Bain Prepared to Spend $900 Million for Advertising M&A in Asia

Bain Capital LP said it is prepared to spend about $900 million or more to acquire digital advertising companies in Asia as it revamps Japan’s No. 3 agency to better compete with rivals like Dentsu Inc.

The Boston-based private equity firm acquired 87 percent of shares in Asatsu-DK Inc., in a tender offer, the companies said in statements Dec. 7. Bain said it expects to delist the company by March and then build it up by acquiring firms with technology and expertise in the fast-growing digital marketing segment.

“We can provide the funding as needed,” Yuji Sugimoto, the Japan representative ...