Alba Advisory advises CFNEWS on the acquisition of Satellifacts
Fifteen years after its creation, CFNEWS is accelerating its development by acquiring a largely majority stake in Satellifacts, the leading information provider for audiovisual and cinema professionals. Founded nearly 30 years ago by Joël Wirsztel, who has always been its sole shareholder via FRÉQUENCES (Satellifacts’ parent company), the publication — 100% digital and subscription-based — covers all the news in this sector.
CFNEWS (owned by CFNEWS Media Group) is the benchmark digital media for Corporate Finance players in France. Founded, owned and led by Agathe Zilber — a journalist covering the private equity and M&A sector for nearly 25 years — this unique model combining news and data has established itself as the must-read media of this fast-growing market. A pioneer of this 100% digital, subscription-based B2B model, CFNEWS replicated it from scratch by launching CFNEWS IMMO in 2017 (dedicated to B2B real estate players) and, three years ago, CFNEWS INFRA (dedicated to infrastructure players). CFNEWS now aims to continue its growth through acquisitions in new verticals in promising sectors.
CFNEWS will bring Satellifacts its innovative technological know-how in data and marketing. In addition to editorial and commercial synergies between the two entities, plans notably include organizing events bringing together the audiovisual and cinema ecosystem, as well as deploying new offerings in France and internationally. At the close of the transaction, which is expected by the end of May, CFNEWS and Satellifacts will post combined annual revenue of more than €8 million.
Joël Wirsztel, its founder, remains at the head of Satellifacts, and the editorial team, led by its editor-in-chief Yvane Dréant, remains unchanged, ensuring the continuity of the model as well as the rigor and reliability of the information that made the publication successful, which retains its name and editorial independence.
Satellifacts shares many similarities with CFNEWS: a leading, independent media in its field, with a seasoned editorial team recognized throughout the audiovisual and cinema ecosystem, led by its founder, Joël Wirsztel. Its subscription-based digital B2B model mirrors that of CFNEWS. It is with great joy that we welcome Satellifacts, to continue developing this media as has been brilliantly achieved in recent years.
Agathe Zilber, Chairwoman of CFNEWS Media Group
This merger ensures a smooth transition that secures the publication, its teams and its DNA. Agathe Zilber, the founder of CFNEWS, has built an independent media recognized by corporate finance players. Moreover, its growth has always been accompanied by sound management, much like that of Satellifacts. This success also convinced me because her journey echoes my own. With the CFNEWS teams, Satellifacts will be able to continue growing and explore new development opportunities. I am very happy to see this merger between two independent companies that share the same demand for reliable, high-value reference information for decision-makers.
Joël Wirsztel, founder of Satellifacts