UK-born talent management firm James Grant Group is undertaking a major expansion in the US market with the acquisition of Deckstar Management – home of Blink 182 and Steve Aoki. The move was supported by $12.1m in funding from Investec Growth & Acquisition Finance – a package consisting of term loans and acquisition facilities. This cash includes funding to support further acquisitions. [MBW now understands that the total value of the Deckstar deal was north of $20m, with additional funds coming from JGG’s coffers in addition to the Investec investment. In addition, Deckstar’s founders – Lawrence Vavra and Matt Colon – are now shareholders in the James Grant Group, and will continue to guide the Deckstar business out of Los Angeles.] James Grant Group’s music clients include Louis Tomlinson, James Arthur and The Script. The business also looks after Manic Street Preachers, having acquired Hall Or Nothing Management in 2012. Investec has been working with James Grant Group since 2014, when it backed the management buyout of the business – executed by a team led by CEO Neil Rodford in partnership with European private equity firm Metric Capital. Outside of music, James Grant Group services entertainment clients in sport, TV, literature and beyond. “Following the management buyout three years ago, we had the ambition to continue to grow both organically and through acquisitions with a real focus on expanding our presence and footprint in the US market.” Neil Rodford, James Grant Group Deckstar Artist Management is a US-based artist management company with a focus on electronic dance music. Its other clients include Culture Club, Porter Robinson and Smashing Pumpkins. The business was founded by Lawrence Vavra and Matt Colon alongside the late DJ AM in 2006. Shaun Mullin, Investec Growth & Acquisition Finance, commented: “We are very happy to support James Grant Group’s acquisition of Deckstar. “This deal is a great example of how UK businesses can become truly global. Having worked with Metric and James Grant management for three years, we are very excited by the growth prospects of the business, and look forward to working with the team as they continue to grow.” Neil Rodford, Chief Executive, James Grant Group, said: “Following the management buyout three years ago, we had the ambition to continue to grow both organically and through acquisitions with a real focus on expanding our presence and footprint in the US market. “Investec has played an important role in helping that become a reality. These facilities will not only support this acquisition and further enhance our US offering, but it will help consolidate our position as a market leading transatlantic talent business across a range of sectors.”Music Business Worldwide
UK-based talent management company James Grant Group has acquired US firm Deckstar Management to aid expansion into the American market. The $12.1m deal was funded by Investec Growth & Acquisition Finance in a package made up of term loans and acquisition facilities, and includes cash for other acquisitions. Deckstar Artist Management focuses on electronic dance music and its client roster includes Culture Club and Smashing Pumpkins, while James Grant Group looks after clients in the music, sport, TV and literature worlds.