AMR International supports Austin Ventures with its acquisition of Asset International
Working alongside industry veteran, James Casella, Austin Ventures was interested in acquiring Asset International (AI), a B2B provider of financial services information delivered through print, online and events. AI’s core titles, PLANSPONSOR and PLANADVISER, offer pension product advertisers access to key pension plan decision-makers.
AMR International supported Austin Ventures with commercial due diligence on the transaction. To understand the competitive positioning and growth prospects for each core publication, AMR undertook over 90 interviews with current, former and potential advertisers and subscribers focusing on advertiser budgets during the financial crisis. AMR concluded that, as the leading publications in the retirement mid-market, PLANSPONSOR and PLANADVISER are likely to drive AI’s overall growth. Indeed, pension plan provider advertising budgets are expected to rise, partly because of the need to maintain brand visibility and credibility during the recession. Following AMR’s recommendations, Austin Ventures acquired AI in an all-equity deal, with the intention of leveraging the business once credit is more readily available. James Casella was installed as CEO of the business.
“AMR’s customer due diligence was excellent and provided us with the business insights we needed to close the deal. They were a trusted partner in the entire process.” James Casella