We believe that our access to relevant people and information and relationship network in our targeted industry sectors of media and consumer products are unmatched by other middle market private equity firms. This access provides a distinct competitive advantage in generating investment opportunities, performing diligence and creating and realizing value in portfolio companies, both within our traditional core areas of media and consumer products as well as in other areas.

Through our over 100 years of collective investment and operating experience, we have established close relationships with senior personnel across nearly all major financial and many important strategic firms in our primary targeted industry sectors. Through our historical investment and professional experiences, we have superior access to chief executives and other business leaders, investment bankers and other deal intermediaries, and traditional and non-traditional financing sources. These relationships provide us with:

• Proprietary, preferred-buyer and competitive deal flow;
• Advance information and insight regarding businesses that may potentially be sold;
• Information on industry trends, opportunities and vulnerabilities;
• Introductions to key industry personnel, whether for management roles at portfolio companies or to obtain unique industry insight;
• Potential joint venture or operating partner relationships for portfolio companies; and
• Timely and unique access to financing market participants, allowing us to optimize pricing and leverage levels in financing transactions