MediaAlpha To Sell Significant Minority Stake To Insignia Capital

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM) announced today that MediaAlpha has signed a definitive agreement to sell a significant minority stake to Insignia Capital Group in connection with a recapitalization transaction.  The transaction values MediaAlpha at approximately $350 million.

White Mountains will remain a significant equityholder in MediaAlpha going forward with a 42% ownership interest on a fully-diluted basis.  MediaAlpha’s founding managers will continue to lead the business, and each will remain a significant equityholder.

White Mountains expects to receive net cash proceeds of approximately $85 million from the transaction.  The transaction will result in a gain of approximately $55 to White Mountains’s book value per share and its adjusted book value per share.

“This transaction is an important milestone for MediaAlpha.  It recognizes the significant value that the MediaAlpha team have created to date, and it sets the stage for further value creation going forward,” said Manning Rountree, Chief Executive Officer of White Mountains.  “We are excited to welcome Insignia Capital as our new institutional investment partner.  The Insignia team has a proven track record of investing in high-growth marketing technology businesses, and their strategic and operational guidance will be highly valuable.”

The transaction is expected to close within 60 days.  It is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and MediaAlpha securing new third-party debt financing of approximately $100 million, the proceeds from which will be used to effect a dividend recapitalization.

Petsky Prunier Securities LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to MediaAlpha.  Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal advisor to selling equityholders and MediaAlpha.  Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Insignia.

About MediaAlpha

MediaAlpha is a marketing technology company.  It operates transparent and efficient exchange platforms that facilitate real-time transactions between advertisers and publishers of performance media (i.e., clicks, calls and leads).  MediaAlpha has developed distinctive platform solutions for a range of insurance verticals, including auto, motorcycle, home, renter, health and life, and non-insurance verticals, including travel, education, personal finance and home services.  MediaAlpha powers over 200 million transactions annually, representing more than $400 million in aggregate media spend.  For more information, visit www.mediaalpha.com.

About Insignia Capital Group

Insignia Capital Group is a San Francisco Bay Area private equity firm focused on middle-market companies.  Insignia partners with company founders and management teams to help drive growth and achieve true business potential.  The firm’s principals have significant experience building businesses across a range of industries including consumer, business services and healthcare.  For more information please visit www.insigniacap.com.

About White Mountains

White Mountains is a Bermuda-domiciled financial services holding company traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol WTM.  Additional financial information and other items of interest are available at the Company’s web site located at www.whitemountains.com.