Marathon Group (France) - Oct 2007

Bridgepoint has sold television producer Marathon, formerly known as Teleimage, to Italian media group DeAgostini for an enterprise value of between E200-300m. Bridgepoint, which reportedly generated satisfactory returns from this sale, had originally thought of floating the company and began working on an IPO in 2006. However, following interest from industrial and financial suitors, the buyout house mandated Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro and Rothschild to run an auction process. French film producer Gaumont was among the bidders, as were Apax Partners and PAI partners. Xavier Robert and Pierre Colasson led the business for Bridgepoint.

Previous funding Bridgepoint acquired 75% of Teleimage in 1998. The business then grew through the acquisition of GTV from Gaumont, games and entertainment producer ALP, and finally Marathon in January 2006, effectively doubling the company’s size and renaming it. In 2006, Marathon generated revenues of approximately E100m, with EBITDA of around E25m.

Advisers

Vendor - ABN AMRO, (Corporate Finance)Vendor - Deutsche Bank (DB Consult), (Corporate Finance)Vendor - Rothschild & Co, (Corporate Finance)

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• Trade sale