Berkery Noyes Releases First Quarter M&A Report for the Media Industry

NEW YORK, NY, April 21, 2011 (Press-News.org) Berkery Noyes, the leading independent investment bank specializing in the information content and technology industries, today released its First Quarter 2011 Media Industry M&A Report.

According the firm's analysis, the first three months of 2011 surpassed each of last year's quarters in terms of transaction totals and aggregate transaction value, quelling many of the fears that were raised following the media industry's fourth quarter 2010's lackluster numbers.

"A less-than-active Q4 2010 left many doubts about the recovery's trajectory, and, in many ways, its permanence," said John Shea, COO of Berkery Noyes. "The strong aggregate value and volume of this quarter seems to confirm a sector recovery that only three months ago had been put in some doubt."

Internet media reported the largest gain by sector for the quarter, rising over 44% from 63 transactions to 91, as the popularity of media-enabled devices like smart phones and tablets continues to grow.

AOL Inc. and WebMediaBrands, Inc., meanwhile, were the most active acquirers in the quarter based on the number of announced transactions, each with four businesses purchased either directly or through a partner or affiliate. Interestingly, three of those transactions were blogs. Once considered small by definition, blogs accounted for nine transactions in the first quarter, with AOL's $315 million acquisition of The Huffington Post the largest blog transaction Berkery Noyes has tracked.

Unique among investment banking firms, Berkery Noyes combines independent strategic research and industry intelligence with senior information technology banking expertise. Long having been an innovator in database and research technology in M&A, Berkery Noyes has committed itself to providing more expansive and more current information on the acquisition activity in their respective sectors.

A copy of the First Quarter 2011 Media Industry M&A Report is available at the Berkery Noyes website.

About Berkery Noyes
Berkery Noyes is an independent investment banking advisory firm servicing the information industry. Focused on middle-market corporations and financial sponsors, Berkery Noyes is committed to delivering a comprehensive array of industry-leading advisory services. Since its founding by Joseph W. Berkery in 1983, the firm has worked with corporate clients to grow through acquisition, divest non-core assets, and maximize shareholder returns through strategic transactions and restructurings. For private owners, Berkery Noyes helps create liquidity and execute timely exit strategies that achieve the personal and professional objectives. For more information, visit http://www.berkerynoyes.com.