RockWater Industries

We're hosting a NYC holiday party for creator economy execs. Link to RSVP below ?? https://lnkd.in/gUEZuCzZ We teamed up with OWM founder Jeff Frommer. We both live in NJ and spend much time in NYC doing creator x media things. Excited to bring our networks together. Shout-out to our sponsors --> the law firm of Greenberg Glusker LLP and creator economy partners Eric Perlmutter-Gumbiner and Matthew Dysart, and to Select Management Group. Comment below to get approved off the waitlist, we'll do our best to accommodate!

Due to growing sponsor demand for our industry events, we’ve been asked to share our 2025 event calendar and sponsor rate card. It’s because many of our recent event sponsors have turned sponsorships into new client connections and revenue. (just ask me for references) So below is our newly published 2025 events calendar and rate card. Our event attendees are exec operators and investors across media, agencies, and creator economy. In comments below I'll put links to videos and photos from past events, like our Night Before Vidcon Party, Night of Party for the Creator Economy Summit, and our VIP sunset yacht cruise. Yes, we're really good at producing premium exec events! We’re happy to create custom quotes if partners want to sponsor multiple events. Great fits are any businesses that service creator x media...our sponsors include law firms, wealth managers, creator tools, accounting solutions, talent mgmt co's, and more. Of note, we have an upcoming NYC holiday party on Dec 11, and seek one to two more sponsors. DM me if interested. -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, creator economy. My DMs are open.

SpringHill and Fulwell 73 announced “merger of equals”. Deal informs a structure I rec for subscale talent rep, digital agency, and digital publishers. All in our newsletter below ?? including... ??Why we'll see more "mergers of equals" ??How F73 wants to improve its IP playbook ??The changing content and talent buyer landscape ??The pros / cons of exploring this unique deal structure ??3 strategic options I rec to subscale agency and media co owners Sign up for our newsletter to get more analysis like this in your inbox every week: https://lnkd.in/gsCaH6eM —- I’m the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DM's are open.

SpringHill and Fulwell 73 announced “merger of equals”. Will get $40M investment to adapt to competitive media market. Deal informs a structure I recommend for subscale talent rep, digital agency, and other creator x media companies Let's break it down… ---TARGET 1: The SpringHill Company--- OVERVIEW ? Diversified entertainment and production company ? Focus on sports-related content, but does much more? ? Founded 2020 by LeBron James and Maverick Carter (CEO) ? Combines 3 co’s listed below BIZ UNITS ? SpringHill Entertainment – prodco, founded 2007 ? UNINTERRUPTED – media and consumer products, founded 2015 ? The Robot Company – brand consulting CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS ? Disney+’s The Crossover ? Space Jam: A New Legacy ? Netflix’s Rez Ball,The Playbook, Starting 5 ? HBO’s The Shop (turned into multiplatform brand) CAPITAL MARKETS HISTORY ? 2020 raised $100M for launch from Guggenheim, SC Holdings ? 2021 RedBird-led consortium bought undisclosed minority stake, valued co at $725M STRATEGIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS ? 2022 partnership with IPG to activate diverse creators for brand campaigns ? 2023 spun off Hana Kuma, tennis star Naomi Osaka’s media co (incubated in 2022) ---TARGET 2: --- OVERVIEW ? Production company ? Founded 2005, based in UK ? Founded by Ben Winston, James Corden, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner, Gabe Turner ? Known for live events like Grammy’s, concert specials, Olympics ? Building film / TV studio in Sunderland, UK CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS ? Hulu’s The Kardashians ? ESPN’s Clutch: The NBA Playoffs ? Camila Cabello feature film Cinderella ? HBO’s Friends: The Reunion ? BBC’s Gavin and Stacey ? CBS’s The Late Show with James Corden, incl Carpool Karaoke CAPITAL MARKETS HISTORY ? 2018 raised ￡45M from Valence Media (parent co is Eldridge) ? NOTE: Eldrige remains sole outside investor ---DEAL DETAILS--- ? Announced 11.18.24 ? “Merger of equals” ? To close by year end ? No money changing hands ? Raised $40M from existing investors to drive growth DEAL ORIGINS ? Both co’s talked about working together for years ? Formal merger convos started 10-12 months ago ? 1st broached in parking lot of LA Italian spot Antico Nuovo INVESTORS ?? Fenway Sport, RedBird, UC Investments, Nike, Epic Games, Main Street Advisors, Eldridge Industries ---DEAL VALUE PROP--- ? Build clout with buyers and talent in challenged content market ? Be leader in unscripted and live entertainment in music, entertainment, sports ? Position for growth as streamers / TV networks pair sports rights with companion content ? Help F73 build alt distro, branding, and DTC opps around shows VS just being prodco for hire (inspired by SH’s owning IP like The Shop and going from streaming to YouTube to consumer products) ...I'll write about more about the deal in my Friday M&A newsletter, signup link comments ?? -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, creator economy.

