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Oaklyn Consulting Congratulates Effie On Strategic Transaction with Ascential

Oaklyn Consulting congratulates Effie, a U.S. nonprofit whose annual Effie Awards honor global marketing effectiveness, on its transaction with Ascential, the UK-based company that owns LIONS, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

Oaklyn Consulting assisted Effie in negotiating the business terms of the complex transaction. In addition to social, business and regulatory considerations, the deal involved a U.S. nonprofit, its Chinese subsidiary, a publicly listed British company, and a mix of cash, non-cash and charitable payments.

Effie leads, inspires and champions the practice and practitioners of marketing effectiveness globally, hosting the largest, most robust and prestigious marketing effectiveness awards in the world. Effie provides insights from over 125 markets, in addition to tools and training. Effie’s coveted effectiveness rankings, the Effie Index, help recognize the most effective brands, marketers, and agencies globally, regionally, and locally.

Effie sold most of its operations to Ascential. The proceeds of the deal will benefit the continuing mission of the nonprofit, which will be known as The Effie LIONS Foundation. Although the deal terms are not public, Effie’s revenue in FY 2022 was $10 million and Ascential’s 2023 marketing segment revenue was $320 million.

Click here for more details on the transaction.

The success of this intricate deal demonstrates the value of Oaklyn Consulting’s hourly consulting model for investment banking, which is designed for deals that don’t align with the traditional investment banking business relationship. Oaklyn Consulting adds value for its referral partners and clients by providing high-end, thoughtful consulting assistance tailored to unique circumstances.

Oaklyn Consulting is a different kind of investment banking firm for small- and medium-sized companies under private ownership. Oaklyn plans and executes its clients’ most complex transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, capital-raising, recapitalizations, and lender and investor relations. Oaklyn supports businesses, investment firms, nonprofits, co-ops and partnerships. By working as consultants, not brokers, Oaklyn helps in situations where traditional investment bankers typically cannot.

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