Paris, France / Zug, Switzerland – Bridgepoint, the European private equity firm, announced today that it has closed the acquisition of 100 per cent of the shareholding in Infront Sports & Media AG, one of the World’s most respected and leading international sports marketing companies. The transaction was completed following approval by European competition authorities. The shares have been acquired from Jacobs Holding AG, the Junkermann Group and Dr Martin Steinmeyer for an undisclosed sum.
To reflect the new ownership structure, four Bridgepoint representatives will join Infront’s Board of Directors. Benoît Bassi, head of the company’s investment activities in France and Italy, will take over as Chairman from Dr Andreas Jacobs. Xavier Robert, head of the European Media & Tech investment team, will act as Vice Chairman. Günter Netzer (Infront co-founder and Germany's Footballer of the Year in 1972 and 1973) remains member of the Board.
Bridgepoint is a European private equity firm focusing on the acquisition of companies valued up to €1 billion. With some €11 billion of capital raised to date, it typically focuses on acquiring well managed companies in attractive sectors with the potential to grow organically or through acquisition. Although a generalist investor, Bridgepoint has developed expertise in the business services, consumer, financial services, healthcare, media, and industrial sectors. It has offices throughout Europe in Frankfurt, Helsinki, Istanbul, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Stockholm. See www.bridgepoint.eu
Bridgepoint is currently investing a €4.8 billion fund, Bridgepoint Europe IV, which had its final closing in November 2008 and has made 12 investments to date. In addition to this investment, its investments in 2011 have included the acquisition of Foncia, the French residential property management services business, La Gardenia, an Italian perfumery chain, SPTS, a UK capital equipment provider serving high-growth manufacturing applications within the semiconductor industry, German specialty chemicals company CABB and the la Boga wind energy division (comprising a portfolio of 11 wind farms) of ACS in Spain.
Infront Sports & Media, based in Zug, Switzerland, has grown impressively in recent years to become one of the world’s most respected and leading international sports marketing companies. The company employs more than 500 experienced and passionate staff across 20 offices in 10 countries and offers high quality services in four business areas: distribution of media and marketing rights, media production and sports services (hospitality, advertising solutions, etc.). Infront has long-lasting partnerships with 120 clients and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Annually, the Group helps to deliver more than 3,300 event days of top class sport around the world, equalling more than six events per day.
Today, Infront is the strongest, most experienced marketing agency in the winter sports arena, representing six out of seven Olympic winter sport federations. It has a unique heritage in football - no other agency has the same depth of involvement supporting the game at every level, international, country, league and club – and is strong in other major summer sports including basketball, handball, volleyball and motor sports.