M&A activity in Q1 2015 is off and running, reports Brand Growth Management. And the activity being seen in the first few months of 2015 is just the beginning. “Manufacturing, celebrity, entrepreneurs – first timers and veterans, technology-enabled, niche, and international characterizes the field and it’s no wonder why – each event has value creation and strategic merits at the heart of the deal,” writes BGM partners Kelly Kovack and Scott Gurfein, in their current report. Without further ado, here are some highlights from BGM’s Q1 2015 roundup.

PAUL MITCHELL CO-FOUNDER JOHN PAUL DEJORIA INVESTS IN BEAUTYNOW

WHAT: Founded by CEO Kathleen Jennings, BeautyNow is a mobile app that networks spas and salons using different scheduling software and connects them with consumers through a single platform.

WHY: “The thing that excited me the most, knowing a little bit about the salon business,” said John Paul, “is that a lot of the time the salon is booked and then doesn’t get the business. The [consumer] needs to find somewhere else to go and will make a lot of phone calls to find another place or call up her network of friends for recommendations…This app lets you know where to go and when to go to get whatever services you want. It adds more business to the salon industry. It also fits the lifestyle of people today. It’s about instant gratification.” John Paul invested $500,00 in BeautyNow.


UNILEVER BUYS SOAP BRANDS FROM PROCTER & GAMBLE

WHAT: Camay was introduced by P&G in 1926 as a mild soap made for women. Now sold in more than 60 countries, “Camay is one of P&G’s most global brands,” said the report. Zest Beauty Bar Soap was introduced by P&G in 1952 as a “deodorant bar” that included both standard soap and synthetic detergent ingredients. The synthetic detergent prevented the deposition of soap scum in the presence of hard water.

WHY: This latest move by the consumer-products giant is consistent with its strategy of streamlining the company. Alan Jope, President of Unilever’s Personal Care Unit, commented that their other P&G acquisition, the purchase of a soap manufacturing facility in Mexico, “They will make us one of the market leaders in skin cleansing there, a priority market for Unilever.”

Click here  to get details on the above deals, as well as to get BGM’s insight on:

  • GWYNETH PALTROW AND GOOP JOINING FORCES WITH JUICE BEAUTY
  • HAIN CELESTIAL ACQUIRING BELVEDERE INTERNATIONAL
  • CASTANEA PARTNERS TAKES STAKE IN THYMES
  • ATELIER COLOGNE RAISES FIVE MILLION EUROS
  • UNILEVER ACQUIRES REN SKINCARE
  • INTER PARFUMS SA ACQUIRES ROCHAS
  • SAN FRANCISCO EQUITY PARTNERS ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN JAPONESQUE
  • PEVONIA FOUNDERS REPURCHASE COMPANY