Marlin & Associates Honored for Advising on m&a Transactions During Turbulent Times

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - March 23, 2009) - Marlin & Associates ("Marlin"), the boutique investment banking advisor and strategic consultant to middle market digital information economy firms, today announced that the firm has been recognized for leading the m&a Deal of the Year in the Financial Services sector and for the Deal of the Year in the Information Technology sector.

The awards, which honor excellence in deal making, were presented by The M&A Advisor, a conference producer and newsletter publisher serving the middle market finance industry, at the 3rd Annual Turnaround Awards Gala at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. An independent body of experts judged and determined the ultimate recipients of the awards. Marlin was chosen from among the 107 other finalists.

"We are honored to be recognized for our role in helping affect m&a transactions in turbulent times," said Ken Marlin, Founder and Managing Partner of Marlin & Associates. "We were fortunate in that we had strong clients. In times like these, we believe that our blend of operational and financial experience, combined with our broad international reach and track record of success, put us in a formidable position to advise a wide range of middle market technology-enabled firms that are looking to transact."

"Given the financial crisis and the current economic state, all of the winners should be especially proud of their award," said Roger Aguinaldo, CEO and Publisher of The M&A Advisor. "They have each excelled in their field and are truly deserving of the honor."

About The M&A Advisor

Since 1998, The M&A Advisor has been connecting professionals in the mergers and acquisitions, distressed investing and related financial industries through its leading conferences and awards galas, M&A Alerts newsletter and online community. For more information, go to www.maadvisor.com.

About Marlin & Associates

Founded in 2002, Marlin & Associates New York LLC is a boutique investment banking and strategic consulting firm focused on providing highly strategic, transaction-related services to U.S. and international middle market firms engaged in technology, information, online media and business services. The firm is based in New York City with offices in Washington, D.C. and Toronto.

The firm has been the recipient of numerous other awards, including "Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year," as well as the "Middle Market Financing Agent of the Year - Equity," and multiple "Deal of the Year" categories including: "Financial Technology Deal of the Year," "International Cross-Border Deal of the Year," and for "Middle Market Financing - Computer, Technology and Telecommunications Deal of the Year."

Marlin's professionals have acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisors to more than 200 middle market technology and online information firms. Recent transactions on which Marlin has advised include the sale of companies to Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN), IBM (NYSE: IBM), Thomson Reuters Corporation (NYSE: TRI), and Interactive Data corporation (NYSE: IDC). For more information, go to www.MarlinLLC.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Marlin & Associates New York LLC +1 (212) 257-6300