NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE Commercial Finance's Media, Communications & Entertainment business today announced it closed a transaction as administrative agent for a $137 million credit facility to support the acquisition of Ziff Davis Media's Enterprise Group by Enterprise Media Group, a new portfolio company of Insight Venture Partners. In conjunction with the acquisition, Developer Shed LLC, an existing portfolio company of Insight Venture Partners, was combined with Enterprise Media Group. GE Capital Markets served as sole lead arranger for the financing.
Enterprise Media Group (EMG) produces online content, provides lead generation services and organizes events serving the technology industry. Some of its branded assets include eWEEK magazine, eweek.com, CIO magazine, Baseline magazine, baselinemag.com, Microsoft-watch.com, channelinsider.com, and a database of 3.5 million business and technology users.
"This acquisition, combined with Developer Shed, creates an Enterprise IT industry leader with exceptional product depth," said Larry Handen, managing director of Insight Venture Partners. "It is critical for us to work with financiers like GE -- Media, Communications & Entertainment that have extensive knowledge within B2B media and recognize EMG's success online."
Headquartered in New York and founded in 1995, Insight Venture Partners (www.insightpartners.com) invests in, and partners with, expansion stage and mid-market companies to create long-term value for all stakeholders. The company has raised more than $2 billion in capital to invest in leading software, technology and Internet services companies. Insight takes a global approach to investing, providing hands-on execution and strategic advice to ensure their portfolio companies benefit from Insight's cumulative operational and financial experience.
"The B2B media industry is transitioning from print to online," said Peter Foley, senior managing director and origination leader, GE - Media, Communications & Entertainment. "Enterprise Media Group offers an attractive portfolio of online properties to clients within the Enterprise IT industry and we are proud to be a part of the transaction."
About GE Commercial Finance -- Media, Communications & Entertainment
With over $8 billion in assets and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Norwalk and San Francisco, the Media, Communications & Entertainment business is a global strategic partner to the media, communications & entertainment industries and the technologies that enable them. We bring GE's full resources and financial strength to each relationship, while delivering industry expertise and flexible financing solutions that maximize stakeholder value. www.geMCE.com
About GE Commercial Finance
GE Commercial Finance, which offers businesses around the globe an array of financial products and services, has assets of over $233 billion and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut. GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. www.ge.com
Contacts GE Commercial Finance
Ned Reynolds, 203-229-5717
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CJP Communications
Vu Chung, 212-279-3115 x205
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Jeff Wilson
GE Capital Corporate Finance
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1-203-749-6340