Lord of the Rings Deal
Lord of the Rings Deal
LOTR

CREDIT: THE SAUL ZAENTZ COMPANY

EXCELLENCE
"One Deal to rule them all"
Thomas Dey

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Syco
EXCELLENCE
"ACF's certainly got talent"
Ian Rosenblatt OBE

CREDIT: SYCO ENTERTAINMENT

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Bear Grylls
INTEGRITY
“You only get one chance
at life and you have to
grab it boldly”
Bear Grylls

CREDIT: BEAR GRYLLS VENTURES

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Paddington
INSIGHT
“Success doesn't come
to you, you go to it.”
Marva Collins

CREDIT: PADDINGTON AND COMPANY

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Shamrock Capital - Boardwalk Pictures credit
INSIGHT
“Stay true to yourself, never let
what somebody says distract
you from your goals.”
Michelle Obama

CREDIT: BOARDWALK PICTURES

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Pilgrim

CREDIT: PILGRIM STUDIOS

INSIGHT
“Success comes to
those who act!”
Henry David Thoreau

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Leftfield
INSIGHT
“The key to success is to
focus on goals not obstacles”
Unknown

CREDIT: LEFTFIELD ENTERTAINMENT

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Plimsoll Productions

CREDIT: PLIMSOLL PRODUCTIONS

INSIGHT
“Success is not final,
failure is not fatal:
it is the courage to
continue that counts.”
Winston Churchill

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Love Productions

CREDIT: LOVE PRODUCTIONS

INTEGRITY
“ When something
is important enough,
you do it even if the odds
are not in your favour”
Elon Musk

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

Top Gear
EXCELLENCE
“Success comes to
those who act”
Henry David Thoreau

CREDIT: TOP GEAR

INTEGRITY

EXCELLENCE

INSIGHT

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ACF sell Thinkfactory Media to ITV Plc

Gene Simmons Family Jewels

ACF Investment Bank is pleased to announce the sale of Thinkfactory Media to ITV Plc.

ACF is a leading international specialist investment bank with offices in London and Los Angeles,  assisting individuals and businesses wishing to maximise the value of people and intellectual property-based businesses.

Our global track record in TV production and distribution is unrivalled. We have advised on more than 50 deals in the sector including 8 of the leading deals in the US. Our deals include; the sale of Jeremy Clarkson’s and Andy Wilman’s stake in Top Gear to BBC Worldwide, Leftfield Entertainment’s acquisition of Sirens Media, the sale of BASE Productions and A.Smith & Co Productions to the Tinopolis Group, Left Bank Pictures to Sony Pictures, Left Right to Red Arrow, Gurney Productions to ITV Plc, The Garden Productions to ITV Plc and High Noon to ITV Plc.

Our recent acquisition of Mediatique’s Corporate Finance team means our portfolio of team experience now includes; 19 Entertainment’s sale to CKX (Core Media Group), Shed Media to Warner Bros, Firecracker to the Tinopolis Group and Kuperman Productions to Endermol.

If you are considering selling your company, buying a company or raising finance, we have the expertise and track record to help you find the right solution.

Thomas Dey, Chief Executive Officer and his team acted as Investment Banker to Thinkfactory Media.


Thinkfactory Media was founded in 1992 by Hollywood producer, Leslie Greif, a leading US producer of reality, entertainment, scripted drama, unscripted series, documentaries, mini-series, branded entertainment projects and various movies of the week.

Thinkfactory  is  a  five  times  Emmy  Award  winner,  with 16 nominations, and produces for all major cable networks including; HBO, ABC, A&E, Lifetime, TLC, VH1 and  We TV.

It is a full service production company and is producer of world-wide hits such as; Walker, Texas Ranger, Gene Simmons Family Jewels and the ground breaking Hatfields and McCoys starring Kevin Costner.


This is ITV’s 3rd acquisition in the US over the past six months brokered by ACF Investment Bank.

Their acquisitions include a majority stake in Gurney Productions in December 2012 and High Noon Entertainment in May 2013. They also acquired UK producer, The Garden in April 2013.


Thinkfactory Media World-wide super hits

Hatfield & McCoys
Hatfield & McCoys
Walker Texas Rangers
Walker Texas Rangers

“We are thrilled to team up with Paul Buccieri and ITV, one of the world’s most respected names in television. While retaining the independent spirit that keeps Thinkfactory Media creative, this relationship not only allows us to continue producing top-quality scripted and unscripted content, but enhances the potential for global distribution and continued success in the marketplace.”

