Sector/Region: TMT/EMEA

Griffin Capital was retained as exclusive advisor to capitalize the Ukrainian licensee of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA: VIA.B).  MTV is among the world’s leading creators of programming and content for young audiences across all media platforms.  With an untapped market of 46 million, Ukraine was “The Last Brick in the Wall” of Viacom’s regional footprint in 2007.

We became a founding shareholder.  It was fun while it lasted.  For details, click or google: “I Want My MTV Ukraine”.

Sector/Region: TMT/EMEA

As independent digital networks consolidated across Europe, Viatel Holding (Bermuda) Limited appointed Griffin Capital as its financial advisor to assess strategic alternatives including a JV or strategic alliance or the potential sale of the company or its assets.

Viatel owned and operated one of the largest and most advanced pan-European fibre optic networks, linking 21 key cities in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland. The predominantly fresh-dig network cost over US$1.4 billion to construct.

Griffin conducted extensive due diligence which included site inspections of Viatel’s European and UK data centers and a comprehensive review of the legal structure of the holding company, its enterprise customers, assets and capitalization. Griffin developed and implemented a marketing process, identified qualified parties and held meetings with data center operators in Europe and in Moscow with Sibintek among others.

Viatel was ultimately acquired in 2015 by Zayo Group LLC from Digiweb Telecom for €98.8 million ($107.9 million).

Sector/Region: TMT/Eurasia

Griffin Capital was retained as exclusive advisor a NYSE-listed broadband network operator to sell its 32.1% interest in Dal Telecom International, the largest mobile operator in Khabarovski-krai, Far Eastern Russia.

During the sale process, a Griffin partner and associate  served as voting directors of Dal Telecom for two years, participating in board meetings in Khabarovsk while preparing pathfinders and an Information Memorandum to support the sale process.  In 2004, Vimpelcom of Russia (NYSE: VIP) acquired 94% of Dal Telecom International itself, including the shares previously held by WinStar.

Sector/Region: TMT/Eurasia

Griffin Capital was retained by Cable & Wireless Plc to sell its stakes in three interrelated telecoms businesses operating in Sakhalin, Russia.

The Griffin team evaluated the financial and operating results of the three operating units (mobile, fixed and STM) and prepared a pathfinder and Information Memorandum for qualified buyers.  Griffin distributed the IM and managed a private auction to maximize value.

The holdings were acquired by a private Russian communications company, itself later acquired by Vimpelcom of Russia(NYSE: VIP).

Sector/Region: TMT/Americas (Mexico)

Griffin Capital advised and assisted Southwestern Bell (SBC) International (now AT&T) in facilitating the merger/acquisition of TELMEX (Telefonos de Mexico) by a group including SBC, France Telecom, and Grupo Carso.

During the 48-month period preceding the merger/acquisition, Griffin was tasked to deliver technical, commercial and regulatory due diligence services including: analyses of existing hardware and software platforms and network compatibilities, confirmation of Average Revenue Per Unit (ARPU), and security algorithms of all pertinent data bases, and most importantly, the validation of all applicable operating licenses and the corresponding “rights of assignment and transfer”.

Two years after the acquisition was completed, Griffin provided the same range of services to Grupo Carso’s TELCEL, the mobile service provider launched by Grupo Carso’s TELMEX, now a division of América Móvil.