News Archive for 2004

December 31, 2004 - On January 7, 2005, William Blair & Company executives will ring the opening bell at the Nasdaq and the closing bell at New York Stock Exchange to commemorate our 70th anniversary. Click for more details.

December 29, 2004 - William Blair & Company served as placement agent on John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s private placement of senior unsecured notes.

December 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the acquisition of CMN International Inc. by FirstService Corporation. William Blair assisted in the negotiations and acted as financial advisor to the board of directors and to the special committee of CMN. Click for details.

December 23, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Nalco Holding Company, a leading provider of water treatment and process-improvement chemicals and services, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

December 21, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Blackbaud, Inc., the largest provider of software and related services dedicated exclusively to nonprofit organizations (NPOs), with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

December 17, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of three leading defense analytics companies—Cogent, Inc. with a Market Perform rating and Aggressive Growth company profile; NICE Systems Ltd. with an Outperform rating and Aggressive Growth company profile; and Verint Systems Inc. with an Outperform rating and Core Growth company profile.

December 16, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Aramark Corporation, which provides outsourced foodservice, facilities management, and uniform services to clients in business and industrial, health care, education, corrections, and sports and entertainment markets, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Established Growth.

December 14, 2004 - October 2004 brought about a flurry of legislation and significant changes in tax laws affecting both individuals and companies, and these changes may have an impact on your year-end tax planning. Click for some explanations and insights.

December 7, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of FoxHollow Technologies, Inc., which develops, manufactures, and sells a minimally invasive device, the SilverHawk, to treat peripheral arterial disease, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

December 3, 2004 - William Blair Capital Partners is a gold sponsor of the Third Annual Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA) Awards on Monday, December 6, 2004, in Chicago.

December 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc., which develops, manufactures, and sells minimally invasive products to treat symptomatic venous reflux disease, a common disorder in which the check valves in the large saphenous vein in the leg allow blood to reflux back down the leg, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 30, 2004 - The tenth and final session in our Health Care Teach-In series, to be held on December 9, 2004, will provide a panel discussion and topical overview of the health care industry as well as the group's best stock ideas for 2005 and beyond.

November 22, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Huron Consulting Group Inc., which employs nearly 500 consultants in seven other major U.S. cities who help clients respond appropriately to challenges arising from litigation, investigations, regulation, financial distress, and other causes of change or conflict, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 19, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Macrovision Corporation, the industry leader for copy protection, digital rights management, and software licensing technologies designed to deter casual pirating and to control electronically the use of digital content and software, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 16, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of WebSideStory, Inc., a leader in the Web analytics industry, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 12, 2002 - William Blair & Company is hosting a luncheon and panel discussion today, “Women and Investing: Making It a Top Priority.”

November 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company will host its 4th Annual Market Outlook with George Greig, Global Strategist, at The Metropolitan Club.

November 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the sale of four divisions of VPI, LLC.

November 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Primus Guaranty, Ltd., a triple-A-rated derivatives operating company focused on selling credit protection in derivative form for investment-grade securities, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

November 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of UTi Worldwide, Inc., a global, non-asset-based supply chain management organization that delivers services through more than 452 offices in 134 countries, including exclusive agents, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

November 3, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., a leading regional wholesale branch-based distributor of commercial and residential roofing materials, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 28, 2004 - The ninth session in our Health Care Teach-In series, to be held on Thursday, November 4, 2004, will provide an update of the generic and specialty drug industry.

October 28, 2004 - Debt Capital Markets has new content on the Web pages of this site. New features include: Public Finance, Trading & Underwriting, Corporate Debt, Credit Tenant Leases, Swap Advisory Services and Newsletters. To view these pages, please visit Debt Capital Markets.

October 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Northview Financial Corporation in the company’s sale to Wintrust Financial Corporation in a cash and stock transaction valued at $49.9 million.

October 26, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Navigant Consulting, Inc., which provides business, litigation, and regulatory consulting services to industries undergoing substantial change, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 22, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce the sale of Applied Systems, Inc. to Vista Equity Partners.

