TORONTO, ON--(Marketwired - June 07, 2017) - Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX: CVG) ("Clairvest") is pleased to announce that today Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association announced Clairvest as the winner of the 2017 Private Equity 'Deal of the Year' award for the successful realization of Cieslok Media. Cieslok Media is a leading Canadian out of home advertising firm, operating predominantly large format digital and static billboards throughout major cities in Canada. Clairvest sold its stake in Cieslok Media to Bell Media and realized a return of 8.4x invested capital and an internal rate of return ("IRR") of 92% over a holding period of approximately three years.

Since Clairvest partnered with Jörg Cieslok in a management buyout in September 2013, Cieslok Media embarked upon a successful growth strategy that materially increased revenue and EBITDA in three years. During this time, Cieslok Media completed three acquisitions, organically expanded its digital sign inventory and successfully launched an integrated mobile advertising offering.

This is Clairvest's fifth Private Equity Deal of the Year win following the awards for; KUBRA (2014), PEER 1 (2013), Shepell-FGI (2009) and Gateway Casinos (2008).

"We are very proud of our team and our investment partners to have earned this recognition on multiple occasions. This is a testament to our disciplined investment strategy and our team's unique ability and desire to diligently research industries. We build successful relationships with proven operating partners who outperform the competition. Our focus on alignment of interest, fundamental business growth and expertise of accelerating growth to build assets of strategic significance have all contributed to many successful outcomes during our 30 years in business," said Ken Rotman, Co-CEO and Managing Director at Clairvest.

About Clairvest

Clairvest Group Inc. is a private equity management firm that invests its own capital, and that of third parties through the Clairvest Equity Partners limited partnerships, in businesses that have the potential to generate superior returns. In addition to providing financing, Clairvest contributes strategic expertise and execution ability to support the growth and development of its investee partners. Clairvest realizes value through investment returns and the eventual disposition of its investments.