SSG Capital Advisors, LLC ("SSG") acted as the investment banker to Penthouse (the "Company") in the sale of all of its outstanding stock to Penthouse Global Media, Inc. The transaction closed in February 2016.
Penthouse is an iconic name in adult entertainment. With worldwide recognition and a long history, the Company successfully leveraged the brand from its roots as a published magazine into a diversified media business, including popular online sites; broadcast content available throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean; and licensing arrangements covering a broad array of products and services.
FriendFinder Networks, Inc., which owned Penthouse, sought to sell certain ancillary service lines in order to de-lever the business. The Company endured erratic operating performance due to the changing dynamics of the adult entertainment industry, specifically the proliferation of free content and the decline in popularity of traditional print publications.
SSG was retained by the Company to run a sale process. In light of the international scope of the adult entertainment industry and the Company's worldwide operations, SSG's marketing process included potential buyers from around the globe. The Company was ultimately acquired by Penthouse Global Media, Inc., an entity created by Kelly Holland, the current Managing Director of Penthouse.
Other professionals who worked on the transactions include:
- Sean P. Coyle of Akerman, LLP, counsel to Penthouse/FriendFinder Networks, Inc.;
- Barry L. Dastin and Russ A. Cashdan of Hogan Lovells, counsel to Penthouse Global Media, Inc.; and
- Robert Campbell of Noble Financial Capital Markets, Inc., investment banker to Penthouse Global Media, Inc.
SSG contacts on this deal:
- J. Scott Victor, Managing Director
- Michael Goodman, Managing Director
- Teresa C. Kohl, Director
- Brett E. Kravitt, Analyst
SSG Capital Advisors is an independent boutique investment bank that assists middle-market companies and their stakeholders in completing special situation transactions. SSG Capital Advisors, LLC is a wholly owned broker dealer of SSG Holdings, LLC. SSG is a registered trademark for SSG Capital Advisors, LLC. SSG provides investment banking, restructuring advisory, merger, acquisition and divestiture services, private placement services and valuation opinions.