AdMedia Advises Civic Entertainment Group in Acquisition by Seacrest Global Group

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--M&A firm AdMedia Partners today announced that it acted as exclusive financial advisor to Civic Entertainment Group (CEG), a next-generation marketing services agency, in its sale of a majority stake to Seacrest Global Group (SGG).

“Our acquisition of Civic fits in well with our plans to create a diversified portfolio of assets in media and entertainment. It reflects not just our ambitions within this landscape, but also our trust in their creativity and business capabilities”

New York City-based Civic Entertainment Group is one of the nation’s most award winning marketing services companies serving blue chip brands – including HBO, NFL, NBC Universal, HISTORY and CNN – with special practice areas in experiential marketing, strategic marketing partnerships, social campaigns and digital and social media. CEG creates long-term brand platforms (e.g. NBC Education Nation, NFL Network “PLAY 60 Keep Gym in School,” CNN Grill) designed to impact culture, address the biggest societal issues, define brands, generate client revenue, build loyalty and stimulate word-of-mouth. The 12-year old agency will continue to operate under the leadership of co-founders/CEOs Stuart Ruderfer and David Cohn.

“This transaction demonstrates once again the continued convergence of media, entertainment and marketing services,” said Greg Smith, Managing Director at AdMedia Partners. “We continue to see a broad array of non-traditional strategic and financial buyers in the space.”

“Our acquisition of Civic fits in well with our plans to create a diversified portfolio of assets in media and entertainment. It reflects not just our ambitions within this landscape, but also our trust in their creativity and business capabilities,” said Ryan Seacrest, Chairman, Seacrest Global Group. “Stuart and David have wildly creative talent that’s coupled with strong business acumen. Their commitment to marrying these sensibilities has translated into an impressive track record of delivering consistently positive results for clients.”

“We couldn’t ask for a stronger partner than Ryan Seacrest. We share Ryan’s vision and commitment to building a world-class company that offers clients a uniquely valuable suite of services. Our alliance with Seacrest Global Group will provide us with the expertise, relationships and resources to further build our leading position in the marketing space,” said Ruderfer and Cohn.

Founded 12 years ago, CEG provides creative marketing services to blue-chip brands in media, entertainment, and sports including A&E, CNN, ESPN, HBO, HISTORY, Legendary Entertainment, NBC Universal, NFL, and Southwest Airlines. The agency has special practice areas in experiential marketing, strategic marketing partnerships, social campaigns and digital and social media.

SGG is an independent investment arm of Ryan Seacrest’s media and entertainment holdings. Seacrest holds preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, nationally syndicated radio and local radio as both a producer and on-air host, heads a well-established leading entertainment production company, and manages a myriad of media investments and brand ventures with blue-chip companies such as Coca-Cola, Ford, and Procter & Gamble.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. LionTree Advisors was the financial advisor to Seacrest Global Group. AdMedia Partners advised Civic Entertainment Group. Bank of America provided financing on the transaction.

Ruderfer and Cohn founded the NYC Parks Marketing & Special Events division in 1994 under Mayor Rudy Giuliani with the goal of developing partnerships among top marketers, entertainment properties and the city. The goal of these collaborations was to create a positive profile for NYC, drive tourism, generate revenue for city facilities and programs, and to enhance entertainment and recreation offerings. This pioneering effort of leveraging civic assets to generate revenues and create publicity around a city “brand,” was soon embraced by many municipalities across the country. Their successes for New York included the multi-million dollar HBO sponsorship of the Garth Brooks Concert in Central Park, the New York Yankees World Championship Parade, Disney’s Pocahontas Premiere, and the John Paul II Papal Mass in Central Park.

Today, CEG has 45 employees and annual billings of approximately $40 million. Parke Spencer, former COO for Rubenstein Associates, serves as President and runs day-to-day operations for the firm.

About Seacrest Global Group/Ryan Seacrest

Seacrest Global Group (SCG) it an independent investment arm of Ryan Seacrest’s media and entertainment holdings.

Ryan Seacrest holds preeminent positions in broadcast television, nationally syndicated radio, local radio and cable as both a producer and on-air host. He is celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated primetime talent showcase “American Idol;” he has an expansive relationship with NBCUniversal that includes on-air broadcasting and producing duties across the NBC and E! networks; and, he executive produces and hosts ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” On radio, Seacrest is host of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” his market-topping #1 nationally syndicated LA morning drive-time radio show for Clear Channel’s 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally-syndicated Top 40 radio show.

Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) is a television production powerhouse creating both unscripted and scripted programming. RSP produces the hit series “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” the highest-rated show on the E! network and the spin-offs “Khloe and Lamar,” “Kourtney and Kim Take New York,” and “Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami.” RSP also produced the Emmy Award-winning ABC reality series “Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.” RSP is currently producing “Shah’s of Sunset” for Bravo and “Married to Jonas” for E!. In January 2012, Clear Channel acquired a minority stake in RSP.

About Civic Entertainment Group

New York City-based Civic Entertainment Group is one of the nation’s most award winning marketing services companies serving blue chip brands – including HBO, NFL, NBC Universal, HISTORY and CNN – with special practice areas in Experiential Marketing, Strategic Marketing Partnerships and Pro Social Programs. CEG creates long-term brand platforms (e.g. NBC Education Nation, NFL Network “PLAY 60 Keep Gym in School,” CNN Grill) designed to impact culture, address the biggest societal issues, define brands, generate client revenue, build loyalty and stimulate word-of-mouth.

About AdMedia Partners:

Founded in 1990, AdMedia is a leading M&A advisory firm serving the marketing services, advertising, marketing technology, media and information sectors. AdMedia has completed over 180 transactions for clients valued in excess of $8 billion since 1999. For more information about AdMedia Partners, please visit www.admediapartners.com.