Charlotte, NC, June 28, 2021 – Churchill Asset Management (“Churchill”) today announced a direct investment in The Mars Agency (“Mars” or the “Company”) in support of Mountaingate Capital (“Mountaingate”). Mars is a leading independent shopper marketing and connected commerce agency for blue-chip, global brand manufacturers and retailers. The Company features a differentiated go-to-market strategy, enabled by their proprietary shopper technology platform, “boots on the ground” retail intelligence and customer development team and deep consumer packaged goods brand and retailer domain experience.
“Mars represents the largest pure-play shopper marketing agency in the U.S., with significant competitive advantages over media holding companies and smaller shopper agencies,” said Michael Chiulli, Principal on Churchill’s Private Equity & Junior Capital team. “Mars is an appropriate fit for Mountaingate’s digital, data and tech-driven marketing services vertical, which has consisted of several successful investments in this space. We are excited to invest alongside Mountaingate in this market leading company.”
Churchill’s Private Equity & Junior Capital team has now completed two direct investments with Mountaingate Capital, a middle market private equity platform based out of Denver, CO.
About Churchill Asset Management LLC
Churchill, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen (the asset manager of TIAA), provides customized financing solutions to middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the capital structure. With $31 billion of committed capital, Churchill provides first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt, in addition to equity co-investments and private equity fund commitments. Churchill has a long history of disciplined investing across multiple economic cycles and our unique origination strategy, best in class execution and investment are driven by more than 100 professionals in New York, Charlotte and Chicago. More information can be found at www.churchillam.com.
About Mountaingate Capital
Mountaingate Capital is a private equity investment partnership located in Denver, CO. Mountaingate’s sole mission is to partner with entrepreneurial management teams to advance lower middle market companies into industry leaders through a buy-and-build value creation strategy, with a rigorous adherence to customer-centric organic and acquisition growth. The firm starts with platform companies generating between $5 million and $2o million in EBITDA within their focus industry sectors where they have substantial experience and expertise: Digital, data and tech-driven Marketing/Business Services, and Value Add Specialty Manufacturing/Distribution. www.mountaingate.com.
# # #
This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy, sell or hold a security or an investment strategy, and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Financial professionals should independently evaluate the risks associated with products or services and exercise independent judgment with respect to their clients.
Churchill Asset Management is a registered investment advisor and majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. Certain Nuveen products are advised by Nuveen Alternatives Advisers LLC, a registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA, and distributed by Nuveen Securities, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC.
Investments in middle market loans are subject to certain risks. Please consider all risks carefully prior to investing in any particular strategy. These investments are subject to credit risk and potentially limited liquidity, as well as interest rate risk, currency risk, prepayment and extension risk and inflation risk.
[GPS-1701304PR-O0621X]