RockWater and OWM teamed up to host a NYC exec holiday soiree! Invites just went out, so check your inboxes. Details... An exclusive, invite-only evening featuring special guest DJ, magician, open bar, apps, and one of the best rooftop lounges overlooking the pinnacle of Manhattan. DATE: Wed Dec 11 TIME: 6-9pm LOCATION: Daintree Rooftop & Lounge in NYC HOSTS: Chris Erwin,?RockWater?| Jeff Frommer,?OWM - Owners Only WHO: Senior execs and founders in media, agencies, creator economy Space is limited, DM me if you want to attend. BIG thanks to our sponsors... Greenberg Glusker LLP is a full-service law firm based in LA with extensive experience representing high-profile creators and digital platforms in deals for a variety of content, consumer products, tours, books, online courses, and more. We also have space for 1 to 2 more sponsors, DM me to learn more -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open.

ECI Partners bought a majority stake in Croud. Highlights M&A deal of PE investing in digital agencies. All in our newsletter below ?? including... ??Croud's 5 acquisitions since 2019 ??How we estimate a ￡190M valuation ??Potential EBITDA multiple in 8x range ??Payout waterfalls based on previous cap table ??Planned use of funds fo M&A post acquisition Sign up for our newsletter to get more analysis like this in your inbox every week: https://lnkd.in/gsCaH6eM —- I’m the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DM's are open.

Abe Wolke is a savvy product builder and entrepreneur. I firt met him via my colleague Michael Booth, who networks into up-and-comer power circles in creator x media. A relationship was built, and our company then advised Abe on the sale of Bounty to gen.video back in September. While Michael took point on the deal, I got to know Abe through a few meetings and phone calls. He's one to bet on. Abe has big ambition, and this deal will likely be one of many he completes over his career. Excited to see what he does next. -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open.

The Veritone One & Oxford Road buyout was a “double bankshot deal”. I estimated EBITDA valuation multiples in my M&A newsletter last week. For each audio agency. VONE easier to do since there were public filings. For OR, I used directional industry benchmarks. I couldn’t share too much since we were a previous corp advisor to company. Link in comments below to read the full analysis ???? — I’m the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open.

ECI Partners bought majority stake in digital agency Croud. I estimate ~$100M investment and ~$200M valuation. Let's break it down… ---SELLER: Croud--- ? Digital ad and performance agency ? Based in London, offices in US and Middle East ? Founded 2011 by Luke Smith, Ben Knight? ? ￡23.5m income for 2022-2023 per Campaign School Report ? Network of 2,900 offshore PT digital marketers (“Croudie Network”) – 20-40% of billable hrs ? TEAM – US: 150 | UK: 450 | Dubai: 10 ---CAP MKTS HISTORY: Croud--- ? 2019 LDC minority investment of ￡30M (Campaign US estimates ￡60M valuation) ? 2024 Club loan from OakNorth of ￡34M (paid off post sale) ? 2025 ECI investment of TBD (I est $100M+) ---M&A HISTORY: Croud--- ? Vert Brands: Atlanta-based digital agency (Jun 2024) ? Born Social: social agency (Nov 2022) ? Impakt Advisors: data & analytics (Dec 2021) ? VERB Brands: luxury digital mktg agency (Nov 2021) ? Metageni: unknown ---BUYER: ECI Partners--- ? PE investor ? Manages ￡2B GBP ? Focuses on growth businesses valued up to ￡300M GBP ? Targets media, data, tech investments ---DEAL DETAILS--- ? Announced 10.31.24? ? Will close in November ? Funded by ￡77.6M club loan from OakNorth, HSBC, Investec, Barclays ? Formal M&A sales process was run for Croud ? Interested parties included agency networks and PE in UK, US ? 160 employees received cash bonuses ---DEAL VALUE PROP--- ? Retain its leadership in media, data, creative services ? Increase M&A in US over next 5 years ...I'll write more about deal in my Friday newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gsCaH6eM -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, creator economy. My DMs are open.

What my fiancée thinks I do for work… See image???? What I think I do… - Financial and strategy advisory - Expertise in M&A, fundraising, market research, strategy, budgeting, and go-to-market planning - Clients are media, digital agency, and creator co’s …but perhaps I should revisit my pitch! — I’m the founder of RockWater Industries. My DMs are open.