October 14, 2004 - On October 12, 2004, William Blair & Company’s Vice Chairman, Dave Coolidge, accepted the BGA Tribute Award from the Better Government Association.

October 14, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Cognos Incorporated, a leading provider of business intelligence software with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

October 12, 2004 - In the September 20, 2004 issue of Crain’s Chicago Business, William Blair & Company was profiled for its IPO business and its growing market share.

October 12, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Virage Logic Corporation, a leading provider of semiconductor IP, including standard cell libraries, memory instances, and memory compilers, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 11, 2004 - The Cerulli Edge recognizes William Blair & Company as the first investment firm to introduce the Invest As You Spend program in partnership with MBNA.

October 11, 2004 - In August 2004, William Blair & Company acted as Swap Advisor to the Rockford School District Number 205 as it executed a $34,750,000 Swaption refunding, marking only the second time a refunding of this nature has been executed by a public school district in Illinois.

October 8, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to The Holland Group, Inc. in the financing of the Company’s acquisition of a fifth wheel business and the amendments to existing debt agreements in connection with the acquisition.

October 7, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of eCost.com, a multicategory online discount retailer of high-quality new, refurbished, and closeout brand-name merchandise, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 6, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of United Surgical Partners International, Inc., one of the world’s leading operators of short-stay surgical facilities, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

October 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Garmin Ltd., NAVTEQ Corporation, and Trimble Navigation Limited, leading providers of global positioning system technology.

September 30, 2004 – On September 20, 2004, Christine Kelly of William Blair & Company’s Corporate Debt practice was a panelist discussing senior, junior and mezzanine debt and the advantages, disadvantages and intercreditor issues at the Asset Based Lending Symposium in New York City. The Symposium was sponsored by Financial Research Associates.

September 29, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of j2 Global Communications, Inc., a leading provider of outsourced messaging and communication services designed for individuals, companies, and government agencies, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

September 29, 2004 - The eighth session in our Health Care Teach-In series, to be held on October 7, 2004, will provide an overview of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003.

September 28, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to Voxar, Ltd. (Voxar or the Company) in connection with its acquisition by Barco NV for total consideration of €39 million.

September 28, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc., the second-largest paid tax return preparer in the United States based on tax returns filed, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

September 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Pixar Animation Studios, a leading digital animation studio that has created five animated movies to date totaling nearly $2.6 billion cumulatively at the box office, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

September 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Arrow Financial Services LLC in its sale of a majority interest to SLM Corporation, commonly known as Sallie Mae.

September 24, 2004 - The William Blair Income Fund was profiled in the September issue of Rukeyser's Mutual Funds.

September 24, 2004 - William Blair & Company served as financial advisor to PDI, Inc. in its acquisition of Pharmakon LLC for $30 million.

September 22, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of HomeBanc Corp., which focuses on originating a variety of residential mortgage loans in select high-growth markets in the Southeastern United States, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

September 17, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of EnerSys Inc., a global manufacturer and distributor of lead-acid batteries for use in industrial applications, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

September 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company introduces online Client Service Center resource.

September 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a developmental-stage company building a portfolio of hormone therapy products for men and women, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

September 13, 2004 - On Wednesday, September 15th, William Blair & Company will be hosting a client luncheon seminar, Rising Interest Rates: Headwinds to Profitable Gifts.

September 7, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to International Utility Structures Inc. in the sale of substantially all of its North American assets to Valmont Industries, Inc.

September 3, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as placement agent for the Terlato Wine Group, Ltd. in the arrangement of a $50,000,000 mortgage financing.

September 2, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce that fund managers Mike Balkin, Karl Brewer and George Greig were named to Barron's Top Manager List.

September 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company has announced that it is reforming its private equity group, William Blair Capital Partners.

September 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to introduce online access to monthly client statements.

August 27, 2004 - The seventh session in our Health Care Teach-in series, to be held on September 2, 2004, will provide an overview of the diagnostics sector.

