Petsky Prunier advises Pareto on its Take-Private acquisition by The Riverside Company

March 17, 2011 (New York, NY) – Petsky Prunier is pleased to announce it has advised Pareto Corporation (TSX: PTO), a leading shopper marketing execution company, on its take-private by The Riverside Company, a leading private equity investor. The sale price was C$125 million, based on C$2.72 per share plus the assumption of debt. The price per share represents a 51% equity premium to the 12-month weighted average price of C$1.80.

Pareto Corporation, based in Toronto, is one of the leading marketing services companies in North America and the dominant provider of shopper marketing execution management in Canada. The Company has developed a comprehensive suite of measurable, quantifiable services, including retail promotion, merchandising, direct selling, direct marketing and incentives. These services are sold as an integrated end-to-end solution, unmatched by any competitor.

The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on acquiring growing enterprises valued at up to $200 million. The firm partners with strong management teams and enhances its investments through acquisitions and organic growth. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 245 transactions with a total enterprise value of more than $5.8 billion. The firm’s portfolio in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region includes 74 companies with roughly 13,000 employees.

A team from Petsky Prunier, led by John Prunier, Sanjay Chadda, and Matthew Kratter, served as exclusive financial advisor to Pareto.

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