Liz Jones, Partner and Head of Private Wealth Partnerships, and Lindsay Schneider, Managing Director and Head of RIA Channel and Family Office Partnerships for Ares Wealth Management Solutions, joined Keith Black, Managing Director of RIA Channel, to discuss how the firm is a leading investor in the sports, media, and entertainment industries.
Since starting the Ares Wealth Management Group in 2021, private wealth assets have grown 20x, launching the firm into a top-three position in the space with a 10% market share. The venture brings the people, products, and infrastructure of Ares to the high-net-worth distribution channel. To date, the asset growth has been from US investors, but Ares is building out the infrastructure to facilitate asset growth from investors in the European, Latin American, and Asian markets.
Ares raised $1.3 billion in the US RIA and family office channel in 2024. Ares has a team of 50 people who regularly engage with RIAs who seek to provide high-touch service. The financial advisor solutions team provides ongoing education, portfolio analytics, and model portfolios. Products specifically developed for the RIA market seek tax-advantaged, durable income, and diversified equity exposures. RIAs and family offices are looking to partner with managers who can consult on solutions for the upcoming generational wealth transfer.
Ares has been investing in media, entertainment, and sports teams and leagues since 2007. With $10 billion invested, Ares has the largest team investing in these industries. Ares launched a stand-alone sports, media, and entertainment fund series in 2020. In addition to the brand name recognition in this sector, Schneider notes that the economic fundamentals are strong. These properties are growing globally and may have little relationship to other private market investments. Ares has built relationships, allowing the firm to invest in every global league open to private equity investors.
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