August 23, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Managed Health Care Associates, Inc., a portfolio company of Advent International, Inc., in its sale to GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC.

August 19, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc., a provider of nonstandard automobile insurance policies, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

August 18, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of StarTek, Inc., a leading provider of business process outsourcing services, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

August 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Design Within Reach, Inc., a highly integrated multichannel provider of modern design furnishings and accessories, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

August 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Clayton Services, Inc. in the sale of an interest to TA Associates.

August 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Life Time Fitness, Inc., which operates a growing chain of 35 upscale state-of-the-art fitness centers, primarily located in affluent suburbs of major cities, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

August 6, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to the parent of Arcadia Services, Inc., Addus HealthCare, Inc., in conjunction with the divestiture of Arcadia from the Addus family of companies.

August 5, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to announce its role in The J.M. Smucker Company’s acquisition of the formerly NYSE listed International Multifoods Corporation.

August 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to the parent of SBI.Razorfish, SBI Holdings Inc., in conjunction with the sale of SBI.Razorfish to aQuantive, Inc. for $160 million.

August 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Cabela’s Incorporated, a leading marketer and retailer of hunting, fishing, and camping equipment, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

August 3, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of salesforce.com, inc., the leading provider of on-demand customer relationship management services to the enterprise market, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

August 2, 2004 - William Blair & Company was retained by Bethel College and Seminary as manager to structure and finance an $8.5 million variable rate revenue bond transaction.

July 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. with an Outperform rating and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. with a Market Perform rating. Both companies were assigned Aggressive Growth company profiles.

July 26, 2004 - The sixth session in our Health Care Teach-in series, to be held on August 5, 2004, will provide an overview of the cardiovascular sub-sector.

July 20, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Digirad Corporation, a player in the $300 million market for nuclear cardiology diagnostic equipment, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

July 20, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Tetrionics, a privately held company, in connection with its sale to Sigma-Aldrich Corporation.

July 19, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, which develops, manufactures, and markets therapeutics with a focus on dermatology, infectious disease, and neurology, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

July 13, 2004 - On Thursday, July 29th, Mark Brady, principal and head of William Blair & Company's Mergers & Acquisitions Group, will present a practical and in-depth discussion on a wide range of issues involved in selling a business.

July 8, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Standard Parking Corporation, a leading provider of parking management services, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

June 28, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to LogistiCare, Inc. and its board of directors in the $155 million sale of the company to a group of private equity investors led by Charterhouse Group International and Summit Partners.

June 22, 2004 - With a roster headlined by some of the world’s leading business services, consumer, financial, health care, and technology companies, Chicago-based William Blair & Company kicked off its 24th Annual Growth Stock Conference, a three-day event featuring more than 170 companies of all sizes and attracting investors from around the globe.

June 18, 2004 - The fifth session in our Health Care Teach-in series, to be held on July 1, 2004, will provide an overview of the biotechnology sector.

June 14, 2004 - William Blair Funds announced today the newest addition to its mutual fund family, the William Blair International Equity Fund.

June 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company has announced a strategic alliance with Poalim Capital Markets, a subsidiary of Bank Hapoalim, in Israel.

June 2, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Assured Guaranty Ltd., a leading financial guarantor, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

June 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Gander Mountain Company, a specialty retailer with a merchandising focus on hunting, fishing, and camping, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

June 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Charles River Associates Incorporated in connection with its acquisition of InteCap, Inc. for $81.7 million.

May 27, 2004 - The fourth session in our Health Care Teach-in Series, to be held on June 3, 2004, will provide an overview of orthopedics.

May 27, 2004 - Registered Rep, a financial services industry publication, announced the "Top 10 Outstanding Brokers" in the U.S. in its May 2004 issue. One of William Blair & Company’s brokerage teams was recognized among the outstanding brokers.

May 26, 2004 - William Blair & Company recently published a white paper that discusses a method which gives corporate insiders greater flexibility when conducting transactions in their company stock. Click for more information and to register to receive a copy of the paper.

