Information Services and Publishing Industry Executive Jonathan Newcomb Joins Berenson & Company as Managing Director

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Berenson & Company, a leading independent merchant banking firm, announced today that Jonathan Newcomb, a seasoned information services and publishing executive, will join Berenson as a Managing Director. Mr. Newcomb, the current Chairman of Swets, a leading global information services company, earlier served as Chairman and CEO of Simon & Schuster, and President of the McGraw Hill Financial Information Group (Standard and Poor's), among other positions.

"We're delighted to have such an accomplished executive in the education and information services sectors joining our team," said Berenson President Jeffrey Sechrest.  "At this time of rapid transition across the broad media and technology space, the insights and experience he brings regarding strategic development, business formation, integration, and execution will prove invaluable to our clients, and will further deepen our emphasis on the Media, Entertainment, Telecom and Technology sectors." 

"This is an exciting time to be in the media and information space," said Jonathan Newcomb. "There is abundant opportunity both for established players adjusting to a rapidly changing landscape and for innovative new businesses capitalizing on new technologies and not weighed down with baggage of past business models. I'm excited to be working at the intersection of operations and investment in these sectors, and Berenson is the perfect place to leverage my background and network." 

In addition to his lead role on the Board of Swets, Mr. Newcomb serves on the boards of Journal Communications (NYSE), United Business Media (LSE), Education Dynamics and the Columbia Business School.  Mr. Newcomb will continue to advise and assist companies and private equity firms in the information, publishing and education markets regarding strategic direction and repositioning, business development, and strategic transactions.

Mr. Newcomb is a graduate of Dartmouth College and The Columbia Business School and served as a United States Army 1st Lieutenant in Vietnam.

About Berenson & Company (www.berensonco.com)
Founded in 1990, Berenson & Company is an independent investment banking firm that provides high quality financial advice to a broad range of public and private corporations, financial institutions, equity sponsors and entrepreneurs.  The Firm's investment banking capabilities include a comprehensive suite of mergers & acquisitions advisory services, public and private financings of debt and equity, and financial restructuring and recapitalizations.  Its business philosophy is characterized by an objective, client-focused approach toward developing long-term relationships and creative problem-solving.  The Firm also has a long-standing principal investment business, an affiliate in Dubai and a stake in a leading investment bank in India.

Contact:
Tony Herrling / Sharon Oh
Brainerd Communicators, Inc.
212-986-6667
[email protected]
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SOURCE Berenson & Company