ATG
Liberty advises the management team of ATG Entertainment on its acquisition by MARI
Liberty Corporate Finance is delighted to announce that it has advised the management team of ATG Entertainment, a global leader in live theatre, in connection with its acquisition by MARI, the global events and experiences company.
Having the Liberty team alongside us as we navigated the complexity of a fast moving, multi-jurisdictional, high octane transaction was invaluable. At critical moments they brought clarity of thought and demonstrated their experience and expertise as well as their unwavering support for the team and I.
Melanie Smith
Global Chief Executive Officer, ATG Entertainment
MARI has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ATG Entertainment from Providence Equity Partners. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, and until completion MARI and ATG will continue to operate as separate companies.
ATG Entertainment is a leading international theatre business spanning venue operations, production and ticketing. It operates a portfolio of 70 venues across the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Spain, including seven on Broadway and ten in London’s West End, alongside an extensive network of regional theatres.
Its venues host more than 16,000 performances and welcome over 18 million theatre-goers each year. ATG also produces and co-produces work for the West End and Broadway and is a trusted home for leading producers and creative partners, hosting landmark productions including The Lion King, Wicked and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
MARI owns and operates a global portfolio of events and experiences across sport, art, entertainment and lifestyle, including Frieze, Barrett-Jackson, the Miami Open, the Mutua Madrid Open, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and the Hampton Court Palace and Blenheim Palace Festivals.
The acquisition reflects MARI’s conviction in the growing appeal of live experiences and the audiences they bring together, adding theatre as a significant new part of its global portfolio.
Liberty Corporate Finance is advising the management team of ATG, led by Melanie Smith, on their existing and new incentive arrangements including any reinvestment in the enlarged group.
It is always a privilege to work with the management teams of businesses with the quality and reach of ATG Entertainment. This has been particularly the case with Melanie and her team at ATG who continue to drive performance both on and off the stage. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the process to completion of the transaction with MARI.
Michael McDonagh
Partner
+44 (0) 7715 705 000
[email protected]