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November 2020

JEGI | CLARITY REPRESENTS GANNETT IN THE SALE OF ITS SUBSIDIARY, BRIDGETOWER MEDIA, TO TRANSOM CAPITAL GROUP

New York, NY, November 3, 2020 –  Transom Capital Group (“Transom”), a leading operations-focused middle market private equity firm, today announced it has acquired BridgeTower Media (“BridgeTower” or the “Company”), a leading provider of B2B information, research, events, and marketing solutions across more than 25 U.S. markets and industries.

JEGI | CLARITY (www.jegiclarity.com), the leading independent investment bank for the global media, information, marketing, software and tech-enabled services sectors, with a global reach from New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Sydney, represented BridgeTower Media and Gannett in this transaction.

BridgeTower Media is a business media and marketing platform providing authoritative content within the legal, business, construction, legislative, pet retail, and home furnishings sectors through more than 40 print and digital brands. In addition to providing subscribers with content relevant to their daily professional activities, BridgeTower has a research unit focused on employee satisfaction, lead generation services and live events centered on awards and education. BridgeTower was previously the stand-alone, B2B information subsidiary of Gannett Co.

James Oh, Partner at Transom, said “BridgeTower Media has been an integral partner to businesses across the country providing valuable media and marketing services for a long time. The Company has a strong leadership team and has invested in its brands to be a market leader today. Our plan is to continue on the success the team has achieved and invest in technology and resources to stay ahead of the dynamic market.”

Adam Reinebach, CEO, BridgeTower Media, said “We’re excited to partner with Transom to expand our business and strengthen our commitment to the markets we serve. The culmination of this deal is a tribute to the resiliency, dedication and creativity of our people, whose collective grit is unmatched. We’re thrilled to find an investment partner who shares our vision for the future.”

Kirkland & Ellis acted as corporate legal advisor and Perkins Coie LLP acted as the financing legal advisor to Transom. Cerberus Business Finance provided the financing for the transaction.

About BridgeTower Media
BridgeTower Media is the premier provider of business information, research, events and marketing solutions in more than 25 local, regional and industry B2B markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.bridgetowermedia.com.

About Transom Capital Group
Transom is a leading operations-focused private equity firm in the middle market with more than $600 million in assets under management as of March 2020. The firm’s functional pattern recognition, access to capital, and proven ARMOR Value Creation Process combine with management’s industry expertise to create improved operational efficiency, significant top-line growth, cultural transformation and overall distinctive outcomes. Transom is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. For more information, visit www.transomcap.com.

About JEGI | CLARITY
JEGI | CLARITY is a leading independent investment bank serving companies in the global media, marketing and information sectors.  With a global reach from New York, Boston, San Francisco, London and Sydney, we have closed more than 700 transactions during our 30+ year history. For more information, visit www.jegiclarity.com.

We engaged JEGI | CLARITY in mid-March 2020 to run the sale process for our parent company, Gannett Co.  Five days later, New York’s statewide stay-at-home order went into effect, but that didn’t stop JEGI | CLARITY from conducting a remarkably coordinated and effective process, primarily through video conferencing and virtual datarooms.  The firm reached out to 150 strategic and private equity buyers, coordinating nearly 20 fireside chats and management presentations, and working with our team to present a clear picture of the decisive and transformative steps we took to keep the business on course.  JEGI | CLARITY did a tremendous job in pushing multiple groups through the process, highlighting the viability and enhanced profitability of our virtual events, and driving strong value for Gannett, despite complicated economic, market and carveout dynamics for the deal.  Congratulations, JEGI | CLARITY!      
– Adam Reinebach, Chief Executive Officer, BridgeTower Media