3rd annual M&A International Inc. Media Awards 2008
13 journalists from 7 countries awarded First placed winners: Michael Flaherty and Jonathan Keehner (Hong Kong, New York, Reuters)Anna Ekelund and Anders Billing (Sweden, Affärsvärlden)
Sarah Young (UK, Acquisitions Monthly)
Neil Hume (UK, Financial Times) Milan, 21 November 2008. M&A International Inc., the world’s leading alliance of mid-market M&A advisory and investment banking firms with 41 members operating in 39 countries, is pleased to announce the winners of the third M&A International Media Awards. In total, 13 journalists from 7 countries were awarded prizes during the gala dinner of the annual M&A Mid-Market Forum, held on 21 November in Milan, Italy. The winning articles were selected by an independent jury from over 200 articles submitted by 126 journalists from 24 countries. The M&A International Media Awards recognize the achievements of journalists who have contributed in an outstanding way to the understanding and professional analysis of the global mergers and acquisitions market. The prize money of US$12,000 is divided across three categories each with a first, second and third place, recognizing incisive and independent comment that upholds the journalistic principles of accuracy and objectivity. These unprecedented awards are a global reference for excellence in M&A journalism. A special prize was also awarded to the best scoop article across all three media categories. The winners are: General Print Press and News Agencies - English language 1st LBO exposure may hit Bear Stearns, Lehman
Reuters, 03.08.2007
Michael Flaherty, Hong Kong and Jonathan Keehner, New York 2nd Google slams Microsoft - Yahoo bid
The Globe and Mail, 04.02.2008
Matt Hartley, Canada 3rd Delta Two in Pounds 12bn move on Sainsbury
Financial Times, 18.07.2007
Lina Saigol, UK General Print Press and News Agencies - other languages 1st En osannolik affär (An Unbelievable Deal)
Affärsvärlden, 03.10.2007
Anna Ekelund and Anders Billing, Sweden 2nd La Fiesta de la liquidez pasa factura al corazón financiero
(The liquidity party makes the claim on the heart of the financial industry)
El Economista, 04.12.2007
Pedro Calvo, Spain 3rd Rolle Vorwärts (Rolling Forward)
Handelsblatt, 30.06.2008
Hans G. Nagl, Germany Trade Press and Electronic Media - all languages 1st Pharmaceuticals - Losing their grip
Acquisitions Monthly, 01.06.2008
Sarah Young, UK 2nd Not so fair trade
FinanceAsia, 01.04.2008
Sameera Anand, Hong Kong 3rd Yahoo ripe for a shake-up
breakingviews.com, 17.01.2008
Rob Cox and Jeff Segal, USA Special Award for the Best Scoop Article - all languages Bud and Becks
Financial Times - Alphaville, 23.05.2008
Neil Hume, UK Note to editors:
A book of this year’s winning articles is available for download below. About M&A International Inc.
M&A International Inc., established in 1985, offers the unparalleled resources of 41 M&A advisory and investment banking firms operating in 39 countries. The members are closely linked in a global alliance to advise clients on acquisitions, divestitures, funding and joint ventures. Focused on the middle market, M&A International Inc. members closed 380 deals in 2007 worth more than $21 billion. For further information, please visit www.mergers.net About the M&A International Media Awards
The M&A International Media Awards are the first and only global media awards for journalists reporting on mergers and acquisitions. The winners are selected by an independent international jury of M&A professionals, academics and senior journalists: Dr. Hans Bethge, M&A International Inc. (Germany); Prof. Umberto Bocchino, Studio Bocchino (Italy); John Jay, New Star (UK); N.K. Misra, Tata Steel (India); Matthew Porzio, IntraLinks Inc. (USA); Raimon Segura de Lassaletta, Cuatrecasas (Spain); David Shirreff, The Economist (UK/Germany); Howard E. Steinberg, McDermott Will & Emery (USA); Dr. Hong Zhang, Deutsche Bank Institute (China). Comments on winning articles
LBO exposure may hit Bear Stearns, Lehman
Reuters, 03.08.2007 by Michael Flaherty, Hong Kong and Jonathan Keehner, New York Michael Flaherty's and Jonathan Keehner’s article pointed out the danger Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers faced with their exposure to leveraged loans they made to the private equity industry. They indicated that while subprime exposure was a concern at both banks, their loan portfolios only worsened their plight. The article was written at the very beginning of August last year and proved to be devastatingly correct. En osannolik affär (An Unbelievable Deal)
Affärsvärlden, 03.10.2007 by Anna Ekelund and Anders Billing, Sweden This article explored the bidding war for the Nordic exchange group OMX. Anna and Anders mapped out the struggle behind the scenes and the characters involved through a detailed chronology that makes you feel like you are living the experience. This was a fascinating and well researched piece. Comment from Affarsvarlden:
“We are incredibly happy to receive this award, considering the high quality of the competition and since the M&A world and large merger processes are at the heart of Affärsvärldens coverage. The OMX story was especially interesting and challenging since it brought a small Nordic exchange group to center stage of the financial world. It contained everything from world politics to a personal vendetta between two old friends.” Pharmaceuticals - Losing their grip
Acquisitions Monthly, 01.06.2008 by Sarah Young, UK This article was written in June and explored how the traditional model for pharmaceutical companies is broken and how new drug development increasingly comes from biotechs whilst pharmaceuticals morph into acquisitive sales and marketing giants. Bud and Becks
Financial Times - Alphaville, 23.05.2008 by Neil Hume, UK Neil Hume's winning article looked at InBev's rumored takeover approach for Anheuser-Busch. In landing the full details of InBev's plans, Neil managed to break the news on the largest ever all-cash takeover involving a truly iconic American company. For further information, please contact: M&A International Inc.
Melanie Berthelot-Verhaeghe, +34 93 209 22 00, melanie.berthelot@mergers.net