About Us

“In January of 2018, John McGovern, who had been running the Global Events, Technology & Digital Media Group for ten years, acquired the firm from Larry Grimes and is now the sole owner of Grimes, McGovern & Associates. The Grimes family is no longer involved in the firm, but their name lives on.”

Established in 1959 as W.B. Grimes & Company, Grimes, McGovern, and Associates is a leading Merger and Acquisitions Advisory firm serving the Publishing, Global Events, Technology & Digital Media Sectors.

For more than 60 years, Grimes, McGovern & Associates has represented owners in the sale, acquisition, and assessment of thousands of daily and weekly newspapers, national and regional B2B and B2C magazines, conferences, and trade shows, digital information, and technology solutions companies. Grimes, McGovern & Associates has completed over 1,600 transactions in its history.

Grimes, McGovern has sold media companies in every state in the U.S. throughout Canada and Europe. The firm’s associates have distinguished careers as media executives and entrepreneurs, providing the hands-on industry expertise needed in the world of Mergers & Acquisitions.

Grimes, McGovern has two Divisions doing Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory work:

The Global Events, Technology & Digital Media Group, with offices in New York, Atlanta, and South America, represents sellers and buyers in the areas of:

• B2B and B2C Media
• Digital Media
• Events
• Tradeshows
• Conferences
• Exhibitions
• Expositions
• Summits
• Hosted Buyer Events
• Advertising
• Information Services
• Print Media

Grimes, McGovern & Associates’ specialty is working with small to medium-size sellers who need a high level of service throughout the Mergers & Acquisitions process.

On the buy-side, the Global Events, Technology & Digital Media Group has retainer clients Globally who are medium to significant Event, Technology & Digital Media Organizers looking for targets to acquire globally.

“John McGovern at Grimes, McGovern & Associates acted for my partner and me in selling our London-based international media business to a large German corporation. The sale was completed at the end of January 2017. John was active in seeking buyers and provided calm and considered counsel during the extended final negotiations with two of them. The sale schedule was disrupted by the UK’s vote for Brexit midway through it, and John was always ready to have the tough conversations about the value which arose because £ sterling exchange rates moved sharply following the vote. I would certainly recommend him to other owners.”
— Founder, London-based international media business

The Publishing Group of Grimes, McGovern & Associates, with offices in 10 states, offers a unique blend of state, regional, and national perspectives to help owners grow their business through acquisitions or position their publishing company for sale.

Our Associates are all veterans who have spent their careers entrenched in the publishing business. They understand the ins and outs of the sale process and can advise clients on ways to maximize their investment, whether buying or selling. All have extensive contacts throughout the country with major players, regional groups, and strategic buyers and sellers.

Our formal assessments are often used as management tools to position a company for sale as owners consider their exit plan. Assessments can also be beneficial for estate planning, financing, and analyzing growth strategies.

We specialize in personalized service offered by Associates who understand the business and the emotions of buying and selling closely held companies.

We are pleased with Grimes, McGovern, and Associates VP of Newspapers Group. Julie Bergman and her efforts with the sale of our newspaper. While developing new prospects, she also renewed previous contacts, which resulted in the sale. She continues to offer assistance with minor issues after the sale. We would recommend her to anyone pondering the sale of their newspaper.
— Greg and Kathi Viergutz, Gothenburg Times, Gothenburg, NE