May 26, 2004 - The second quarter issue of our client newsletter, Client Focus, is now available on our Web site.

May 25, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Kintera, Inc., an early leader in providing software as a service to nonprofit organizations, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

May 20, 2004 - Airpax Corporation, a leading manufacturer of circuit protection and thermal sensing products, announced the completion of a $78.5 million recapitalization by management, William Blair Capital Partners VII and Norwest Equity Partners VII. William Blair Capital Partners VII led the recapitalization, investing approximately $24.5 million.

May 18, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Wilkinson Manufacturing Company, a leading Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska-based manufacturer of plastic and aluminum food containers serving the food service markets.

May 17, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to NetSpend Corporation in a recapitalization transaction led by Oak Investment Partners.

May 12, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to U.S. Counseling Services (USCS), a privately held company, in connection with the sale of USCS to Thermo Electron Corporation.

May 11, 2004 - William Blair & Company is now providing detailed information on each individual Current Better Values Portfolio including holdings, sector weightings and performance.

May 10, 2004 - With the release of a comprehensive report on the nanotechnology industry titled, “A “TINY” Overview of Nanotechnology: Big Ideas Come In Small Packages,” William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Harris & Harris Group, Inc. with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

May 6, 2004 - On May 10th, William Blair & Company's Vice Chairman, Dave Coolidge, will be presenting at the AIMR National Conference in Denver.

May 6, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of The Ultimate Software Group, Inc., one of the leading providers of in-house payroll solutions to middle-market firms, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

May 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Unico Holdings, Inc. in connection with the sale of the company to Cardinal Growth L.P.

April 28, 2004 - The third session in our Health Care Teach-in Series, held on May 6, 2004, will provide an overview of disease management and specialty providers.

April 28, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Boston Biomedica in connection with the sale of the assets of its Diagnostics and Biotech Divisions to SeraCare Life Sciences Inc.

April 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Ecolab Inc., the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, and related products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, institutional, and industrial markets, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Established Growth.

April 26, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of TNS, Inc., which provides specialized telecommunications-related services that support transaction-processing applications, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

April 21, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Kyphon Inc., which manufactures a minimally invasive system used to treat vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) through a procedure called kyphoplasty, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

April 19, 2004 - William Blair & Company announced today that it has been awarded more than $2 billion in assets from The Vanguard Group.

April 16, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc. and Michaels Stores, Inc., two leading arts and crafts retailers, with Outperform ratings.

April 12, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as the sole placement agent to Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. in the placement of $44.6 million Guarantied Senior Notes for the financing of the Boatswain’s Beach Project.

April 8, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., one of the leading processors and marketers of tree nuts and peanuts in the United States, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

April 2, 2004 – William Blair & Company served as the sole private placement agent in a $40 million convertible subordinated note offering for Noble International, Ltd.

March 30, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Chicago Steel Tape Co. in its acquisition by The Stanley Works.

March 26, 2004 - The William Blair & Company 2003 Annual Review and First Quarter edition of our client newsletter, Client Focus, are now available on our Web site.

March 23, 2004 - The second session in our Health Care Teach-In Series will be held on April 1, 2004 covering the generic and specialty pharmaceutical sectors.

March 19, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of AlphaSmart, Inc., one of the leading providers of one-to-one computing for the K-12th grade levels, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

March 17, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of VCA Antech, Inc., the largest operator of freestanding animal hospitals and veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

March 16, 2004 - On February 26, 2004, Concord EFS, Inc. and First Data Corporation completed their previously announced merger in a stock-for-stock transaction valued at approximately $7.2 billion. William Blair & Company acted as co-financial advisor to Concord in connection with the merger.

March 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to The Bi-Mart Corporation in its sale to The Bi-Mart Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

March 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of Asset Acceptance Capital Corp., a leading purchaser and collector of charged-off consumer debts in the United States, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

March 10, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to Thrall Enterprises, Inc. in the purchase of Graphic Solutions, Inc.

