• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, January 9, 2018

Endeavor Global Marketing (EGM) has agreed to acquire branding and marketing firm 160over90, the companies confirmed Tuesday.Terms were not disclosed, but The Wall Street Journal cited undisclosed sources indicating that the deal is valued at about $200 million. The seller is private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners.

The transaction is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approval, the companies said.

160over90’s clients include well-known brands in sports and other sectors including Ferrari, the Indianapolis Colts, the Philadelphia Eagles, Texas A&M University, University of Virginia, UCLA and Under Armour.

The transaction follows investments in EGM from Silver Lake, CPPIB, Fidelity, Sequoia Capital, SoftBank and others that will help accelerate the company’s global growth strategy through acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures.

EGM has made a number of strategic investments across the marketing landscape in the past few years, including the acquisitions of experiential agencies IMG LIVE and Fusion Marketing and public relations firm Catalyst as well as TSC, an experiential marketing firm in Australia. The unit’s parent company, Endeavor holds a sizeable minority stake in creative agency Droga5.

Following the completion of the transaction, 160over90’s roughly 180 employees will join the  Endeavor Global Marketing team and continue to be led by CEO and Principal John Campanella, who will report to Ed Horne, EGM’s executive vice president.

“160over90 is unique in its commitment to sustainable brand storytelling, helping emerging and established brands and organizations connect with their constituents in compelling ways that stand out,” stated Horne.

The companies also noted that 160over90’s founding partners Shannon Price Slusher and Darryl Cilli will remain involved with the firm and its marquee accounts. 160over90 is headquartered in Philadelphia, with offices in Newport Beach, California; Gainesville, Florida and Columbus, Ohio.