LionTree

We’re pleased to welcome Sarah R. Bond as a Senior Advisor to LionTree. Sarah is a global technology operator and public company board director with more than two decades of experience across technology, consumer platforms, partnerships and interactive entertainment, most recently as President of Xbox at Microsoft. Across her career, Sarah has worked at the intersection of technology, business models, partnerships, regulation and human behavior. She brings deep experience in platform strategy, ecosystem development, consumer adoption, strategic partnerships and leading complex businesses through periods of significant transformation. As a Senior Advisor, Sarah will bring that operator’s perspective to LionTree’s work across technology, media, entertainment, gaming and consumer businesses, particularly as traditional categories converge and companies rethink platforms, ecosystems and how they reach and serve customers. Sarah will serve LionTree in an independent advisory capacity while continuing her other board, advisory and professional activities.

Podium Entertainment, the audiobook industry’s third-largest publisher, was acquired today by leading global investment firms Flexpoint Ford and Shamrock Capital, from Presidio Investors. With extensive content creator and artist investment expertise, Flexpoint and Shamrock have now partnered with the leadership at Podium to accelerate and scale the business model, as the company competes at the highest levels of global publishing. LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as exclusive financial advisor to Podium on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/e63mNsSf

MARI, the global events and experiences company founded by Ariel Emanuel, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ATG Entertainment, a leading international theater company spanning venue operations, production and ticketing, from Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. The acquisition reflects MARI’s conviction in the growing power of live experience, adding theater as a defining part of its portfolio.   LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as lead financial advisor to ATG and Providence on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/gkZbzBZ3

Penske Media Corporation has announced it is acquiring certain Vox Media Brands in a deal that executives said bolsters Penske’s position as the world’s largest digital publisher. Vox Media is contributing a portfolio of digital brands, including SB Nation, The Verge, Popsugar, The Dodo, Punch, and Thrillist. LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as exclusive financial advisor to Vox Media on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/etZnpSmz

Kinepolis has reached an agreement with Harbor Lights Entertainment (formerly National Amusements Inc.) to acquire Showcase Cinemas U.S. This acquisition includes 13 movie theaters across Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island and will allow Kinepolis to further expand their U.S. market position. LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as financial advisor to Harbor Lights Entertainment (formerly National Amusements Inc.) on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/erT67WDx

Leading B2B events business Hyve Group today announced that private equity firm Hellman & Friedman has agreed to acquire the company from Providence Equity Partners L.L.C. and Searchlight Capital Partners, marking the next phase of Hyve’s growth and evolution. H&F’s investment reflects Hyve’s strong growth potential, underpinned by ongoing demand for premium B2B events and ecosystems which are central to Hyve’s business model.    LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as financial advisor to Hyve, Providence, and Searchlight on this transaction.   https://lnkd.in/eHGUB9zF 

In our latest episode of the LionTree Podcast, Alex Michael sits down with Tim Armstrong, Founder & CEO of Flowcode, to discuss where the next wave of digital value will be created. Tim shares why the most powerful opportunities today are happening offline—at airport gates, stadium concourses, and other everyday moments—and how brands can turn real-world attention into measurable engagement. Whether you’re focused on technology, media, or commerce, this conversation offers a sharp perspective on how AI is reshaping the intersection of physical moments and instant online action. Listen now: https://lnkd.in/esT9QGNU

Lupa Systems, James Murdoch's media and technology holding company, today announced it has agreed to acquire New York Magazine, the Vox Media Podcast Network, and Vox from the digital media group Vox Media. The properties will operate as a subsidiary of Lupa Systems called Vox Media and are expected to give Lupa new reach across platforms, fitting neatly into its growing portfolio. LionTree is proud to have served as exclusive financial advisor to Vox Media on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/g9a4Dzjp

Yesterday, LionTree's Alex Michael participated in The Paley Center for Media's Next Big Thing series, spotlighting leaders at the intersection of media, tech, sports, and finance. Alex joined Tarek Mansour, CEO of Kalshi and CNBC’s Sara Eisen for a timely conversation on how real-time forecasting is reshaping decision-making across industries. As prediction markets continue to capture headlines, the discussion underscored how these platforms are reshaping how we interpret the world’s most consequential events across politics, sports, media and more. Thank you to Paley for hosting an insightful dialogue, and to all who joined us for this forward-looking conversation.

Bullish, the institutional-grade digital asset platform, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Equiniti, a leading global transfer agent, in a transaction valued at $4.2 billion. Siris Capital Group acquired Equiniti in 2021 and has played a central role in the company’s strategic development.   LionTree Advisors is proud to have served as financial advisor to Siris on this transaction. https://lnkd.in/ePaUgXu7