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Backstage expands ex-US

Following last month’s acquisition of the UK-based Spotlight casting service for actors, another US-based castings company, Backstage, has announced acquisitions in the UK and AsiaPacific. The company has acquired: StarNow, based in New Zealand and serving Australasia; and The Mandy Network, in the UK which employs some 20 people and most recently made a profit of some £1m on estimated revenue of £2-3m.

In addition to Mandy and Spotlight, the legendary news brand The Stage also operates a Castings service in the UK.

Backstage was founded in 1960 and claims 250k paid subscriptions for its talent database. The company, which is believed to have US revenue of some $15-20m, has recently received development capital through a stake from private equity firm TA Associates. Terms not disclosed. 

Backstage