CG Petsky Prunier Research
Advisory Approach
Founded in 1999, Petsky Prunier established itself as the premier investment banking advisor to the Technology, Media, Marketing, and Information Services (TMMIS) industries. In February 2019, the firm merged with Canaccord Genuity to create a dominant, full-service middle market investment bank serving growth companies in these sectors. The firm operates with a clear thesis: deep industry expertise combined with exhaustive buyer outreach delivers superior outcomes for sellers in the TMMIS sectors.
CG Petsky Prunier's track record is recognized by the financial sponsor community—more than half of the firm's engagements involve representing investor-backed companies. At the same time, their superior industry coverage positions them as the go-to advisor for founder and management-owned TMMIS businesses. The firm's bankers average 18+ years of M&A experience and bring operational backgrounds that help them understand the nuances of technology-enabled businesses.
Sector Focus
CG Petsky Prunier concentrates exclusively on the Technology, Media, Marketing, and Information Services (TMMIS) sectors, with deep expertise across multiple verticals. The firm has completed transactions across software-as-a-service, marketing technology, digital advertising, e-commerce, fintech, digital media, information services, and technology-enabled business services.
Within software, the firm has particular strength in marketing technology platforms, customer engagement software, and vertical SaaS applications. In marketing services, they've advised on numerous transactions involving digital agencies, marketing technology platforms, and data analytics providers. Their digital media practice spans digital content platforms, digital advertising technology, and programmatic advertising businesses.
The firm's information services focus includes data providers, email intelligence platforms, and B2B information services. Their fintech practice covers digital assets, payments technology, and financial technology platforms.
Deal Track Record
CG Petsky Prunier has established an exceptional track record with 530+ transactions according to their public database. The firm has been ranked #1 by PitchBook for US Middle-Market TMT Transactions with 48 transactions in 2024, significantly ahead of second-place Houlihan Lokey (22 transactions). They were also ranked #1 for Media & Information Services Advisory with 36 transactions in 2024.
Over the 2022-2024 period, the firm completed 158 transactions in TMT, again ranking #1 ahead of Houlihan Lokey (69) and Raymond James (52). In Media & Information Services, they completed 122 transactions from 2022-2024, leading the rankings.
Notable recent transactions include:
- AtData's sale to Experian (February 2026)
- MCR Investors' $2.7 billion equity investment in conjunction with the Soho House take-private (January 2026)
- Centerfield Media's sale to Platinum Equity (January 2020)
- Amper Music's sale to Shutterstock (November 2020)
- Clearlink's sale to Sykes for approximately $207 million (April 2016)
- Allconnect's sale to Red Ventures (September 2017)
Process & Fee Structure
CG Petsky Prunier runs institutional-quality sell-side processes tailored to the unique characteristics of TMMIS businesses. Their approach emphasizes comprehensive buyer identification across strategic acquirers, private equity firms, and family offices. The firm leverages its deep industry relationships to identify buyers who understand the strategic value of technology-enabled business models.
Typical engagements span 6-9 months from engagement to close, with the firm managing all aspects of the sale process including preparation of marketing materials, buyer outreach, management presentations, due diligence coordination, and negotiation support. The firm's bankers provide hands-on guidance throughout the process, drawing on their operational experience to help management teams articulate their growth stories.
The firm typically requires exclusivity and charges a monthly retainer credited against a success fee. Fee structures follow market norms for middle-market transactions, with success fees generally structured as a percentage of transaction value.
Buyer Network
CG Petsky Prunier maintains extensive relationships across the buyer spectrum in their focus sectors. Their private equity network spans hundreds of firms ranging from mid-market specialists to large-cap buyout funds. Recent transactions show relationships with firms like Blackstone, Kohlberg, NewSpring, Coral Tree Partners, Insignia Capital Group, AEA Investors, and Shamrock Capital.
On the strategic buyer side, the firm has relationships with major technology companies, media conglomerates, advertising agency holding companies, and information services providers. Recent deals include sales to Experian, Shutterstock, Sykes, and Tata Consultancy Services.
Competitive Positioning
CG Petsky Prunier differentiates through its singular focus on TMMIS sectors. Unlike generalist middle-market banks, every banker at CG Petsky Prunier specializes in technology, media, marketing, or information services. This specialization enables them to provide nuanced advice on industry trends, valuation dynamics, and buyer motivations that generalist firms cannot match.
The firm's integration with Canaccord Genuity provides additional scale and resources while maintaining the focused expertise that made Petsky Prunier successful. This combination offers clients the best of both worlds: specialized TMMIS expertise with the broader platform and distribution capabilities of a full-service investment bank.
Not a Fit If
CG Petsky Prunier is not a fit for businesses outside their core TMMIS sectors. The firm does not advise on manufacturing, industrial, healthcare services (unless digital/tech-enabled), or traditional consumer/retail businesses. Companies below $10 million in enterprise value or those seeking limited buyer outreach should also consider other advisors.
Team
The firm is led by Managing Directors including Sanjay Chadda (Co-Head of US Investment Banking), Lance Maerov (former WPP Executive Vice President), J.P. Michaud (Charlotte office), and others. The team includes professionals with operational backgrounds in technology and marketing services, providing practical insights alongside M&A expertise.
Geographic Coverage
CG Petsky Prunier is headquartered in New York City with additional offices in Charlotte, Chicago, London, and other major financial centers. The firm serves clients across North America and selectively internationally, particularly for transactions with cross-border elements.