Trillium Partners (Trillium), the independent corporate finance advisory firm, is pleased to announce that it has acted as corporate finance adviser to Zinc Media Group plc (Zinc) on its acquisition of Raw Cut Ventures Limited (Raw Cut), for an initial consideration of £1.0m and a maximum overall consideration of £6.5m. Trillium has also acted as corporate finance adviser to Zinc on the disposal of Zinc Communicate Publishing to The Datateam Group.

Zinc is an award-winning television, brand and audio production group. Raw Cut is a leading independent television production and distribution company and is the UK’s market leader in ‘Blue Light’ programming, producing popular returning series such as Road Wars and Police Interceptors. In addition, Raw Cut is known for its critically acclaimed True Crime, History, and Feature Documentaries for leading streamers and broadcasters including Netflix, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

In relation to Raw Cut, Trillium advised Zinc on all aspects of the acquisition, in particular: (1) devising an earnout structure for the deal; (2) assisting the parties in reaching detailed Heads; (3) advising on and negotiating the definitive agreement for the transaction; and (4) managing all aspects of transaction execution.

Zinc Communicate Publishing is a tele-sales and contract publishing company which sells advertising and commercial inventory as well as producing publications within the Construction and Freight industries and building control guides for local authorities in England.

Trillium Partners advised Zinc on all aspects of the disposal, in particular: (1) advising on sale strategy and tactics; (2) positioning the assets for sale and assisting in the preparation of marketing collateral; (3) identifying prospective buyers; (4) leading negotiations with prospective buyers and advising on the selection of the preferred buyer; (5) advising on and negotiating the definitive agreement for the transaction.

Mark Browning, Zinc’s CEO, commented:

“Trillium played a key role throughout both transactions and provided us with insightful and actionable advice at all stages. Their project leadership ensured that workstreams across these two processes were completed to a high standard and on a timeline that worked for all parties. In all, Trillium made a significant contribution to the delivery of these strategic initiatives and we look forward to working together in future.”

Stephen Routledge, Managing Director at Trillium, added:

“The acquisition of Raw Cut is a well-judged deal and a highly attractive acquisition for Zinc. Undertaken at a sensible valuation, it stands to make a material contribution to Zinc’s strategic development in future years.

The Raw Cut acquisition follows the disposal of Zinc Communicate Publishing earlier in October, and together the completion of these two deals in the same month highlights Trillium’s capacity to support its clients.

My colleagues and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Mark Browning and his team on the acquisition and the disposal and are pleased to have contributed to two important strategic initiatives for Zinc. These transactions further strengthen our track record in the Consumer Media and Marketing Services sectors and highlight our broad capabilities in providing corporate finance advice to UK public companies.”

About Trillium Partners

Trillium is an independent mid-market firm advising listed companies, private businesses and financial sponsors in M&A and Private Capital raising transactions in the B2B Information Services and Events, Consumer Media, Learning and Development and Marketing Services.

Over the last 35 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 Frank Larty on +44 (0)20 3008 8375