15 June 2007
Palamon Capital Partners invests in
D&D Media Group
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Palamon Capital Partners (“Palamon”), one of Europe’s leading mid market private equity firms, has acquired a significant stake in D&D Media Group (“D&D”). D&D is one of the leading independent audiovisual production companies in the Benelux, Germany and France.
The transaction involved the acquisition of a 30% stake from KBC Private Equity and a further equity stake from Marc Dullaert and Paul Dumas, the majority shareholders and principal managers. Messrs Dullaert and Dumas will continue to manage the business and will retain substantial shareholdings in order to benefit from its further growth potential.
D&D is an independent audiovisual production house specialised in drama, entertainment and factual entertainment for television as well as new media channels. The company is among the largest players in its sector in Belgium and Holland and has strong niche positions in Germany and France. It will start operations in Scandinavia in 2007. D&D will form the basis for an ambitious pan-European buy-and-build strategy.
Commenting on the sector, Daan Knottenbelt, partner of Palamon Capital Partners, said: “Palamon’s thesis-driven approach enabled us to identify a number of fundamental changes affecting the media sector that present substantial value-creation opportunities for content producers. D&D, through its leading position in advertiser funded content and fast growing presence in interactive entertainment formats, is uniquely positioned to benefit from these market trends.”
Commenting on the investment, Fabio Massimo Giuseppetti, partner of Palamon Capital Partners, said: “We are delighted to be investing in D&D, a company with an impressive track record, a unique market position, and world class management. We look forward to supporting D&D’s management team in building a leading multi-media production company through both organic growth and acquisition.”
Marc Dullaert, co-founder and CEO of D&D commented: "I am pleased to have found in Palamon an investor that shares our entrepreneurial mindset and supports our vision. Together with my partner Paul Dumas, we believe that Palamon’s pan-European approach, together with its track record to build market-leading businesses, will significantly accelerate our expansion plans across Europe."
This marks Palamon’s eighth investment in its second fund, Palamon European Equity II, L.P., which was raised in 2006 and has commitments of €670 million. With this acquisition it has committed 40% of its fund.
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