Dentons has advised media management agency, Troika, on its merger with media management and professional services agency the James Grant Group (JGG or the Group).
Troika, founded in 2005 by partners Michael Duff, Melanie Rockcliffe and Conor McCaughan, represents over 300 clients ranging from UK television personalities Graham Norton, Matt Lucas and David Walliams, to global actors Michael Fassbender and Lena Headey.
Troika will add to JGG's existing business which provides bespoke services to over 1500 clients in film, television & radio, sport, music, publishing, digital influencing and increasingly, media rights holdings. Based out of offices in London, New York and LA, it also has a professional services division which provides business affairs, accountancy and legal services. The Group is increasingly investing in intellectual property creation and exploitation in areas such as development finance for film, television, live and recorded music and music publishing, and these services will now be available to all of Troika's clients. Troika will continue to be run by the existing executive team and the partners will join the Group's Shareholder and Operational Boards with immediate effect.
Brian Moore, Corporate partner in Dentons' Edinburgh office who led on the deal, said, "We are delighted to have advised such a well-known name in the media and entertainment space on their merger with another leading industry player. This follows other deals in the sector which Dentons has worked on recently, including Lions Gate Entertainment's purchase of Starz, and ole Media Management's acquisition of Compact Media, as well as our work with BBC Scotland, STV Productions, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Edinburgh International Festival."
Troika partner, Gary O'Sullivan, said, “The world of drama has changed enormously in recent years, and talent’s position has shifted within it. As clients’ expectations of their representation grow with those shifts, we want to be able to meet and exceed them, across more services and on a global level. Merging with a partner with the same philosophy and driven by the principles of client first management means that we help meet our clients' ambitions as they both create and star in the very best of on screen entertainment."
Troika partner, Conor McCaughan, said, "We are extremely grateful for Dentons' guidance and their depth of knowledge and experience as we complete our merger with JGG, enabling Troika to expand our services and presence in the media and entertainment market. The union was cemented over a shared vision of building a leading integrated international management company that reflects the increasingly international nature of our business."
