26.06.2020

Luther Assists in Creation of Mediawan Alliance

Dusseldorf – Luther advised French media group Mediawan on a complex transaction: The three founders of Mediawan are creating Mediawan Alliance as controlling shareholders while the finance investor KKR will take the position of a minority shareholder. Mediawan Alliance will initiate a take-over bid on the securities of Mediawan (other than those already held by the founders) and a minority stake in German Leonine Group will be contributed to Mediawan Alliance. Luther advised on such contemplated acquisition of a minority share in Leonine group as well as on regulatory filings.

Leonine was formed by KKR in early 2019 and is led by well-known media manager Fred Kogel. Since its formation Leonine has acquired a number of German TV content production companies such as Tele-München Group, Universum Film, production company W&B as well as Günther Jauch’s business I&U TV, thereby creating in a very short time period a leading player in audiovisual content in Germany. With a similar approach Mediawan has formed a network of audiovisual content companies in France and other European countries.

Mediawan and Leonine are two leading independent production and distribution groups in France and Germany. Both have a recognized expertise in content production across all types and formats. They benefit from long-standing relationships with local stakeholders across the value chain (broadcasters, cinemas, streaming platforms, etc.).

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The mandating by Mediawan underpins Luther’s recognition as a leading independent German law firm with a strong M&A practice. In a well-established network with foreign independent law firms Luther’s M&A team regularly advises on complex cross-border transactions. On this transaction Luther closely cooperated with French law firm Racine (advising Mediawan on the transaction in France) and the German offices of tax firm WTS.

For Mediawan:

Luther Corporate/M&A: Dr Michael Bormann (Lead Partner, Dusseldorf), Dr Michael Krömker, MBA (Mannheim/Tongji) (Lead Partner, Dusseldorf), Matthias Fickert (Counsel, Stuttgart), Michael Ströbel, LL.M. (University of Auckland) (Senior Associate, Stuttgart), Lena-Annika Schultz (Senior Associate, Hamburg), Rares Holonec (Associate, Stuttgart), Fabienne-Denise Andrä, LL.M. (University of Miami) (Associate, Stuttgart)

Luther Merger Control /Regulatory: Anne Caroline Wegner, LL.M. (European University Institute) (Lead Partner, Dusseldorf), Franz-Rudolf Groß, LL.M. (University of London) (Counsel, Dusseldorf), Samira Altdorf (Associate, Dusseldorf), David Wölting (Associate, Dusseldorf)

Luther Finance/Banking: Christoph Schauenburg, LL.M. (London) (Partner, Frankfurt), Stefan Jokel (Senior Associate, Frankfurt)

Luther IP/Commercial: Dr Maximilian Dorndorf (Partner, Essen), Sebastian Laoutoumai, LL.M (Senior Associate, Düsseldorf)

Luther Employment: Hans-Christian Ackermann (Partner, Dusseldorf)