Deal Completion: Industry Media

Spectrum Corporate Finance has successfully completed the disposal of Industry Media to James Grant Group (JGG).

James Grant Group, the market leading provider of management and professional services to the media, music and sports sectors, has acquired Industry Media, the premier specialist business affairs consultancy for the television industry.

Industry Media, founded by Simon Vyvyan in 2004 and based in London and Winchester, provides a proactive business affairs service to independent television production companies. It further complements JGG’s existing proposition which includes talent management, brand consultancy, public relations, digital, intellectual property development and exploitation, live events, literary representation, media and sports finance, accountancy and voiceover services. The company will sit within the Media Services division of JGG, retaining its current name and branding.

This is the ninth acquisition completed by JGG since Gresham backed its management buyout in August 2009 and represents a continuation of the business’ growth strategy in the media sector.

Dan Hatcher, partner, Gresham Private Equity said: 

“This is a fantastic acquisition for JGG and represents the addition of another market leading business to the group.  The success of the buy and build strategy and the ability of the business to establish ground-breaking deals such as that agreed recently with EMI are a fantastic example of how the business continues its growth strategy.”

Jane Lodge, Director, Industry Media commented:

"Spectrum handled the sale process on our behalf with complete professionalism and never took their eye off the ball, which was reassuring for us and enabled the sale process to reach a swift and happy conclusion.  Spectrum's involvement smoothed the path for all parties through the negotiations and we were delighted with the way in which Simon and Ian worked together to ensure that we had the benefit of the widest possible set of skills and experience throughout the transaction."

Simon Vyvyan, Managing Director, Industry Media commented:                      

"Spectrum immediately empathised with our business situation and understood what we were trying to achieve.  Simon Davies and Ian Milne took the trouble to understand and relate to the commercial and operational issues that were specific to Industry Media and gave us outstanding support from start to finish, managing the bidding process and continuing to advise on strategy and financial analysis with wisdom and good humour."

Simon Davies, Partner, Spectrum Corporate Finance added:

“Industry Media is a great business that proves that industry specialism can command a significant premium. Simon and Jane have grown the business based on specialising in a niche area, and have become market leaders in a short space of time. It was a great business to present to market, with much interest from PE backed Media businesses, who perceived it as an excellent bolt-on acquisition with a strong spread and depth of TV production clients and exciting growth opportunities.”

For further information please contact:
Simon Davies or Ian Milne
T: +44 (0) 118 950 2269