ST Engineering Closes Acquisition

Chicago, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], shared the closing of the acquisition by its client, ST Engineering (Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited), of the Newtec Group NV (Newtec), a leader in high-throughput satellite, broadband, mobility, and video distribution products and technology, following the completion of conditions and applicable regulatory approvals in the United States and Europe.

The €250M share purchase in cash for 100% ownership of Newtec, on a cash- and debt-free basis, was announced earlier in 2019.  Newtec will be renamed as ST Engineering iDirect (Europe) NV.

RCBG served as the strategic advisor to ST Engineering.

RCBG Client ST Engineering Acquires Newtec

Chicago, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], announced the acquisition by its client, ST Engineering (Singapore Technologies Engineering Limited), of the Newtec Group NV (Newtec), a leader in high-throughput satellite, broadband, mobility, and video distribution products and technology. The acquisition complements ST Engineering’s portfolio for satellite network operators, service providers, and commercial and government users with critical technologies and customer base.

The aggregate purchase consideration of €250m is on a cash-free and debt-free basis, subject to closing adjustments for net debt and debt-like items, and net working capital. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second-half of 2019.

RCBG served as strategic advisor to ST Engineering.

Kestel to Speak on WiFi Panel

CHICAGO, IL – Joe Kestel, vice president at RCBG, will speak and participate on an industry panel at the LightReading “Future of Cable Business Services” event in New York City in December.  His panel will be addressing the topic ‘Playing the Wireless Card’ and exploring the WiFi-enabled business opportunities for cable operators and their SMB and enterprise clients.

“WiFi is increasingly in the center of commercial and consumer value propositions, and widening circle of business, retail, hospitality, automotive, energy and other emerging markets and business models,” said Kestel.  “Our firm has enjoyed working with wireless innovators along the value chain in Europe and Asia this year, and I look forward to sharing insights from parallel markets with LightReading’s audience.”

RCBG Client Starcom MediaVest Acquires RUN

CHICAGO, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], announced the acquisition by its client, Starcom MediaVest Group, a unit of Publicis Groupe, of RUN, a leading programmatic advertising platform for mobile environments.  RUN’s unique data sets and IDs, atop their data management platform (DMP), will incorporate important data from mobile carriers and connected devices.  This optimizes pattern-based insights and improves predictability and engagement based on consumer interests.

RUN, based in New York City, has complied over 800 million unique profiles, which help improve the targeting, performance and value of mobile advertising.

RCBG Client ADT Begins Collaboration with Intel Security

CHICAGO, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], announced the collaboration of its client ADT, the leader in home security, with McAfee Inc, the leader in personal computer security and unit of the Intel Security Group, to re-define the next generation of security for connected devices and lifestyles.  The companies intend to develop and deliver a platform for consumers to protect what matters most in their physical and digital environments, which are growing in

“We are constantly seeking ways to increase protection for our customers in an increasingly connected and complex world,” said Arthur Orduña, senior vice president and chief innovation officer at ADT, in the company’s press release.  “Partnering with McAfee adds another vital layer of security to our Pulse solution with McAfee LiveSafe service, and opens up innovation for our platforms and products.”

RCBG Client Redbox Forms JV with Verizon

CHICAGO, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], announced the collaboration of its client Redbox Automated Retail LLC, the iconic leader in DVD rentals, and unit of Coinstar Inc, with Verizon Communications Inc, to form a joint venture and service offering to be called Redbox Instant by Verizon.  The JV will offer streaming video services to consumers, to create a wider choice in entertainment formats.

“RCBG was instrumental in helping shape our strategy, identifying the right partner, and supporting the transaction throughout the process”, said Galen Smith, Corporate Vice President & Treasurer of Redbox.  “Their team was focused, effective, and kept the big picture in mind while providing helpful counsel along the way.  The firm had previously supported our video games launch so it was a pleasure to work together again”.

RCBG Leads Due Diligence on Telx Sale

CHICAGO, IL – RCBG, a strategy and advisory firm specialized in TMT [telecom, media, technology], announced the completion of the acquisition of the Telx Group, a leading provider of colocation and interconnect services, by Abry Partners and Berkshire Partners.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

RCBG provided due diligence services for Highbridge Capital Management LLC, the private equity unit of J.P. Morgan, which provided credit facilities and other transaction services.  Data center economics, technologies, and market dynamics have been a focus area for RCBG as business and consumer needs shift to cloud-based resources.

“The cloud is very much a terrestrial operation,” said William Markey, president of RCBG.  “Sophisticated storage, computing, and transit assets come together in a physical space, which has its own unique energy, location, and connectivity requirements.  Making the complex accessible and quantifiable is an important part of RCBG’s value to equity investors and their partners”, added Markey, “and no more so than in cloud platforms and the Internet of Things”.

Markey to Chair Panel at Media Summit

CHICAGO, IL – William Markey, President of RCBG, will chair two panels at a forthcoming conference in Los Angeles, CA. The panels and participants will address changes in business models for advertising, and the implications of web-ready televisions.

“I’m looking forward to joining panelists in the discussion of these key issues and potential outcomes,” Markey said. “IP has flattened most economics, while creating new models and options for consumers. Finding a profitable steady-state among content, distribution and consumption is the challenge.”

The event, the Media Innovations Summit, will be held 27-28 September 2010 in Los Angeles, CA. Speakers will include executives from studios, programmers, content aggregators, fixed and mobile service providers, and technology developers. Markey’s panels include Capturing Opportunity in Web/TV Convergence and Essential Advertising Metrics: What Matters and Where Are We in the Standards Process?. Current panelists include Google, Nielsen, Time Warner and Fourth Wall Media.

Associate Accepted to Harvard Business School

CHICAGO, IL – Matt Thurmond, an associate at the firm, has been accepted to Harvard Business School. He is the second recent associate from RCBG to be admitted.

“We’re thrilled for Matt,” observed William Markey, president of RCBG. “While obviously losing a great talent, we couldn’t be more excited for him and his future. He has worked hard on behalf of our clients, and will bring that same level of intellectual rigor and business skills to HBS.”

Matt, class of 2013, will join Andrew Nartker, class of 2011, among RCBG alums in Cambridge, MA.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of business school,” Matt shared. “At RCBG, my projects touched on fast-paced technology markets and complex business models. I owe much to my colleagues for bringing me up the learning curve, and look forward to applying the knowledge to new problems with fellow students.”