Late last week it was rumored equity firm Trilantic Europe was close to buying the James Grant Group management firm.
Now that deal is finalized, with the terms announced in a press release.
Trilantic is the majority shareholder in the new company, which will be rebranded as YM&U starting in 2019. Current management and employees will retain the remaining shares.
The deal is rumored to be worth more than $100 million, but reps for the company did not respond to requests. Trilantic says that it will leave YM&U’s executive team in place to continue to run the group.
James Grant Group us a UK-based management firm that serves talent in several different areas of entertainment. That includes music, comedy, film, stage, and sports. JGG merged with LA-based music management firm Deckstar in 2017, adding talent like Steve Aoki, Blink-182, Rancid, and Bush to the JGG umbrella.
Earlier this year, the company also absorbed UK-based Machine Management, bringing aboard Years & Years, Mika, and Clean Bandit.
Trilantic says that all of the various divisions acquired under JGG will continue under the new YM&U brand beginning January 1st. Only the film-focused Troika will retain its unique identity after the rebranding. The firm manages actors like Michael Fassbender, Keeley Hawes, Richard Madden, and Jamie Dornan.
The YM&U executive Neil Rodford cited Trilantic’s “management experience on both sides of the Atlantic” as the primary reason for the new partnership.
Speaking on behalf of Trilantic Europe, Joe Cohen said that, “Few companies have the range of services and the professional expertise that YM&U can offer. We look forward to working with management to expand the company’s services and to further grow YM&U both organically and by identifying acquisitions that share a common cultural fit and sector focus.”