Global law firm Ropes & Gray has advised Bridgepoint Development Capital – another new client for the firm – on its sale of Inspired Thinking Group (ITG), a UK-headquartered technology-led provider of outsourced marketing services, to Equistone Partners Europe.  ITG helps global brands and retailers, such as Heineken, Audi and Puma, to deliver their multi-channel marketing more efficiently and effectively, utilising its proprietary software platform, “MediaCentre”. The financial terms of the deal, which was announced on 10 October, have not been disclosed.   The Ropes & Gray team was led by London-based private equity partner Helen Croke. Other members of

Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital, a growth-focused private investment platform within Morgan Stanley Investment Management, has closed on over USD275 million of capital commitments for North Haven Expansion Credit LP and its related funds, exceeding its fundraising target. Expansion Credit intends to capitalise on Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital’s (Expansion Capital) long-standing history of private growth investing in late-stage, private companies across a broad range of industries, including technology, healthcare, consumer, ecommerce, digital media and business services.   “We are pleased that investors have placed their trust in us and recognise the potential of our Expansion Credit offering, given our strong sourcing

Noerr has advised UniCredit Bank AG and National-Bank Aktiengesellschaft on financing the acquisition of shares in the outdoor advertising specialist IT Works. The shares were acquired by the Munich mid-market investor Afinum Management, which is acquiring a significant interest in IT Works via one of its funds.   IT Works welcomes its new shareholder as part of its growth strategy. The IT Works management is also acquiring a substantial interest in the Düsseldorf company.   The banks were advised on the financing transaction by a team from Noerr led by partner Tom Beckerhoff. UniCredit Bank regularly relies on advice from

Mid-market private equity investor Equistone Partners Europe Limited (Equistone) has acquired Inspired Thinking Group (ITG), a Birmingham-headquartered technology-led provider of outsourced marketing services. Equistone has acquired a majority stake in the company from Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC) alongside management, for an undisclosed sum. With a pan-European network of offices, Equistone will support the company’s ambitious international growth aspirations and continued investment into digital marketing services.   ITG helps global brands and retailers including Heineken, Audi and Puma to deliver their multi-channel marketing more efficiently and effectively, utilising its proprietary software platform, “MediaCentre”. Going forward, under its new “Intelligent Marketing Made

IKB Deutsche Industriebank (IKB) and Investec Bank (Investec) have underwritten a EUR121 million senior debt financing package to support Ergon Capital Partners’ III (Ergon) acquisition of Keesing Media Group (KMG) out of publicly listed parent Telegraaf Media Group (TMG). IKB and Investec co-arranged the senior facilities which consisted of term loans, capex/acquisition facilities and an RCF. ING and Rabobank join as early-bird Mandated Lead Arrangers (MLAs) with KBC as Joint Lead Arranger completing the bank line-up.    KMG is the market leader and largest publisher of puzzle magazines in Europe including number and word puzzles as well as puzzle apps.

Global law firm Ropes & Gray and Japanese firm Anderson Mori have advised Bain Capital on its tender offer for Asatsu DK, Japan’s third largest advertising agency. The tender offer price for 100 per cent of the company is approximately JPY152 billion, or approximately USD1.38 billion – making it one of the largest buyouts in Japan this year.   The Ropes & Gray team was led by private equity counsel Saeko Inaba  and private equity partner Tsuyoshi Imai, with support from finance counsel Ben Morris, all based in the firm’s Tokyo office.   It is the forth deal that Ropes & Gray