TOKYO -- U.S. private equity specialist Bain Capital will acquire Japanese advertising agency Asatsu-DK, according to people familiar with the matter. The fund will launch a takeover bid soon and plans to take the company private.
Asatsu-DK is Japan's third-largest advertising agency, behind Dentsu and Hakuhodo. The offer price will likely be higher than the company's current stock price, with the takeover expected to cost Bain around 150 billion yen ($1.33 billion).
Asatsu-DK shares closed Monday down 0.3% at 3,170 yen.
