Sterling Partners has acquired PlattForm Advertising, a provider of marketing and enrollment-management services to colleges and universities, from Arlington Capital Partners. Michael Platt, founder and chairman of PlattForm, is partnering with Sterling in this transaction and will retain an equity interest in the company.
PlattForm Advertising is a provider of search engine marketing; interactive lead generation; online marketing; traditional media placement and creative services to support the marketing and enrollment-management efforts of colleges and universities. The company was founded in 1989 and is based in Lenexa, KS (www.plattformad.com).
“Sterling Partners is thrilled to partner with Michael Platt and his management team to further enhance and grow the business by offering comprehensive marketing solutions to its college and university client base,” said Rick Elfman, a Sterling Partners senior managing director. “Today, more traditional universities need integrated marketing services as they bring programs online, and PlattForm’s innovative digital marketing expertise is uniquely suited to help them.”
Sterling Partners invests growth capital in industries with positive, long-term trends and provides ongoing support to management through a dedicated team of industry veterans, operators, strategy experts and human capital professionals. Sectors of interest include education, healthcare and business services. The firm was founded in 1983 and has offices in Chicago, Baltimore, and Miami (www.sterlingpartners.com).
“Sterling Partners has such tremendous knowledge in the education sector, which will bring value to our partnership,” said Mr. Platt, who founded PlattForm in the basement of his home 23 years ago. “We could not have found a more perfect partner and we are excited to continue to grow PlattForm together.”
© 2013 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 1-10-13