Transaction Summary
Intrepid's Role:
Intrepid served as exclusive financial advisor to Cloudco and ran a disciplined process to find a partner aligned with the company’s vision for near-term expansion and long-term stewardship of its properties and to expand the business materially, ultimately resulting in an exceptional outcome for the Weiss family and the Cloudco management team as a result of our team’s creativity and thoughtfulness throughout the deal.
Outcome:
Cloudco was acquired by IVEST Consumer Partners, a growth-oriented investor perfectly aligned with Cloudco’s 360-degree IP strategy to develop iconic properties that resonate as both consumer products and for content audiences. IVEST’s experience working with IP licensing companies was unmatched among other investors in Intrepid’s process.
Why It Matters:
Amidst a challenging M&A market for consumer products and entertainment companies, iconic IP houses remain highly sought-after targets for financial and strategic buyers. The transaction underscores Intrepid’s ability to successfully market and position Cloudco as a trophy children’s IP asset with tremendous scarcity value in an industry that is deeply consolidated.
Further, strong momentum with iconic nostalgic IP like Barbie, Sonic, and others provides ample tailwinds behind the upcoming Care Bears feature film, and the rise of collectibles among adults has created a new category of consumer that is a rapidly growing part of the licensing market driving both content and consumer products.
Overview
Originally launched by the Weiss family in 1981 as a division of American Greetings called Those Characters from Cleveland, Cloudco has a deep history in creating and managing over 30 renowned children’s brands like The Care Bears, Holly Hobbie, Madballs, and Pretty Freekin Scary. After American Greetings was sold to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 2018, TCFC was spun out as a standalone business, renamed Cloudco Entertainment, and refocused exclusively on its commitment to enriching its 40-year heritage with iconic IP.
With renewed demand for nostalgia-driven franchises and evergreen brands, the company sought a strategic partner to help bring its IP portfolio to new audiences across platforms, product categories, and geographies. Cloudco was ready to accelerate growth by refreshing classic IP and investing in its relationships with existing and new licensees, streaming partners, and co-production partners. Iconic IP is increasingly valued for its staying power in a crowded media landscape, a trend that positioned Cloudco’s assets as highly sought after.
Intrepid understood not just the value of our IP, but the soul of our company. Their team brought unmatched strategic insight, creativity, and dedication to the process, ultimately helping us find the perfect partner to carry our legacy forward. We couldn’t have asked for better guidance or a better outcome.
Sean GormanPresident, Cloudco EntertainmentTransaction Summary
Intrepid's Role:
Intrepid served as exclusive financial advisor to Cloudco and ran a disciplined process to find a partner aligned with the company’s vision for near-term expansion and long-term stewardship of its properties and to expand the business materially, ultimately resulting in an exceptional outcome for the Weiss family and the Cloudco management team as a result of our team’s creativity and thoughtfulness throughout the deal.
Outcome:
Cloudco was acquired by IVEST Consumer Partners, a growth-oriented investor perfectly aligned with Cloudco’s 360-degree IP strategy to develop iconic properties that resonate as both consumer products and for content audiences. IVEST’s experience working with IP licensing companies was unmatched among other investors in Intrepid’s process.
Why It Matters:
Amidst a challenging M&A market for consumer products and entertainment companies, iconic IP houses remain highly sought-after targets for financial and strategic buyers. The transaction underscores Intrepid’s ability to successfully market and position Cloudco as a trophy children’s IP asset with tremendous scarcity value in an industry that is deeply consolidated.
Further, strong momentum with iconic nostalgic IP like Barbie, Sonic, and others provides ample tailwinds behind the upcoming Care Bears feature film, and the rise of collectibles among adults has created a new category of consumer that is a rapidly growing part of the licensing market driving both content and consumer products.
Intrepid understood not just the value of our IP, but the soul of our company. Their team brought unmatched strategic insight, creativity, and dedication to the process, ultimately helping us find the perfect partner to carry our legacy forward. We couldn’t have asked for better guidance or a better outcome.
Sean GormanPresident, Cloudco Entertainment- Mike Rosenberg Senior Managing Director
- Brian Levin Managing Director Head of Food, Beverage & Agriculture
- Kyle Kearney Director
- James Heskett Vice President
- Ellie Taraska Associate