Arlington Capital Partners Announces Investment in PlattForm Holdings, Inc.
WASHINGTON, DC, January 30, 2006 – Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington, DC-based private equity firm, today announced an investment in privately held PlattForm Holdings, Inc., in partnership with the company’s existing management team. With more than 350 employees, PlattForm is a leading enrollment solutions provider to the post-secondary education industry.
PlattForm’s enrollment solutions include internet marketing services, media placement services for the television, print, and radio markets, creative and production, direct mail services, public relations, and call center services, all of which are designed to assist clients in attracting, enrolling and retaining students. Within PlattForm’s industry leading internet marketing product line, enrollment solutions include search engine optimization, affiliate marketing, pay-per-click advertising, and website design and development. PlattForm also has its own developed websites, such as www.search4careercolleges.com and www.careerexplorer.net, which provide information to potential students and leads to schools on a guaranteed cost per lead basis. The company offers enrollment solutions to both for-profit and not-for-profit school groups, as well as to select segments of the U.S. Armed Services.
“The competition for new students amongst post-secondary education providers has necessitated that schools not only increase their marketing budgets, but also change their marketing strategies,” said Jeffrey Freed of Arlington Capital Partners. “Both for-profit and non-profit schools alike are increasingly turning to sophisticated ROI-based providers like PlattForm in order to more cost-effectively identify and recruit prospective students, and convert those prospects (leads) to enrollments.”
John Bates of Arlington Capital Partners noted: “Our interest in PlattForm rose primarily out of the breadth of the company’s product offering. As a single source for integrated enrollment services, the company is able to maximize its customer’s return on invested dollars by moving client budgets across different advertising mediums. The company’s foundation of quantifiable analytics and tracking allow it to serve as a long-term strategic partner to its customers. We look forward to working closely with management as they continue to aggressively grow the business.”
PlattForm will continue to be led by its Chief Executive Officer, Michael Platt, who, in conjunction with PlattForm’s management team, has been responsible for the company’s growth since it was founded in 1997. Michael Platt is a leading expert in the post-secondary education industry, and serves on the Board of the Career College Foundation. In addition, he was named as an Entrepreneur of the Year in the category of Business Services by Ernst & Young.
Michael Platt commented about the new relationship with Arlington: “Our newly formed partnership with Arlington will allow us to continue to grow our business while further strengthening our operations. Arlington’s commitment to investing in education and focus on growth and market leadership make them an ideal partner”. Platt added “Our customers are experiencing significant growth, and working with a firm such as Arlington will ensure that we have the appropriate resources and the capital to offer additional products and services to support our clients and assist them in navigating this increasingly competitive landscape. We also look forward to using some of Arlington’s established Washington relationships to help further introduce our wide array of capabilities to other appropriate vertical markets, including the U.S. military.”
With the funding that Arlington is providing to the company, PlattForm is seeking to expand its service offerings to customers and potential customers, through both product line extensions as well as through acquisitions and investments. PlattForm is currently seeking acquisition candidates that will fit well with its existing business and product lines.
About Arlington Capital Partners
Arlington Capital Partners is a Washington, DC-based private equity fund with over $800 million of committed capital focused on middle market buyout investment opportunities in growth industries including: aerospace/defense, federal and commercial IT and engineering services, media, education & training, healthcare services and business services & outsourcing. The firm’s professionals have a unique combination of operating and private equity experience that enables Arlington to be a value-added investor. Arlington invests in companies in partnership with high quality management teams that are motivated to establish and/or advance their company’s position as leading competitors in their field.
SOURCE: Arlington Capital Partners
Contact: Jeffrey Freed
Arlington Capital Partners
5425 Wisconsin Ave
Suite 200
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(202) 337-7500