March 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of BioLase Technology, Inc., the leading manufacturer and marketer of dental lasers, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

March 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company is hosting a client event featuring Jeffrey Bleustein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc.

March 1, 2004 - William Blair Funds announced today that the William Blair International Growth Fund will close to new investors on March 12, 2004.

March 1, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to Alfigen, Inc. in the Company’s sale to Genzyme Corporation.

February 27, 2004 - William Blair & Company is pleased to present a series of Teach-Ins regarding specific topics in the health care industry. Each month we will feature an equity research analyst in our Health Care Sector who will share thorough and in-depth insights for stock investments in his specialized niche.

February 25, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of American Superconductor Corporation, a leader in electricity solutions, offering products that improve the efficiency and reliability of electrical power systems, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

February 13, 2004 - For our clients who use Quicken® and Microsoft Money® to monitor personal finances and to assist with tax preparation, we invite you to take advantage of the download opportunity via the William Blair & Company Investor Annex Web Site.

February 12, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Organización Corona SA in the acquisition of Mansfield Plumbing Products, LLC.

February 11, 2004 - Ahold today announced its intention to divest its BI-LO and Bruno’s subsidiaries, two of the leading supermarket chains in the Southeast region of the United States. Ahold has retained William Blair & Company to assist in the sale process.

February 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company completes first cross-border transaction of 2004 by serving as exclusive financial advisor to Hesperion AG.

February 6, 2004 - William Blair Capital Partners VII today announced that it led the recapitalization of ABC Window Co., a leading manufacturer of vinyl and aluminum windows and patio doors, investing approximately $27 million.

February 4, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of The Pantry, Inc., a leading convenience store operator, with an Outperform rating and company profile of Aggressive Growth.

January 29, 2004 - In a report entitled “William Blair & Company: Quality Growth Stock Research and Investing,” our director of research, Bob Newman, details the firm’s quality growth investment philosophy and research process, and highlights the merits of our long tradition of focusing on durable business franchises that can indeed stand the test of time.

January 23, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of LECG Corporation, which provides economic and litigation expertise to businesses and government agencies, with a Market Perform rating and company profile of Core Growth.

January 22, 2004 - William Blair Capital Partners VII today announced that it was a co-lead investor in a second-round financing of $30 million for TargeGen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focusing on treatments for cardiovascular (ischemic) diseases and cancer.

January 22, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of three leading interactive media and marketing services companies—Digitas Inc. with a Market Perform rating and Aggressive Growth company profile, Modem Media, Inc. with an Outperform rating and Aggressive Growth company profile, and Yahoo! Inc. with a Market Perform rating and Core Growth company profile.

January 20, 2004 - William Blair & Company has been retained by Ahold to assist in divestment of its 204 convenience store chain owned by its U.S. subsidiary, Tops Markets.

January 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor and placement agent for The Holland Group, Inc. in the refinancing of the Company’s senior credit facility.

January 15, 2004 - William Blair & Company will host its first client luncheon of the year: "Quality Growth Stock Investing - An Independent Approach to Equity Research."

January 13, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that it initiated research coverage of five leaders in specialty and generic pharmaceuticals—IVAX Corporation, Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. with Outperform ratings and Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. and Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. with Market Perform ratings.

January 9, 2004 - William Blair & Company today announced that John R. Ettelson, president, also has been named chief executive officer (formerly he also held the position of chief operating officer); E. David Coolidge, III will remain vice chairman (formerly he also held the position of CEO) and Edgar D. Jannotta will remain the firm’s chairman.

January 9, 2004 - You may now sign up to receive email notifications of Spotlights as soon as they are posted. This means you will be among the first to learn of new investment banking transactions, initiations of research coverage, press releases, client events and other news and information. Click here to subscribe to News Alerts.

January 8, 2004 - William Blair & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor to nSpired Natural Foods in its sale to American Capital.

January 6, 2003 - William Blair & Company acted as financial advisor to Clark Retail Enterprises, Inc. in the sale of White Hen Pantry, Inc. to Angelo, Gordon & Company.