Making the Most of Mergers and Acquisitions

Few major entertainment and media companies can achieve their desired geographic breadth and diversity of operations and revenue streams purely through organic growth. Mergers, acquisitions, alliances and also divestitures will continue to be necessary to enhance growth and to balance the business portfolio effectively between advertising, subscription and consumer product revenues. Successful transactions demand access to capital markets, a strategy to attract and retain customers, the ability to identify new revenue streams, and a continual realignment of the organisation and culture. At the same time, the accounting, tax, and legal implications must be validated. The end goal is to improve share holder value while managing financial market expectations.

According to Olivier Wolf, Partner in PwC’s European Entertainment & Media practice, "Deal-flow is likely to be particularly strong in continental Europe as it follows the growth cycle of the UK and US. These markets, in turn, tend to mirror the advertising spending curve which, by all accounts, will maintain its upward trajectory."

How PwC can help you

At PwC, we provide advice to both corporate clients and private equity houses on valuation, deal structuring, implementation, and post-deal integration. As dealmakers we have full access to PwC's due diligence and tax specialists and offer seamless, global solutions for both buy- and sell-side clients, based on extensive industry and market knowledge. We provide creative solutions for disposals, fund raising, IPOs and private equity.

PwC's M&A advisory services include advice on all aspects of acquisitions, disposals, private equity transactions and finance raising, including: Deal execution

• Deal origination
• Valuation of assets
• Preparing of business plans and financial modelling of projections
• Capital raising, debt raising and private equity financing
• Project managing other advisers (e.g., lawyers, due diligence providers, etc.)
• Exit strategy reviews