Trillium Partners Advises Boomerang Plus On Its Acquisition Of Oxford Scientific Films

Trillium Partners Limited (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, has advised Boomerang Plus plc (Boomerang), the AIM-listed TV production and media group, on the acquisition of Oxford Scientific Films Limited (OSF), a London based BAFTA and Emmy-award-winning producer of contemporary factual, natural history, science and history programmes.  The transaction was completed on 8th June 2011.

The transaction was structured such that Boomerang owns 70% of the equity of OSF and the OSF management owns 30%.

The Acquisition continues Boomerang’s diversification strategy both in terms of its geographic presence and its customer base, particularly given the OSF Business’s strong links with TV Networks in North America.  The Acquisition also provides access to an extensive back catalogue of programming and experience in exploiting programmes worldwide and strengthens the Boomerang’s position in the Factual genre following the acquisition of Indus Films in October 2009.

Trillium specialises in M&A, financial restructuring and fund raising transactions and corporate finance advice. The firm has an expertise in TV production and distribution, providing support for clients as they undertake transactions to increase scale and profitability and position themselves to take advantage of the changes evolving within the industry.

It is estimated that in the 12 month period ended 30 June 2010 the OSF Business generated revenues of £2.2m and profit before tax of £0.1m.  For the year ended 31 May 2010 Boomerang reported revenues of £21.41m and operating profit of £0.8m.  The Board of Boomerang expects that the Acquisition will be earnings enhancing in the year ending 31 May 2012.

Huw Eurig Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Boomerang Plus, said:
“Bringing on board the talent from the Oxford Scientific Films team is a great boost for Boomerang Plus. Not only does it allow us to continue to deliver our diversification strategy, in terms of both geography and customer base, but it strengthens our ability to exploit programmes to a worldwide audience and fits well with Indus Films, which we acquired in 2009. This Acquisition allows us to build on the strong performance of our Advertiser Funded Programming business and the organic growth seen in Network productions and positions the Company for long term growth .”

Clare Birks, Chief Executive Officer of Oxford Scientific Films, said:
“The acquisition backed by Boomerang Plus is very exciting for the OSF team. The financial and business backing that being part of the Boomerang Plus Group brings will support our strong and experienced creative team in growing the business over the next few years.”

Hugo Montgomery of Trillium added:
“In Boomerang, Huw has organically and through acquisition built a solid platform for future growth.  Trillium is pleased to play a part in assisting Boomerang with its growth and diversification strategy”.

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.


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