Rafael is a writer and reporter based in New York City and his work has been featured in PE Hub, Adweek, Fast Company and Bleacher Report. Coverage focuses include private equity, marketing, sports, business and culture.
Why PE-backed take-private deals are more popular than ever
Blackstone took online pet care marketplace Rover private for $2.3bn, and Vista took software developer EngageSmart private for $4bn.
NFL’s high revenues, valuations and cashflow draw PE interest
An NFL franchise is 'almost like a Picasso. It’s so scarce,' said Haynes Boone's Errol Brown.
BC Partners got creative with PetSmart when faced with anemic exit environment
With many exit routes blocked – most notably the IPO path – private equity firms are turning to other PE firms for help growing big businesses. Back in July, BC Partners brought in Apollo Global Management to take a minority stake in PetSmart, a business BC bought in a take-private deal back in 2015.
How ChatGPT, generative AI are beefing up PE deal sourcing
LFM's Jessica Ginsberg: 'The vault, the volume and the velocity that these tools can bring to deal sourcing is tremendously valuable.'
The real Super Bowl winner? The company behind the Kelce brothers’ podcast
An inside look at how Travis and Jason Kelce became the first pair of brothers to compete on opposing teams in Super Bowl 57 and their hit online show “New Heights.”
The Kelce brothers partnered with Wave Sports + Entertainment for the show and I took a dive into how and why the Kelces picked Wave and how Wave has drawn attention to the show through its social media strategy.
The Story Behind Mariah Carey’s Secret ’90s Alt-Rock Album
When Mariah Carey released her memoir last fall, it came with infinite revelations. An instant New York Times bestseller, The Meaning of Mariah Carey offered colorful details about Carey’s personal life, including her contentious marriage to former Sony Music head Tommy Mottola and her fling with Derek Jeter. But arguably its most surprising morsel was that, amid the recording of her smash fifth album Daydream, Carey released a secret alt-rock album.
Matt Leeds seeks proven brands with potential to grow for new firm
The former L Catterton dealmaker announced in January that Forward Consumer Partners raised its inaugural fund at $425m.
The Boston Celtics Go Small to Help Hometown Businesses With Vistaprint
As the Boston Celtics hope to capture their 18th championship in franchise history in this year’s NBA Finals, small businesses will be at the heart of the team’s story thanks to a multi-year partnership with jersey patch sponsor Vistaprint.
What is venture debt—and how will SVB's collapse affect it?
A look at what venture debt and how it was impacted by Silicon Valley Bank's collapse.
As Twitch Changes Revenue and Exclusivity Rules, New Opportunities Abound
Possibilities are popping up for streamers, marketers and platforms alike.
Xerox: Unleash the Power of Mentorship to Build a More Inclusive Workplace
A look at diversity and inclusion in the workplace through the mentor-mentee relationship of Xerox employees.
Just Hold On, We're Out of Home: Drake Takes OOH to Social Media for New Album
With his latest album release, Certified Lover Boy, Drake took the OOH route again. This time, he’s highlighting album cuts by plastering every featured artist’s name in their home city. Here's a look at how he transformed OOH into a social marketing strategy.
Doja Cat Is the Average Marketer's Worst Nightmare. That's Why Taco Bell Hired Her
From a menu change to a musical, the QSR sees major social bump after befriending the enemy.
Hellah Sidibe Just Ran Across America, And He’s Not Done Yet
Hellah Sidibe is a hard man to pin down. After completing a 3,061-mile, 84-day trip across the country, he’s getting back to his regular routine; on a Thursday, that means a day of running, personal training in soccer, coaching a couple of youth athletes and filming content for his YouTube channel — which has 264,000 subscribers — and social media pages.
Molson Coors' Miller Lite and Coors Light Vie for Super Bowl Limelight
When it comes to Super Bowl marketing, Anheuser-Busch InBev brands have dominated the alcoholic beverage category for 33 years. When its exclusivity agreement with the Super Bowl ended this past summer, competitor Molson Coors almost instantly committed to a Super Bowl 57 ad.