Veronis Suhler Stevenson, a media and communications-focused private equity firm based in New York, made a stake acquisition in Brand Connections, LLC for an undisclosed amount.

Brand Connections is an integrated media and marketing company based in New York that is best known for its Sky Media advertising campaign on airline seat tray tables.

VSS bought its stake in Brand Connections from The Cypress Group, a private equity firm also based in New York. In the acquisition, VSS has partnered with the Brand Connections management team, including founder and chief operating officer Brian Martin and chief operating officer Geoffrey Kanter. Martin, Kanter, and other executives together are sizable shareholders in the company.

Proskauer Rose and Weiser LLP was legal advisor to VSS on the transaction. Dow Lohnes PLLC and Reed Smith LLP were legal advisors to Brand Connections on the transaction. Brand Connections used investment banking firm Petsky Prunier in the transaction.

Brand Connections CEO Brian Martin added, “My management team and I are excited to be partnering with VSS given their great expertise in the media industry and their longstanding operational focus. We look forward to working together to grow Brand Connections both organically through increased advertiser awareness of the truly integrated brand experience we offer, and via add-on acquisitions.”

Chris Russell, managing director of VSS, said, “The investment in Brand Connections represents a very attractive opportunity to enter into the fast-growing alternative media and marketing space through a stable, scalable platform that is supported by a diversified, blue-chip customer base.” 

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