Leslie Greif, Chief Executive Officer, Thinkfactory Media

“Thanks to ACF Investment Bank’s Thomas Dey and Richard Gray for their unique insight, without their tremendous help, we wouldn’t have been able to orchestrate this wonderful marriage between these two companies; because of their brilliant efforts, we look forward to a lifelong adventure and successful ride with ITV.”

Leslie Greif, Chief Executive Officer, Thinkfactory Media

“Thinkfactory Media is an award winning production company with a reputation for leading edge programmes and a portfolio that includes reality and entertainment hits such as Walker Texas Rangers, Hatfields and McCoys, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, R&B Divas, Preachers’ Daughters, Marriage Bootcamp and The Hook up. We provided Leslie with advice and guidance during this exciting phase of Thinkfactory’s strategic growth and think this is the perfect strategic fit for both businesses.”

Thomas Dey, Chief Executive Officer ACF Investment Bank


5/5

What People Are Saying

“Since this was our first time working with an investment bank and raising capital for any of our businesses, I wasn’t sure what to expect. ACF has a great reputation and came highly recommended from several people that I hold in high regard. Overall, the experience working with Richard, Milos and Thomas was pure joy. They were the perfect partner for us, as they educated us as we were working through the process, they challenged us to think bigger about the scope and scale of our business, and they aggressively represented our business in the marketplace bringing multiple opportunities to us in a very challenging economic time. The partnership and guidance they provided was essential and they were extremely easy to work with. I only hope this is the first of many deals that we are able to execute together.”

Shawn Gee
Two One Five Entertainment

"ACF’s certainly got talent. Their team, led by the ever-tenacious Thomas Dey, delivered on their promises and introduced the perfect partners to achieve our goals."

Ian Rosenblatt OBE, Director
Syco Entertainment

"Given the complexities and importance of the rights at stake in our transaction, we interviewed several investment bank candidates at length before retaining ACF to guide our process.  We could not have chosen better!  ACF personnel were dedicated, creative, practical, responsive and deeply knowledgeable about the intricacies of the sales process. Over the months involved, Thomas, Richard, Tatiana and the rest of the ACF staff met with and worked skillfully and credibly with scores of potential buyers and with our own employees leading ultimately to a high value and very fair outcome benefitting both our company and the buyer. They have our deep respect and gratitude for a job so well accomplished"

Marty Glick, COO
The Saul Zaentz Company

“At this stage of 72’s development, there are great advantages and opportunities of joining forces with Fremantle. Their extensive international infrastructure and expertise will provide 72 Films with the platform to have our work seen across the world. We know and like their excellent team. And they offer us not only fantastic support but complete creative freedom so we can continue to work in the same way.

It’s been a real pleasure working with Thomas Dey and the whole team at ACF. They are brilliant at what they do. And alongside Matisse it’s been an incredible team behind this deal.”

Mark Raphael, David Glover, Founders and Chief Executive Officers
72 Films

“This exciting new deal between Broke and Bones and Netflix marks an exciting period of content creation, demonstrating the strong relationship between market leading creatives and the streaming platforms. ACF brokered the deal using our strong track record, experience and access in the UK and USA scripted markets. Premium content continues to lead the market with strong deals that ACF have closed including advising Mammoth Screen on sale to ITV, Neal Street to All3Media, Left Bank Pictures to Sony, Thinkfactory to ITV, Paddington Bear to Studio Canal, New Pictures to All3Media, and Carnival Pictures to NBC Universal.”

Thomas Dey, CEO
ACF Investment Bank

"It has been an incredible journey for Delbert and I to get to the stage where we can build out our adventure shows under our own Studio. We stand on the shoulders of many giants, the ACF team have been incredible guides through the process - at its heart this is about building the ultimate home of adventure programming worldwide."

Bear Grylls & Delbert Shoopman
The Natural Studios

"Critical Content has been a leading player in the unscripted space for the last decade, led by a first class team. Media continues to dominate the deal landscape, with content leading the pack. What a great start to 2022! Congratulations to the whole team."

Thomas Dey, CEO
ACF Investment Bank

"Boardwalk Pictures are one of the preeminent producers of premium content and this partnership with Shamrock secures Boardwalks positioning as a leading player in this market. Shamrock’s deep understanding and experience in the content space makes them great partners for Andrew and the team at Boardwalk. I look forward to seeing the growth and future success of this partnership."

RIchard Gray, Managing Director
ACF Investment Bank