WHAT COMPANY PUT TOGETHER THE DISNEY AND BABY EINSTEIN MERGER

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Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 11 Jul 2004 14:04 PDT

jack127 --

The acquisition of Baby Einstein by Disney was a relatively small
transaction for Disney.  I have found no indication that investment
bankers were involved in putting the deal together, which is not
surprising because Baby Einstein was a private company. It seems
likely that matter was handled by Disney "in house,"  along with the
participation of lawyers for both parties, of course.

I can give you some information about Baby Einstein Co. and its
founders, along with a newspaper source's unconfirmed estimate of the
price paid by Disney and the name of the Disney corporate development
executive who soon took on responsibility for running the new
subsidiary.  (All this information is available in newpapers articles
available to me in a subscription database, so I can summarize,
excerpt and cite them but not post their text here.)

Would this information be a sufficient answer for you, or is there
some other specific piece of information you are looking for?

markj-ga

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Clarification of Question by jack127-ga on 12 Jul 2004 12:14 PDT

Looking for individual within Disney or outside acquisition company
who organized deal.  Or just give me evrything you have with the
completed deal.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

It seems that information on an outside company that forged the merger
between Disney and Baby Einstein cannot be found as said by markj-ga
since again such a merger is only a small one for Disney. Since you
said that you are looking for an individual who organized or played a
part in the deal then here is some info.

The deal was estimated to be worth $25 million. Here are the
personalities involved:

a. Bill Clark - Baby Einstein's CFO

?Bill Clark, Baby Einstein's chief financial officer, said the
acquisition raises the company's profile to new heights. Baby
Einstein's previous distributor was Artisan Entertainment. While that
partnership proved to be fruitful (in 2000, Baby Einstein reported
sales of $10 million; 2001 sales ranged between $25 million and $30
million), Clark says the Disney deal promises to raise the bar
considerably higher.?

?The all-cash, confidential transaction was worth a reported $25
million, according to The Wall Street Journal.?

?In a 'tot'-anic size '01 deal, Disney buys Baby Einstein? by Bobo
Mook (Denver Business Journal)
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2002/03/04/focus9.html


b. Robert A. Iger ? Disney President & COO

?The Walt Disney Company has acquired The Baby Einstein Company, a
creator of media products, toys and books for babies and toddlers, it
was announced by Disney President and Chief Operating Officer Robert
A. Iger.?

?Disney Acquires The Baby Einstein Company? (The Write News)
http://www.writenews.com/2001/110701_disney_babyeinstein.htm 

?The Walt Disney Company Acquires The Baby Einstein Company?
http://www.babyeinstein.com/About/PressReleases/pr110601.asp 


c. R. Russell Hampton, Jr. ? This is the person (according to the Baby
Einstein website) as  the man from Disney who was an instrumental
character in the deal. He eventually became the Senior VP and GM of
Baby Einstein.

?R. Russell Hampton, Jr. has been named senior vice president and
general manager of The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, it was announced
today by Robert A. Iger, president and COO of The Walt Disney Company.
Hampton will be responsible for managing the recently acquired company
and growing the Baby Einstein brand through the introduction of new
products and by leveraging Disney's global distribution strengths. He
also will oversee development and launch of new Einstein products
designed for pre-schoolers, including a daily television show.?

"?Russell was instrumental in our acquisition of Baby Einstein and has
a thorough understanding of the business and its products,? said
Iger.?

Previous positions held by R. Russell Hampton, Jr.:

Manager of Strategic Planning ? Disney
Vice President of Strategic Planning and Corporate Development ? Disney
Vice President - J.P. Morgan & Co. New York
Strategy Consultant - Mercer Management Consulting

?Hampton Named Senior Vice President & General Manager Of Baby Einstein Company?
http://www.babyeinstein.com/About/PressReleases/pr010702.asp 


Search terms used:
disney "baby einstein" merger acquisition deal

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Easterangel-ga                 
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