Spotlight – closing the curtains on another deal

RSM’s corporate finance team have successfully advised Spotlight, on its sale to global casting technology solutions provider Talent Systems LLC. 

The client

Spotlight was founded in 1927 and has a long history of being run as a family business. Positioned as the home of casting in the UK and Europe, the company’s online platform connects performing arts casting directors with actors and casting agencies, for roles in theatre, television and film productions around the world.

RSM's solution

Spotlight has been a client of RSM for almost 80 years, and was advised on the transaction by the firm’s corporate finance team. RSM’s M&A team project managed the transaction to completion, negotiating all aspects of the deal during coronavirus restrictions. RSM’s vendor assist team produced a financial factbook, and supported the management team throughout the due diligence process.

Spotlight will sit within the Talent Systems’ group, which also includes Casting Networks, Cast It Systems, and Casting Frontier. All of the companies will continue to operate independently while leveraging each other’s industry expertise and integrating the best technology that the group has to offer. The current Spotlight senior management team remains in place and Ben Seale, formerly CEO and owner of Spotlight, will be an adviser to Talent Systems.

Advisory team: Kirsty Sandwell, Natalie Ord and David Rowlinson.

Vendor assist team: John Price, Stephen Mason and Michael Wang.

Testimonial

'Kirsty and her formidable team steered us through this process in the most spirited and compassionate way. They navigated the deal through the difficulties surrounding coronavirus, which was integral to the success of the transaction. 24/7 calls were never an issue for the team as the deal was transatlantic, and knowing that they were always at the end of the phone at any time of day was of immense comfort, particularly as we neared to completion. It’s been a privilege to learn from the experts at RSM about how to get it right – I look forward to our next project!'

Ben Seale,

Former CEO and shareholder of Spotlight