Searchlight Capital Partners has acquired a majority equity interest in 160over90, a branding and creative services agency.
The 160over90 agency portfolio can be divided into three segments. In the consumer space, 160over90 counts Nike, Ferrari North America, and Under Armour among its clientele. In the world of professional sports, the agency represents the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Coyotes. In higher education, the firm is the agency of record for UCLA, Texas A&M University, and the University of Florida.
160over90 was founded by CEO Shannon Slusher and COO Darryl Cilli and has approximately 150 employees in the company’s three locations: Philadelphia, PA; Newport Beach, CA; and Gainesville, FL (www.160over90.com).
To create shareholder value, Searchlight intends to increase the services provided by 160over90 and extend its geographic reach. The agency’s brand, locations, and management team will remain intact.
“Searchlight’s international presence, investment acumen, and financial support will accelerate 160over90’s expansion and global reach, build our integrated services, and allow us to continue to recruit the best and brightest branding talent,” said Mr. Slusher. “We are excited to have them as our partner.”
Searchlight Capital Partners invests equity and debt in companies active in the telecom; communications, information and information technology services; business and financial services; industrial goods; and consumer sectors. The firm was founded in 2010 by its partners Oliver Haarmann, Erol Uzumeri, and Eric Zinterhofer. Searchlight is headquartered in London with additional offices in New York and Toronto (www.searchlightcap.com).
“160over90 has built an impressive, diversified portfolio of nationally recognized brand leaders and distinguished itself as one of the most innovative branding agencies in North America. We are thrilled to partner with the 160over90 team, and see great potential for building a network around them,” said Mr. Zinterhofer.
160over90 is the only branding agency in Searchlight’s current stable of portfolio companies. Other investments include Hunter Boot, a British boot and footwear brand; Roots, a Canadian retailer of women’s, men’s, children’s, and baby’s apparel; Ocean Outdoor, a UK provider of large-format, digital, advertising locations; and TouchTunes, an in-venue music and entertainment platform.
© 2016 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 3-2-16
