Acquisition News Release
EQT Fund Management S.à r.l
RCS Number: B 167972
VAT Number: LU-A Boulevard Royal L-2449 Luxembourg Grand Duchy of
Luxembourg
T - F -
www.eqtpartners.com
PRESS RELEASE
December 10, 2018
EQT acquires Cast & Crew – a leading provider of software and services to the entertainment
industry
•
EQT VIII acquires Cast & Crew, a leading provider of software and services to the entertainment
industry, covering payroll & human resources, accounting & financial management and workflow &
productivity
•
Cast & Crew’s solutions simplify and automate complex processes for companies and productions
in the film, television, digital streaming, commercial and live events markets
•
EQT will support Cast & Crew’s impressive growth trajectory by leveraging its operational and
financial resources, including deep sector expertise within TMT and Services and its global
network of Industrial Advisors
The EQT VIII fund (“EQT” or “EQT VIII”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire Cast & Crew
Entertainment Services (the “Company”), a leading technology provider of software and services to
the entertainment production industry, from global technology investing leader Silver Lake.
Founded in 1976 and based in Burbank, California, Cast & Crew provides solutions that simplify and
automate complex processes for companies and productions in the entertainment industry. Its
software products and services assist in the areas of payroll & human resources, accounting &
financial and workflow & productivity. The Company has a 40-year track record of supporting its
customers’ creative pursuits. Cast & Crew’s software products and services have supported the
production of some of the highest-grossing films and music tours of all time, Emmy award-winning
television and digital streaming programs, commercials for many of the most well-known brands, Tony
award-winning Broadway shows, major sports and live event venues and many of the most highly
attended music festivals.
EQT will support Cast & Crew in its next phase of development as the Company focuses on
accelerating product and service expansion in current and new verticals, while continuing to provide
best-in-class service to its customers. Moreover, EQT will leverage its local European presence and
extensive Industrial Advisor Network to accelerate the Company’s international expansion, initially
focused in Europe.
Kasper Knokgaard, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VIII comments: “We have
been very impressed with the Company’s performance and vision for continued transformation in the
entertainment industry. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help shape the next phase of
growth for Cast & Crew, together with an exceptionally talented group of people being led by CEO Eric
Belcher and President John Berkley -- supported by an outstanding executive management team.
Cast & Crew will be able to leverage the entire EQT platform, including our deep sector expertise and
network of Industrial Advisors, to capitalize on the growth opportunities in current and untapped
market segments.”
Eric Belcher, CEO of Cast & Crew, continues: “We are all proud of what Cast & Crew has achieved in
recent years under Silver Lake’s stewardship as our majority shareholder. We have built a very strong
foundation for the future across software products, value-added services and a very strong employee
base focused on customer service and success. We are delighted to partner with EQT and leverage
its international presence and deep sector expertise within media, technology and services as we
move through the next phase of our continued growth.”
Joe Osnoss and Lee Wittlinger, Managing Directors at Silver Lake, add: ”We thank Cast & Crew’s
outstanding management team and employees for their partnership during a period characterized by
impressive growth, accelerating technology innovation and expansion into new entertainment end
markets. We hope and expect that the company will achieve continued success under EQT’s
ownership.”
Morten Hummelmose, Chairman of EQT Partners Inc. and Head of EQT Equity U.S., concludes:
“This is an important transaction for EQT’s large buyout business, as it represents our first transaction
in the U.S. in the TMT and Services sectors. EQT has a long and successful track record of
developing technology companies, and we are confident this will be a great partnership that will
benefit Cast & Crew and all of its stakeholders.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC., Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Aon served as advisors to EQT VIII.
Moelis & Company LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as lead financial advisors to Cast &
Crew. Cast & Crew was also advised by J.P. Morgan. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
acted as legal advisor.
Contacts
Kasper Knokgaard, Partner at EQT Partners, Investment Advisor to EQT VIII, -
US inquiries:
Stephanie Greengarten, -,-Michael Geczi, -,-Patricia Graue, -,-International inquiries: EQT Press Office, -,-About EQT
EQT is a leading investment firm with approximately EUR 50 billion in raised capital across 27 funds.
EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19
billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve
sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership.
More info: www.eqtpartners.com
About Cast & Crew
Cast & Crew provides payroll and human resources, accounting and financial, and workflow and
productivity software and services to the entertainment industry. Cast & Crew’s services include
payroll processing, residuals processing, workers’ compensation services, labor relations, and
production incentives management and financing. Cast & Crew’s PSL production accounting software
serves the needs of the film, television and digital media industries. The company was founded in
1976, and its corporate headquarters are in Burbank, California.
More info: www.castandcrew.com
About Silver Lake
Silver Lake is the global leader in technology investing, with about $45.5 billion in combined assets
under management and committed capital and a team of approximately 100 investment and value
creation professionals located in Silicon Valley, New York, London, and Hong Kong. Silver Lake’s
portfolio of investments collectively generates more than $225 billion of revenue annually and employs
more than 390,000 people globally.
More info: www.silverlake.com