Plum, the network of local television
stations produced in, for and about some of America's most dynamic
communities, announced major investments in the company to fund
expansion into new markets, including Sun Valley and Miami Beach, and the
development of new content offerings.
Private-equity investors The Kraft Group and legendary hedge-fund
manager James Pallotta's The Raptor Fund led the $20 million round of
funding. Ackerley Partners, a privately held media and entertainment
investment group, also participated. The Pilot Group, led by former AOL
president Robert Pittman, invested as well.
Robert Kraft, CEO of The Kraft Group, said, "From our work with the NFL
and other media properties we have a good sense of the value of unique
content and unique audiences. We've been impressed by Plum's ability to
develop both, and we think the company is poised to create a tremendous
amount of value."
Jonathan Kraft and David Kraft will join the Plum board of directors,
as will former music industry executive Kevin Law.
Leaders in lifestyle, media, music and resorts joined the round,
ensuring Plum has both the funding and marketplace expertise required for
rapid growth and sustained relevancy to consumers in Plum's high-end
lifestyle and resort markets. These investors include, among others:
- Chris Blackwell -- Founder of Island Records (Bob Marley, U2); Founder
of Palm Pictures and owner of several luxury Jamaican resorts
- Jimmy Buffett - World-renowned musician, author, film producer and
entrepreneur
- Nick Buoniconti -- Football Hall of Fame legend
- Jason Flom -- Chairman and CEO of Virgin Records U.S.; Founder of Lava
Records
- Tom Freston -- Former President and CEO of Viacom; Founding member of
MTV
- Andy and Kate Spade -- Founders of luxury and lifestyle fashion brands
Kate Spade and Jack Spade
- Barry Sternlicht -- Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group; Founder
of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Plum Investment / Add One
Tom Scott, founder and CEO of Plum, said, "It's an exciting time at
Plum. We're psyched that such an inspiring group of investors share our
vision for Plum and where it's going. It's amazing to have the opportunity
to be working with and learning from some of the best in media,
entertainment, sports, fashion, travel and finance. We've got a great team
of people at Plum who really care - that's irreplaceable." Previously, Tom
was the co-CEO and co- founder of Nantucket Nectars.
Plum will expand its local reach and content by using the new funding
to acquire additional stations in Sun Valley, Idaho and has secured cable
distribution for a new Plum channel in Miami Beach, Florida. Plum has
entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the television assets of
E-Da-Hoe, Inc., including the KSVX and KSVT television stations serving Sun
Valley. The deal is contingent on FCC approval that is expected in early
2007. These two new markets will join Plum's current markets of Nantucket,
Martha's Vineyard, the Hamptons, Vail, Aspen, and Telluride. More than 10
million of the nation's most influential people visit these markets each
year.
In addition to television programming in these markets, Plum has
entered into distribution agreements with AOL video and Tivo broadband.
Plum also is expanding online content at Plumtv.com, including local events
calendars, weather, video, photos, community news and real estate listings
unique to each market. Content uploading and sharing capabilities, and
interests in proprietary content development and production are also
underway.
Chris Glowacki, president of Plum, said, "Plum is developing two
complementary businesses. We have a very effective distribution business
that connects deeply with hard-to-reach influencers. And we have a
lifestyle content business that ensures both viewers and advertisers find
us compelling and relevant. This new investment and the experts advising us
help ensure we can grow both of these very aggressively."