January 18, 2024
Willkie represented ACF Investment Bank, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for the media and entertainment industry, in its sale of a majority stake to The Forest Road Company, a Los Angeles-based merchant bank.
On January 17, it was announced that The Forest Road Company agreed to acquire a majority stake in ACF, adding a media and entertainment arm to its established advisory business. ACF, based in London and Los Angeles, has advised on over 100 deals in the media sector, including The Saul Zaentz Company’s recent sale of the intellectual property rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to the Embracer Group and Shamrock Capital Advisors’ investment in Boardwalk Pictures.
Under the terms of the transaction, ACF will continue operating under the ACF brand and ACF's Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Dey, will continue to lead the company. The combined group will target intellectual property holders, brands, and businesses in the Media and Entertainment space.
The Willkie team was led by partners Steve Hurdle and Tilda Shin and included partner Matthew Comstock and associates Mark Vible and Sabrina Khan.
On January 17, it was announced that The Forest Road Company agreed to acquire a majority stake in ACF, adding a media and entertainment arm to its established advisory business. ACF, based in London and Los Angeles, has advised on over 100 deals in the media sector, including The Saul Zaentz Company’s recent sale of the intellectual property rights to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to the Embracer Group and Shamrock Capital Advisors’ investment in Boardwalk Pictures.
Under the terms of the transaction, ACF will continue operating under the ACF brand and ACF's Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Dey, will continue to lead the company. The combined group will target intellectual property holders, brands, and businesses in the Media and Entertainment space.
The Willkie team was led by partners Steve Hurdle and Tilda Shin and included partner Matthew Comstock and associates Mark Vible and Sabrina Khan.
