Pinsent Masons advises INDY Cinema on its acquisition by VERSANT

INDY will now be operated by Los Angeles-based Fandango Media (Fandango); Fandango is part of the Digital Platforms and Ventures division at VERSANT. The transaction aligns with VERSANT’s commitment to transforming businesses across technology, services, and consumer engagement.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, INDY is transforming cinema operations through its cloud-based platform, which integrates ticketing, food and beverage, loyalty programmes, marketing and real-time analytics.

Fandango is the leading digital network for all things movies and television, with a portfolio that serves more than 50 million unique visitors per month. The network tickets for more than 31,000 US screens and has sold over one billion tickets since its launch in 2000.

As part of Fandango, INDY will provide support to Fandango’s key operational functions and expand the range of tools available to its cinema partners worldwide.

Following the transaction’s completion, INDY co-founders CEO Ian Brown and CFO Carmen Brown will relocate to Fandango’s offices in Orlando, Florida.

The Pinsent Masons team that helped deliver the deal was led by UK corporate partner Walter Clark and UK corporate associate Scott Blain, working closely with Australia corporate partner Ewan Robertson and Australia corporate associate Flynn O’Connell, as well as UK corporate tax partner Peter Morley and UK corporate tax senior associate Lois Hewson.

Walter Clark commented, “I’m delighted to have helped deliver this deal for INDY. Ian, Carmen, Keith and the whole team have worked tirelessly to build a fantastic business. I’m thrilled for them as they embark on this next chapter with Fandango – I know they’ll ace it!”

Ian Brown, CEO of INDY Cinema, said, “Walter has been an exceptional adviser and trusted friend throughout INDY’s growth journey. His guidance on this deal has been invaluable.”

Joanne Ellis, Global Head of Transactional Services at Pinsent Masons, added, “This transaction underscores our commitment to the U.S. market and the strength of our cross-border M&A capability. We’re proud to have supported INDY as it joins Fandango, combining innovative technology with global scale to drive the next phase of growth.”

This is just the latest in a series of complex, high-value, international transactions that Pinsent Masons’ UK corporate practice has helped to deliver. For example, earlier this month, the team advised Great British Energy, the National Wealth Fund and the Scottish National Investment Bank on their acquisition of a stake in Pentland Offshore Wind Farm from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.