Searchlight Capital Partners Makes Significant Investment in 160over90
National branding and creative services agency 160over90 announced today that private equity firm Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P., has made a significant investment for a majority stake in the company. The deal comes on the heels of a highly successful 2015 for 160over90, as the shop added work for Nike, UCLA, Under Armour, the Philadelphia Eagles, and Texas A&M University.
Founded by Shannon Price Slusher and Darryl Cilli, 160over90 is comprised of 150 employees across three locations: Philadelphia, PA, Newport Beach, CA, and Gainesville, FL. 160over90 is the sole agency in Searchlight’s portfolio alongside other companies such as Hunter, the British heritage brand renowned for its iconic Wellington boot; seminal Canadian retailer Roots; Ocean Outdoor, the UK leader in large-format, digital, super-premium advertising locations; and TouchTunes, the largest in-venue interactive music and entertainment platform. The agency’s brand, locations, and management team will remain intact, as the partnership is about driving the expansion of service lines and geographic reach.
SHANNON PRICE SLUSHER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, FOUNDING PARTNER, 160OVER90 SAID:
Searchlight’s international presence, investment acumen, and financial support will accelerate 160over90’s expansion and global reach, enhance integrated service offerings, and allow us to continue to recruit the best and brightest branding talent. We are excited to have them as our partner.”
Equal parts think tank and branding firm, 160over90 has been heralded for crafting breakthrough brand narratives on behalf of its clients. The agency’s portfolio can be broken down in three highly specialized segments. In the consumer space, 160over90 counts Nike, Ferrari North America, and Under Armour among its clientele. In the world of professional sports, the agency represents the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Arizona Coyotes. In the higher education arena, the firm is agency of record for UCLA, Texas A&M University, and the University of Florida.
ERIC ZINTERHOFER, FOUNDING PARTNER AT SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL, SAID:
160over90 has built an impressive, diversified portfolio of nationally recognized brand leaders and distinguished itself as one of the most innovative branding agencies in North America. We are thrilled to partner with the 160over90 team, and see great potential for building a network around them.”
Slusher and Cilli, both recognized by AdWeek for their progressive work with the millennial audience, will continue their leadership of 160over90 together with a newly appointed roster of 11 agency principals.
DARRYL CILLI, CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, FOUNDING PARTNER, 160OVER90, SAID:
“The Searchlight partnership really is the best of both worlds. We will be able to stay true to our process, our vision, and our culture. It keeps an amazing management team in place that is committed to great work and has our clients’ best interest at heart. Yet, we will have access to all the resources we need to take this firm – and our clients – to the next level.”
ABOUT 160OVER90
160over90 is a branding and creative services agency with offices in Philadelphia, PA, Newport Beach, CA, and Gainesville, FL. 160over90.com.
ABOUT SEARCHLIGHT CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
Searchlight is a global private investment firm with offices in New York, London and Toronto. Searchlight seeks to invest in businesses where its long term capital and strategic support accelerate value creation for all stakeholders.