Key Takeaways
- • Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers, founder and CEO of French creative consulting group Mazarine, has raised his stake to 86 percent, ending a 15-year private equity backing period after the September transaction.
- • The exit of LBO France, Mirabaud and FG Bros follows Reiffers' 2022 move to regain a 54 percent majority stake.
- • Mazarine's annual revenue is around 300 million euros, with financial terms of the buyout not disclosed.
- • Reiffers targets doubling revenue within five years, with the U.S. a major focus after U.S. revenue tripled over three years to about $70 million.
- • Around 75 percent of group business currently comes from France, with the remainder across the U.S., China and the Middle East.
Summary
Paul-Emmanuel Reiffers, founder and chief executive of French creative consulting group Mazarine, has increased his stake in the company to 86 percent, according to WWD. The transaction, completed in September, marks the exit of private equity backers LBO France, Mirabaud and FG Bros, which had supported Reiffers in regaining a majority stake of 54 percent in 2022. Jacques Veyrat has joined as a minority investor through his Impala holding company with a 9 percent stake, while the group's managing directors collectively hold 5 percent. Financial terms were not disclosed. Company representatives said current annual revenue is around 300 million euros, and the group employs around 500 people worldwide.
Reiffers said consolidating ownership was driven by a desire to retain greater control over strategic decisions and to invest with a longer-term horizon. He said he is not seeking to sell, and that he aims to build the company over the next 30 years, with his sons Boniface and Stanislas now working in the business in Paris and New York respectively. He has set a target to double revenue within five years while expanding internationally.
About 75 percent of group business currently comes from France. Mazarine's U.S. revenue has tripled over the past three years to around $70 million, according to Reiffers, and the group works with luxury houses including Tiffany & Co. as well as brands such as Nike and Apple. In Italy, Mazarine works with Gucci and Loro Piana and plans to open a Milan office in 2027, building on its Venice office. Reiffers said China offers expansion potential and the group is considering an acquisition there, while plans for the Middle East have been put on hold by the regional conflict.
Reiffers described the current luxury slowdown as a pause rather than a structural downturn, citing geopolitical uncertainty and leadership changes at major fashion houses. Diversification has included Arter, an art and exhibition production business acquired two years ago, and the June acquisition of London luxury lifestyle PR firm Bacchus, which expands access to ultra-high-net-worth clients. Reiffers said the group has a strong two-year pipeline. The company is organized around events and experiential production, creative and communications services, and influence, and also owns Numéro magazine.
Reiffers said consolidating ownership was driven by a desire to retain greater control over strategic decisions and to invest with a longer-term horizon. He said he is not seeking to sell, and that he aims to build the company over the next 30 years, with his sons Boniface and Stanislas now working in the business in Paris and New York respectively. He has set a target to double revenue within five years while expanding internationally.
About 75 percent of group business currently comes from France. Mazarine's U.S. revenue has tripled over the past three years to around $70 million, according to Reiffers, and the group works with luxury houses including Tiffany & Co. as well as brands such as Nike and Apple. In Italy, Mazarine works with Gucci and Loro Piana and plans to open a Milan office in 2027, building on its Venice office. Reiffers said China offers expansion potential and the group is considering an acquisition there, while plans for the Middle East have been put on hold by the regional conflict.
Reiffers described the current luxury slowdown as a pause rather than a structural downturn, citing geopolitical uncertainty and leadership changes at major fashion houses. Diversification has included Arter, an art and exhibition production business acquired two years ago, and the June acquisition of London luxury lifestyle PR firm Bacchus, which expands access to ultra-high-net-worth clients. Reiffers said the group has a strong two-year pipeline. The company is organized around events and experiential production, creative and communications services, and influence, and also owns Numéro magazine.
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