ZMC
ZMC is a New York-based private equity firm founded in 2001 that invests in middle-market media, entertainment, communications, and technology companies, managing approximately $1.34 billion across three funds and an active portfolio spanning roughly two dozen businesses.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ZMC does
ZMC (legally ZelnickMedia Corp.) is a New York-based private equity firm founded in 2001 that invests in middle-market companies at the intersection of media, entertainment, communications, and technology. The firm manages three private equity funds—ZMC I ($150M, 2008), ZMC II ($415M, 2015), and ZMC III ($775M, 2019)—with total committed capital of approximately $1.34 billion. ZMC employs 51–100 professionals led by Founder and Managing Partner Strauss Zelnick, alongside Managing Partners Karl Slatoff and Jordan Turkewitz (Co-CIO), and a bench of functional operating partners in finance, technology, and talent. Since 2007, ZMC affiliates have also held an ongoing management agreement with publicly traded Take-Two Interactive Software (NASD: TTWO).
The firm's active and realized portfolio spans roughly two dozen companies across creator economy (Raptive), identity and access management (Simeio), comedy and live entertainment (The Second City, InProduction), digital marketing (Wpromote), consumer intelligence (Resonate), semiconductor services (Pure Wafer), kids and family media (9 Story Media Group), ticketing (Logitix, divested 2024), and adjacent media verticals. ZMC does not build or sell technology products; instead, it provides growth capital and operational value creation through weekly portfolio engagement on sales, business development, recruiting, and acquisitions.
Revenue is generated through two streams: management fees on committed capital across its three funds, and carried interest from successful portfolio exits such as Cast & Crew (sold to Silver Lake, 2015), ITRenew (sold to Iron Mountain, 2021), and Logitix (sold to Victory Live, 2024). ZMC differentiates via thesis-driven sector specialization, operator-led engagement, and a 20+ year relationship network. Recent acquisitions—InProduction (2023) and Pure Wafer (2024)—indicate a strategic broadening beyond traditional media into live events and semiconductor-adjacent industrial services.
ZMC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ZMC
- Legal name
- ZelnickMedia Corp.
- Website
- http://zmclp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- ZMC is a New York-based private equity firm founded in 2001 that invests in middle-market media, entertainment, communications, and technology companies, managing approximately $1.34 billion across three funds and an active portfolio spanning roughly two dozen businesses.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ZMC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Equity Investment Management
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities (523999)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Strategic / Balance-Sheet CVC (On-balance-sheet investing) (FSANAHAA)
Keywords
Where ZMC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ZMC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Management Fees and Carried Interest: As a private equity firm, ZMC generates revenue through management fees charged on committed capital across its three funds (Fund I, Fund II, Fund III), and carried interest (performance fees) from successful portfolio company exits and investments. The firm creates value through operational excellence, strategic execution, and active portfolio company management.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels3 records
ZMC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ZMC is a private equity investment firm that deploys committed capital from its three funds (ZMC I, II, III) into middle-market companies in the media, entertainment, communications, and technology sectors. Beyond capital, the firm provides operational value creation support — including sales and business development, operational initiatives, recruiting, and M&A assistance — to its portfolio companies alongside their management teams. ZMC also manages Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) under a long-standing management agreement.
Product overview
ZMC is a private equity investment firm, not a product company. It operates as a single unified investment platform offering private equity investment and operational value creation services to media, entertainment, communications, and technology businesses. ZMC does not offer software products or SaaS offerings; instead, it provides capital investment, strategic guidance, and operational support to its portfolio companies. The firm manages three private equity funds (ZMC I, ZMC II, ZMC III) with combined committed capital of approximately $1.34 billion and takes an active ownership role in its investments, working collaboratively with management teams to create value.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ZMC Private Equity Investment Services Thesis-driven private equity investment and operational value creation services for middle-market media, communications, and entertainment companies. ZMC identifies investment opportunities, deploys growth capital, and partners with management teams on strategic planning, business development, recruiting, and acquisitions across its three funds.
Companies that use ZMC
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ZMC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ZMC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ZMC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GTCR: Chicago-based mid-market PE firm with a Leaders Strategy approach to investing in growth-oriented companies. Comparable fund size range and operating approach to ZMC.
- Shamrock Holdings: Family-owned investment firm (Disney family) that invests in media, entertainment, and communications companies. Highly comparable to ZMC in fund size, sector focus, and long-duration operating approach.
- Providence Equity Partners: Private equity firm exclusively focused on media, communications, education, and technology investments. Closest sector match to ZMC's investment thesis with similar mid-to-large fund vintages.
- Crestview Partners: Mid-market PE firm headquartered in New York with significant investments in media, entertainment, and business services. Similar mid-market focus and New York base as ZMC.
- BV Investment Partners: Mid-market PE firm focused on tech-enabled business services, media, and consumer companies. Comparable fund size range and operating model to ZMC.
- Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe: Mid-market PE firm focused on technology, tech-enabled services, and healthcare. Comparable fund size range and operating partner model to ZMC.
Broad incumbents
- TPG Capital: Large global PE firm with a significant media and entertainment practice (e.g., Endeavor, Vice). Operates at larger fund sizes but overlaps with ZMC in media sector investing.
- Silver Lake: Tech-focused mega-PE firm with a known relationship to ZMC (acquired Cast & Crew from ZMC in 2015). Operates at significantly larger fund sizes but in overlapping tech/media sectors.
- Apollo Global Management: Global alternative asset manager with media and entertainment exposure across private equity, credit, and yield strategies. Much larger but operates in overlapping sectors.
- Blackstone: World's largest alternative asset manager with significant private equity investments in media, communications, and technology. Larger fund sizes but comparable sector focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ZMC social profiles
Digital presenceZMC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ZMC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
ZMC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries26 records
ZMC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ZMC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A12 records
Investments9 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ZMC
What does ZMC do?
ZMC is a private equity investment firm that deploys committed capital from its three funds (ZMC I, II, III) into middle-market companies in the media, entertainment, communications, and technology sectors. Beyond capital, the firm provides operational value creation support — including sales and business development, operational initiatives, recruiting, and M&A assistance — to its portfolio companies alongside their management teams. ZMC also manages Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) under a long-standing management agreement.
Is ZMC a public or private company?
ZMC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ZMC founded?
ZMC was founded in 2001. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ZMC based?
ZMC is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does ZMC make money?
One revenue line is on record: management Fees and Carried Interest.
Who are ZMC's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GTCR, Shamrock Holdings, Providence Equity Partners, Crestview Partners, BV Investment Partners and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe. Broad incumbents are TPG Capital, Silver Lake, Apollo Global Management and Blackstone.
Does ZMC have an API?
No public API is recorded for ZMC.
What industry is ZMC in?
ZMC's product category is Private Equity Investment Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAHAA, Strategic / Balance-Sheet CVC (On-balance-sheet investing). Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.