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Midlands advisers complete US deal
Bishopsgate Corporate Finance and Browne Jacobson have successfully advised the shareholders of West Midlands-based Focus Multimedia Limited (trading as Fanatical) on the sale of the business to US-based Fandom Inc. The deal, backed by private equity firm TPG, is
for an undisclosed sum. Fanatical are a leading gaming e-commerce
business established in 2012 by Focus Multimedia Limited in Rugeley - having been founded in 1995 as a distributor of PC CD-ROM software. Their online store has fast become a video
gaming lover’s dream, supplying digital games, ebooks and gaming products such as video game keys (Steam and Uplay) directly to consumers’ PC’s in just a couple of clicks. To date, the site has sold over 80 million
gaming keys to customers in more than 200 countries around the globe and with cutting edge technology and design. San Francisco-based Fandom Inc (previously
known as Wikia) was founded in 1995 and is considered the world’s largest fan platform with more than 330 million monthly users. They specialise in content around gaming,
comic books, movies and TV shows. Craig Johnson, co-founder and managing director of Fanatical, said: “Everyone here at
Fanatical is thrilled to become part of the Fandom family. The synergies between our two companies are undeniable and the opportunities that this acquisition presents are both incredibly exciting and vast. “We felt fully supported by our advisory
teams – their joined-up approach, hard work and dedication ensured the transaction was a smooth one. We really appreciate all they did in successfully getting the deal done and can’t praise them enough.”
‘Everyone here at Fanatical is thrilled to become part of the Fandom family’
James McBain Allan, partner at Bishopsgate
Corporate Finance who provided lead advisory services to Fanatical, said: “This is yet another cross-border deal, advised by Bishopsgate, of a Midlands business which really demonstrates Bishopsgate’s global reach and expertise. This was a complex deal that marks an exciting stage for the Fanatical - Fandom team and we are thrilled to have been part of it.” The Browne Jacobson team was led by
corporate finance partner Paul McCannah, who said: “We are delighted to have delivered a successful outcome for the Fanatical Team on a
Game on: Paul McCannah
deal that is testament to the strength and heritage of the gaming sector in the Midlands. “This latest successful cross-border
transaction has enabled us to further demonstrate the strength of our specialist corporate finance expertise with tech and gaming sector insight on a complex and time critical deal.”
New flight: United Airlines
United Airlines to expand route network
United Airlines has announced plans to expand its global route network with a new daily nonstop service between Boston Logan International Airport and London Heathrow. The carrier plans to operate its premium Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on
the route, with 46 United Polaris Business Class and 22 United Premium Plus seats. The aircraft features the highest proportion of premium seats on any
widebody aircraft operated by a US carrier between London and the United States. "We are thrilled to offer travellers a convenient, non-stop option between Boston and London with this addition to our global network,” said Patrick
36 CHAMBERLINKApril 2021
Quayle, United's vice president of International Network and Alliances. “We will continue to monitor the demand recovery and travel restrictions
as we finalise a start date for this service later in 2021.” United has provided service to London Heathrow for nearly 30 years and
over the course of the pandemic has maintained continuous service between the US and the UK capital. Boston will be United's 19th daily flight between the US and London
Heathrow. Flights are to depart Boston at 10pm and arrive in London at 9.35am the
following morning, with the return journey leaving London at 5pm and landing in the US city at 7.30pm.
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