Trillium Partners is pleased to announce that it has acted as the exclusive financial adviser to Immediate Media Co (Immediate), the special interest content and platform company, on the sale of two leading global media brands, Cyclingnews and Procycling, to Future plc, a global multi-platform media company focused on specialist consumer and B2B sectors.

Cyclingnews is a leading online destination covering the sport of professional road cycling. The site is the passionate cycling fan’s first port of call for the latest news, race results, live race coverage, race photography, interviews and exclusive features. Since its inception in 1995, Cyclingnews has cultivated a loyal following with millions of professional cycling fans.

Procycling is a high-quality magazine that serves as the authoritative voice of international professional road racing. With exclusive features and spectacular photography, Procycling brings to life the complexities, rivalries and hardships of the professional scene. Published 13 times annually, Procycling reaches engaged readers across the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Italy.

Trillium Partners: (1) advised on sale strategy and tactics; (2) positioned the brands for sale and assisted in the preparation of marketing collateral; (3) identified prospective buyers; (4) led negotiations with prospective buyers and advised on the selection of buyers; (5) coordinated a full due diligence process and various legal and accounting work streams; and (6) assisted in documenting the transaction.

Tom Bureau, CEO at Immediate, commented:
“Cyclingnews and Procycling are two fantastic brands that reach passionate, highly engaged audiences around the world. We are proud of having helped these brands grow, and we believe they will continue to thrive under Future’s ownership. Trillium has supported us throughout the sale process with the utmost professionalism.”

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, commented:
“We are delighted to have advised Immediate on its divestment of two industry leading brands: Cyclingnews and Procycling. Future is a great strategic fit for these outstanding brands, and Trillium was able to leverage its extensive knowledge of the specialist consumer media landscape to find the best buyer. This transaction further strengthens our track record in the B2C media sector.”

About Trillium Partners
Trillium Partners is an independent mid-market firm that advises listed companies, private firms and financial sponsors on M&A and Private Capital raising transactions valued at £20 million to £500 million in the B2B Information Services and Events, Consumer Media, Learning and Development, and Marketing Services.

Over the last 30 years, we have advised our clients on a comprehensive array of transactions in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia, with an aggregate value in excess of £10 billion. Underpinned by deep sector knowledge and insight, our expertise extends from private acquisitions and disposals to public offers and raising capital from the private equity, family office, banking and alternative finance communities for working capital, business development, acquisitions and buy-outs.

Trillium transaction team
Stephen Routledge (Managing Director)
David Leung (Associate Director)
Verona Zhou (Senior Analyst)

For more information regarding this transaction, please contact Stephen Routledge or David Leung on +44 (0)20 3008 8375