Standard & Poor's, A Division of McGraw-Hill, Sells Vista Research to Guidepoint Global
New York, NY (May 22, 2009): Marlin & Associates (M&A), the New York–based boutique investment banking and strategic consulting firm specializing in acquisitions and divestitures of U.S. and international middle–market technology, information and business services firms, today announced its most recent transaction: the sale of Vista Research to Guidepoint Global.
Marlin & Associates initiated this transaction, helped manage the process, assisted in the negotiations and acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw–Hill Companies.
"We are pleased to have helped S&P to develop and evaluate strategic alternatives for Vista, and to advise them on this transaction," said Ken Marlin, M&A’s managing partner. "Vista and Guidepoint are among the leading expert networks in the country. Their strengths are complementary, and the combination should bring considerable benefits to the customers and employees of both organizations. Together, they should be a formidable presence in the industry."
According to the Guidepoint press release: The strategic combination of over 130,000 global experts creates one of the largest industry networks in the world, strengthening Guidepoint’s leadership in the expert network field and building on its healthcare expertise with Vista’s depth and breadth in Technology, Media, Telecommunications, Energy, Industrials, Retail, Financial Services, and Leisure and Gaming sectors. Additionally, the complementary union provides clients with a global reach through offices and dedicated recruiters in the United States, Europe, and Asia. With the acquisition of Vista Research, Guidepoint Global will expand its team of client service professionals and recruiters to support a client base that includes many of the world’s leading private equity firms, mutual funds, hedge funds, strategy consultancies and multinational companies.
"In the current economic climate, investors and business decision makers are increasingly seeking on–demand knowledge and insights through expert networks," said Albert Sebag, CEO of Guidepoint Global. "Guidepoint’s acquisition of Vista, a pioneer in the expert network field, gives our clients access to one of the most comprehensive primary research networks in the world, delivered with the single–minded focus on customized service that they have come to expect."
According to the McGraw–Hill press release: "The divestiture of Vista Research advances our business portfolio management strategy of directing resources to businesses where we have the best opportunities for achieving significant financial growth, higher margins and market leadership," said Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw–Hill Companies. "This will allow us to bring even greater focus to expanding Standard & Poor’s Investment Services position as the world’s leading provider of independent investment research, analysis, data and opinions for investment managers and advisors."
About The McGraw–Hill Companies
Founded in 1888, The McGraw–Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor’s, McGraw–Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2008 were $6.4 billion.
About Guidepoint Global, LLC
Guidepoint Global is a leading primary research firm founded in 2003 providing customized information solutions in the Healthcare, Technology, Media, Telecommunications, Energy, Industrials, Consumer Goods & Services, and Financial Services sectors. Clients include some of the world?s leading private equity firms, mutual funds, hedge funds, strategy consultancies and multinational companies. Through phone consultations, face–to–face meetings, custom surveys, and proprietary data products, coupled with an industry–leading compliance platform, Guidepoint provides its clients with the insight required to make informed decisions.
About Vista Research, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Vista Research, Inc. is a pioneer in the expert network field supporting institutional money managers, corporations and legal and consulting firms. Vista Research provides its clients with an efficient and unique opportunity to gain direct insight into a particular company or industry by connecting its clients with members of the Society of Industry Leaders, a global network of leading experts and prominent industry professionals.
About Marlin & Associates
Founded in 2002, Marlin & Associates New York LLC (“M&A”) is a boutique investment banking and strategic consulting firm focused on providing highly strategic, transaction–related services to U.S. and international middle–market firms engaged in technology, information, online media and business services. The firm is based in New York City, with offices in Washington, DC and Toronto, Canada.
The firm has been the recipient of numerous awards, including “Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year,” “Middle Market Financing Agent of the Year – Equity” and numerous “Deal of the Year” awards. M&A’s professionals have advised on over 200 successfully completed transactions in the technology and information services sector.
For more information, go to www.MarlinLLC.com.
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