) F+W Media
Sellers(s) Catalyst Investors
Frontenac
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition

Target

Aspire Media

Loveland, Colorado, United States
Aspire Media LLC offers newsstand publications, craft books, and craft television series on public television.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

F+W Media

Blue Ash, Ohio, United States
Category Company
Sector Publishing
DESCRIPTION

F+W Media, Inc. is a multi-platform enthusiast media company with businesses in magazine and book publishing, interactive media, broadcast programming, and events.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 1 of 2
Sector (Media) 1 of 1
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 1 of 2
State (Colorado) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 1 of 2
Year (2012) 1 of 1
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2014-01-17 New Track Media

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

New Track Media is building an integrated, special interest consumer publishing enterprise. The Company's strategy is to acquire and develop magazines as well as additional content platforms (e.g., books, conferences, shows, affinity clubs, and web-based capabilities) to service special interest consumers.

Buy -

Seller(S) 2

SELLER

Catalyst Investors

New York, New York, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Venture Capital Firm
Founded 1999
PE ASSETS 377M USD
Size Middle-Market
Type Sector Focused
DESCRIPTION

Catalyst Investors is a specialist private equity firm that targets investments in the media, communications and internet services industries. Specific areas of interest include, video and audio content and distribution, print and online publishing, out-of-home advertising, music publishing, wireless voice and data, wireless spectrum and other infrastructure, outsourced applications providers / software as a service (SAAS), subscription based services, and online advertising. Catalyst looks for the growth companies located in the US and Canada requiring $10 to $60 million in capital. Catalyst prefers businesses with 'high-margin economics', 'defensible market positions', and 'recurring revenues'. Catalyst was formed in 1999 and is based in New York.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 24 of 39
Sector (Media) 4 of 4
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 13 of 19
State (Colorado) 2 of 4
Country (United States) 23 of 37
Year (2012) 1 of 1
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-02-12 Conductor

New York, New York, United States

Conductor is a provider of best possible web presence solutions, technology, and support. Conductor was founded in 2004 and is based in New York City.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-09-06 Datavail

Broomfield, Colorado, United States

Datavail is a provider of remote database administration (DBA) services in North America. Datavail offers 24/7 managed database services, database design, architecture, and staffing. The company specializes in Oracle, Oracle E-Business Suite, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, MongoDB, DB2 and SharePoint, and provides flexible onsite, offsite, and offshore delivery options to meet each customer's unique business needs. Datavail was founded in 2007 and is based in Broomfield, Colorado.

Buy -
SELLER

Frontenac

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor

Category Private Equity Firm
Founded 1971
PE ASSETS 2.1B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Frontenac is a Midwest US-based private equity firm that seek profitable, lower middle-market company investments with $5 to $25 million of EBITDA. Frontenac typically partners with management when pursuing acquisitions, including companies managed by owner-operators. Sectors of interest include financial services, healthcare services, education/HR services, manufacturing, publishing/media, and technology services. Frontenac was formed in 1971 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

DEAL STATS #
Overall 36 of 59
Sector (Media) 2 of 2
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 10 of 22
State (Colorado) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 34 of 57
Year (2012) 4 of 4
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2012-03-19 Ansira

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Ansira is a data-driven, technology-enabled marketing solutions provider, specializing in the integration of local and national marketing programs. Ansira was founded in 1919 and is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Sell -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2013-01-01 Wenner Bakery

Ronkonkoma, New York, United States

Wenner Bread Products, Inc. is a producer of bread and rolls sold to in-store bakery and foodservice customers. Wenner Bakery was founded in 1956 and is based in Ronkonkoma, New York.

Sell -
Mergr

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