Houlihan Lokey Advises Bond Brand Loyalty

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Bond Brand Loyalty Inc. (Bond), a leading customer experience, loyalty, and growth firm, has received a strategic investment from Mountaingate Capital (Mountaingate). The announcement follows a strong period of growth for Bond and reflects the potential for further expansion in both reach and offerings. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Bond is an integral partner to its clients, providing a portfolio of services that are uniquely purpose-built to increase customer growth via loyalty mechanics that target both the end consumer and the behaviors of frontline employees and channel partners. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Bond has expanded to become a truly global entity with more than 800 employees in offices across North America and Europe, serving clients in sectors such as retail, mobility, healthcare, financial services, and more. The company has recently broadened operations in Europe, unveiled a new personalization platform – Synapze XI™ – and launched BondX – a full-service agency offering. Bond also recently appointed company veteran and client leader, Morana Bakula, to President, making her the first woman to hold the position at Bond.

“Bond’s success is a direct result of its ability to generate customer growth for its clients,” said Trent Sisson, Managing Director of Mountaingate. “Bond is a unique platform we are committed to expanding organically through great work as well as through acquisitions of like-minded businesses. We’re excited to partner with CEO Bob Macdonald, his leadership team, and a deep bench of global talent to grow the ways Bond can continue to deliver innovation and serve clients.”

“Mountaingate is an ideal strategic partner to help Bond drive scale at this important juncture,” said Mr. Macdonald. “From our both-sides-of-the-counter approach to brand experiences to leading-edge technology platforms to a people-first culture, our strategy is delivering. We were purpose-built to be different, and Mountaingate’s alignment with that vision is essential in attaining next-level growth for our clients, our people, and all the communities in which we operate.”

Mountaingate is a Colorado-based private equity firm investing in the marketing services, business services, specialty distribution, and specialty manufacturing sectors. Mountaingate specializes in building and empowering companies with strong growth potential and engaged leadership teams. Mountaingate’s focus on organic growth, coupled with its proven customer-centric buy-and-build approach and shared equity ownership with management, creates more value for the end customer while forging stronger, more collaborative, and more successful partnerships with management teams.

This most recent transaction further strengthens Houlihan Lokey’s leadership in the business services universe and highlights continued momentum and leadership in the marketing services sector.