IMG, an Endeavor company and global leader in events, media, sports and fashion, announced on Thursday that it has acquired a majority stake in Barrett-Jackson, the premier collector car auction and live events company.
IMG, which owns, operates and commercially represents hundreds of events around the world, including Frieze art fairs, the Madrid and Miami Open tennis tournaments, Formula Drift, and New York Fashion Week: The Shows, will serve as Barrett-Jackson’s strategic partner. Craig Jackson, who as CEO has built Barrett-Jackson into one of the world’s foremost brand authorities and lifestyle destinations for premium collector cars, and his Scottsdale-based team, including President Steve Davis, will look to leverage IMG and Endeavor’s global network and expertise in building world-class event experiences and brands to further enhance and grow the business.
“We have long been admirers of Barrett-Jackson and have seen first-hand the scale, excitement and 50 years of tradition surrounding their events,” said Endeavor CEO Ariel Emanuel. “Like IMG, Barrett-Jackson is a pioneer of its industry, and we look forward to working with Craig and his team to build on its impressive legacy across categories including experiences, hospitality, content, marketing and partnerships.”
Barrett-Jackson’s events and high-energy auctions in Scottsdale, Las Vegas, Palm Beach, and Houston attract many of the world’s most prominent auto collectors, fans and celebrities, as well as millions of TV viewers, and see annual sales of more than 3,600 cars at no reserve. Its flagship Scottsdale event, founded in 1971, auctions highly sought-after and valuable automobiles and annually welcomes more than 300,000 attendees, making it one of the oldest and largest collector car auction events in the world.
“Pairing Barrett-Jackson with the unique power of the Endeavor network is an unparalleled opportunity for our company, immediately opening doors to amplify and accelerate the growth of Barrett-Jackson as a global lifestyle brand,” remarked Craig Jackson, CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “I couldn’t be more excited to have the best partner as we look to optimize our fan experience and create new touchpoints for car enthusiasts around our live events and media offerings.”
Barrett-Jackson President Steve Davis echoed Jackson’s sentiment: “After more than 25 years with Barrett-Jackson, I can’t wait for this next chapter for our customers. We’ve built something incredibly special and with the expertise and relationships of IMG, Craig and I look forward to elevating our offering and attracting a whole new generation of fans.”
IMG’s investment in the collector car industry comes at a time when enthusiasm around collector cars and live events, demand for auto-related content, and collector car prices are at a record high, as well as a time in which car collectors are increasingly trending younger.
Best of luck.
Keep it going B & J.
List of cars for sale
Who is IMG?
A Chinese group.
Pls reconsider Mohegan Sun contract
Pls favorably reconsider Mohegan Sun (Uncasville, CT) 5yr contract
That’s the end of B J as we know it.
Well, another American business bought by a Chinese conglomerate. Funny the”reporter” missed that. One of the first major American purchases was that of the Nick Bollettieri tennis academy in Sarasota which has now become a full-service sports high school who’s teams now are made up of the best athletes from many nations and completely dominating local schools. about 85% of the students at the school are from other nations being the best athletes , with the richest parents, in by the world. Local teams don’t have a chance.
SAD DAY FOR THE LITTLE COLLECTOR…SAD DAY
Pricing on the average vehicle just jumped 10 – 20 percent!
Don’t mess with it…. leave it as it is, and don’t over-commercialize it… please.
This is a great opportunity to expand into new territory. Change is good. I’m absolutely positive that this will be an exciting, new and positive business endeavour for the Barrett Jackson team.
I get it some people don’t like change and like it the way it is however, the CEO’s of Barrett Jackson have made the decision to take the company on a new and exciting journey. I know beyond a doubt that their decision will be a good one.
Bottom Line: they are cashing out
I think doing business with the Chinese right now is not a good idea.
I agree if we keep selling all to china , they some day will take over the US.
How much money do these two men need?
Wow!!
That is a comment that so many and too many will hear,agree,and sadly, ignore,but is solely to the core,true beyond comprehension.
Too bad. ,,,,,, Long live the American Mecham Family !!!!!
Thats okay, the Chinese are probably more honest anyway
Not hardly
Not hardly.
Not a good day for America. As long as the Chinese keep on acquiring our companies then what are we going to have left for our future? Can’t imagine our country being run by a foreign country. The US owes money to China in the trillions of dollars. They are going to get it back one way or the other. Yeah, Barrett Jackson has a new backer but what control do they have now and what is their future?
Barrett Jackson Is Iconic & Will Succeed Even More With IMG, The Finest Car Auction In The World.
https://www.thelifeofluxury.com/the-mona-lisa-of-motorcycles-50-million-art-trade-deal/
I hope its for the better.