UBM Buys Advanstar Communications, The Parent Company Of Dealernews , Dealer Expo And Of The Progressive International Motorcycle Shows,

CHBadvanstarAdvanstar Communications Inc. announced it will be acquired by UBM Plc for approximately US $972 million. The transaction is subject to approval by UBM shareholders and subject to regulatory and closing conditions, and is expected to close by year end. Advanstar is currently owned by an investor group that includes Anchorage Capital Group LLC, Veronis Suhler Stevenson, and funds managed by the Tradable Credit Group at Ares Management LP.

Advanstar is a leading media company providing integrated marketing solutions for the Fashion, Licensing and Life Sciences industries, in addition to Powersports.”The transaction will combine Advanstar with UBM’s worldwide platform to create the largest events business in the U.S., and maintain Advanstar as the No. 1 player in U.S. fashion industry events,” the company announced.

“The combined company will have a best-in-class portfolio of products and services” that include the MAGIC Marketplace, the largest apparel marketplace in the world for fashion buyers and brands; a New York-based Fashion suite of events that includes 16 different exhibitions; UBM’s Game Developers Conference, the world’s largest and longest running professionals-only game industry event; CPhl Worldwide, the world’s leading pharmaceutical ingredients event; and other properties in the automotive, powersports, healthcare and licensing industries.

Cyril Huze