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December 2017 Cegedim, an innovative technology and services company listed in Paris (EURONEXT : CGM), has signed an acquisition agreement with Societe Generale covering its Cegelease business, a subsidiary operating in the financial leasing sector. Founded in 2001 to support Cegedim's sales to its customers with leasing solutions, the company has gradually expanded its activities by financing the sales of other suppliers. With nearly 500 suppliers and more than 25,000 clients Cegelease has established itself as one of the independent leaders in financial leasing for healthcare professionals. With 31 million customers in 66 countries, and over € 25 billion in net banking income, Société Générale is one of the largest European financial services groups. Societe Generale , through its subsidiary Franfinance, is one of the leaders in the equipment financing for companies and sees the healthcare market as a key area for growth. This acquisition, which is subject to the approval of competition authorities, will enable Franfinance to strengthen its position in this market and create a major player in the field of financing for healthcare professionals. Ohana & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to the seller, the Cegedim group.

Onward Holdings, the listed Japanese luxury group, has acquired a controlling stake in Charlotte Olympia, the iconic British footwear and accessories label. This acquisition is part of an expansion plan that aims to accelerate Charlotte Olympia’s growth within Europe and Asia. Ohana & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Onward in this transaction. Founded in 2008, by Charlotte Dellal, Charlotte Olympia is known for creativity, craftsmanship and femininity. The brand has established itself as a global luxury player with designs influenced by Hollywood cinema glamour and movie stars from the 1940s and 50s. Charlotte Dellal, founder and creative director, and Bonnie Takhar, CEO, will continue to run the company.

Cegedim [Euronext: CGM], the publicly traded technology and services group, has acquired Futuramedia Group, the French leader in digital out of home (DOOH) advertising. Founded in 2004, as a one of the first retail based (i.e. in store) digital advertising network, Futuramedia quickly established itself as the undisputed French leader in digital advertising in pharmacies. With more than 5,500 digital screens inside pharmacies and in their shop windows, Futuramedia offers to its advertisers – pharma and beauty groups such as L’Oreal, Sanofi and Reckitt – a flexible and attractive digital media reaching customers both inside and outside the point of sale. Already active in the field of pharmacy communication through its RNP subsidiary, Cegedim will bolster its digital activities by adding the leader in digital communication in pharmacy networks. Thanks to this acquisition, Cegedim will be strengthening its offering to pharmaceutical and cosmetics clients by offering the largest network of digital screens in pharmacies. In this competitive process Ohana & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Futuramedia and its shareholders.

With six stores and a burgeoning e-commerce business that accounts for half of total sales, Bandier has influenced the ath-leisure category since opening its first store in the Hamptons in the summer of 2014. From the start, husband-and-wife founders Jennifer Bandier and Neil Boyarsky offered stylish activewear from an assortment of global brands. To build a loyal customer following, the retailer hosts talks, special events and on-site fitness classes. Accessories, footwear and limited-run products are also part of the company’s assortment.

Headed by cultural entrepreneur and K11 founder Adrian Cheng, C Ventures is a new venture capital fund that focuses on connecting emerging fashion, media and creative businesses for the next generation. With an expanding portfolio, C Ventures strives to map out a cultural ecosystem to meet the fast-changing needs of global millennials and Gen Z. C Ventures also benefits immensely from Cheng’s expansive scope of businesses in China and Asia, which include world’s largest jewellery chain Chow Tai Fook, cultural enterprise New World Group, world’s first museum-retail concept K11, international hospitality group Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, luxury fashion distributor Luxba and leading Chinese media group Modern Media. C Ventures was founded in 2017 and is currently managed by Cheng and his business partner Clive Ng.

Ohana & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor to C Ventures.

Mally Beauty, the iconic color cosmetics brand, has signed an agreement with Guthy-Renker for a minority investment. Founded in 2005 by celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal, Mally Beauty quickly established as a top contender in the beauty industry. After spending 15 years on the road with some of the biggest celebrities in the world, Mally Roncal created Mally Beauty, a collection that infuses her knowledge, expertise, and techniques into every formula. The collection first debuted on QVC in March 2005, where it sold out within 40 minutes breaking records for the retailer. Mally Beauty is currently available on QVC and at Ulta Beauty and Kohl’s Department Stores. Mally Beauty is majority-owned by TPR Holdings. Guthy-Renker, one of the world’s largest and most respected direct marketing companies, will start developing a Mally Beauty marketing campaign to expand channels in which Mally Beauty products can be purchased direct to consumer, including television and e-commerce.

LB Equity, a personal care-focused private equity firm based in New York, has acquired the assets of BLAMtastic, a leading, innovative skincare brand, and has made a significant capital investment to fund marketing, working capital and product development. Ohana & Co. served as exclusive advisor to BLAMtastic on the transaction. Founded in 2007 by entrepreneur Renée Sandler and her two daughters, BLAMtastic researches, develops and markets skincare products sold through food, drug and mass retailers. It is best known for its diaper rash sprays for babies (marketed as Booty Spray) and adults. These sprays are the only non-aerosol, all natural preventative and healing solutions in the market. They have the potential to revolutionize how consumers treat and prevent rashes in both the infant and adult markets. “We are very excited to work with LB Equity as we continue to expand distribution of our baby diaper rash spray and launch our new product for the adult market this fall”, said CEO Renee Sandler. “Funds provided by LB Equity will also allow us to build out our management team and continue our product development work.” “The quality of the products and management team was what first attracted us to BLAMtastic,” said Jay Lucas, head of LB Equity. “The size and growth characteristics of the baby diaper rash category and the adult incontinence market are extremely attractive and BLAMtastic is the only all natural, non-aerosol player in the space.”  

Bright Fame Fashion Limited, the Hong Kong based family investment vehicle led by Vivian Chou, has acquired the Thakoon brand. Vivian is the daughter of billionaire textile mogul Silas Chou, who was a former investor in Tommy Hilfiger and Michael Kors. Thakoon is the eponymous upscale clothing line of the designer Thakoon Panichgul who has designed ready-to-wear for first lady Michelle Obama among other public figures and celebrities. He also recently designed collections for GAP and Target. As part of the deal, Panichgul will continue in his role as chief creative officer and Maria Borromeo will remain chief executive officer of Thakoon USA. The Chou family takes a strategic approach to their fashion investments, which have been few and far between. Silas Chou is best known for transforming struggling entities like Tommy Hilfiger in 1989 and Michael Kors in 2003 into billion-dollar powerhouses. Beginning in early 2016, the company plans to adopt the buy-now wear-now operating model, whereby new styles will be introduced on a continuous basis rather than adhering to the traditional fashion calendar. While this real time fashion model has been successfully adopted in the mass and contemporary spaces, it has not yet been tried for designer level apparel. Ohana & Co. acted as the exclusive advisor to Thakoon LLC and its shareholders.

KOSÉ Corporation, Japan’s third largest cosmetics group, with revenues of approximately $2 billion, has agreed to acquire a 93.5% interest in New York-based color cosmetics and skin care brand, Tarte, from California-based Encore Consumer Capital and Tarte founder, Maureen Kelly. The price paid for the 93.5% interest is about $135 million. Ohana & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to KOSÉ Corporation.

AmorePacific, the leading Korean cosmetics group, has acquired the luxury French perfume brand Annick Goutal from Starwood Capital (USA). Ohana & Co. acted as the exclusive financial advisor to AmorePacific.