It’s official: the UK-born talent management company known as James Grant Group has sold a majority stake in its business to private equity firm Trilantic.
MBW reported earlier this month that the two parties were close to finalizing a buyout deal, which valued JGG – which has since been rebranded as YM&U – at between $140m and $160m (£110m+).
According to our sources, YM&U’s enterprise value did indeed land in that ballpark.
In the end, Trilantic purchased a majority holding in YM&U – a stake which, according to our calculations, would have fetched over $100m.
The remainder of YM&U’s shares are being divided between its management team and its employees.
Earlier this month, YM&U acquired UK-based Machine Management, home to Clean Bandit, Years & Years and Mika. That deal came 18 months after it bought L.A-based Deckstar in a deal worth north of $20m.
Deckstar now forms the hub ofYM&U’s L.A-based music division, with management clients including Blink 182, Steve Aoki, Morrissey, Rancid, Bush and 311.
In 2012, YM&U acquired London-based Hall Or Nothing (The Script, Manic Street Preachers), while in October last year it swooped for 10 Management, home to Take That.
Other artists on YM&U’s roster today include James Arthur, Cheat Codes and Don Diablo.
YM&U has a roster of clients across sports, music and entertainment.
Its majority-acquisition by Trilantic Europe covers all of YM&U’s twelve trading entities: Deckstar, Furniss Lawton, Hall or Nothing, Impact Sports Management, James Grant, James Grant Management Inc., James Grant Music, James Grant Sport, Machine Management, OJK, Rabbit and Troika.
All divisions will be re-branded YM&U as from January 1st 2019 with the exception of Troika, which will retain its trading name for the foreseeable future.
Post-deal, YM&U’s executive team will remain in place and continue to run the Group.
YM&U chief executive Neil Rodford, who also led JGG, commented, “We are delighted to join forces with Trilantic Europe, whose management team has the experience we require on both sides of the Atlantic, which made them the obvious choice for us as a management team.
“We look forward to working with our new partners on enhancing our services as we seek to grow materially in the coming months and years. We are excited about the future of the Group and creating an environment where exceptional people want to express themselves whether they be clients or colleagues.”
Trilantic Europe focuses on mid-market transactions, tailoring solutions for businesses using its expertise and operating knowledge to accelerate growth and enhance value creation.
Joe Cohen, Trilantic Europe Partner, commented: “We have been impressed by the breadth and depth of YM&U’s business and its first-class provision of management and professional services in the world of sport, entertainment, film and music. Few companies have the range of services and the professional expertise that YM&U can offer.
“We look forward to working with management to expand the company’s services and to further grow YM&U both organically and by identifying acquisitions that share a common cultural fit and sector focus.”
Recent additions to YM&U include the football sports agency Impact SM, their clients include Harry Winks, Sean Dyche, Chris Hughton and Alex McCarthy; and music management company Machine Management, which represents Clean Bandit, Years & Years and Mika.
In 2017, the Group merged with LA based music management firm Deckstar, whose clients include Steve Aoki, Blink-182, Cheat Codes, Rancid and Bush; as well as 10 Management, who represent Take That.
It also added leading rugby agency Top Marque Sports, whose clients include Dan Cole, Simon Zebo, Liam Williams, Jonathan Joseph, Charlie Faumuina and Tommy Seymour to its stable; together with comedy, film and stage and entertainment management company Troika, whose clients include Keeley Hawes, Ellie Taylor, Rachel Parris, Richard Madden, Michael Fassbender, Graham Norton, Matt Lucas, Karen Gillan and Jamie Dornan.Music Business Worldwide
No comments:
Post a Comment