NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 08/27/09 -- Marlin & Associates New York LLC, the boutique investment banking firm specializing in acquisitions and divestitures of U.S. and international middle-market technology, information and business services firms, today announced that The M&A Advisor has named the firm a finalist for three of its Global M&A Awards, including Global Investment Banking Firm of the Year (Europe).

"The M&A Advisor is very pleased to introduce a new awards program to recognize international deals, dealmakers and firms," said Roger Aguinaldo, founder and chief executive of The M&A Advisor. "The trend toward global deals has been growing steadily, and because more than half the deals completed every year are outside the U.S., it made sense for us to broaden our focus and recognize important global transactions."

Nominations for the Global M&A Awards are based on creativity and resourcefulness, persistence, business savvy and value added. Additionally, "Deal of the Year" awards are based on importance, difficulty, unique characteristics and industry impact of each transaction.

This year, Marlin & Associates is a finalist for:

--  Global Investment Banking Firm of the Year (Europe)
--  US-European Cross-Border Deal of the Year
--  Deal of the Year (Europe)
    

Other finalists include Houlihan Lokey, The Blackstone Group Corporate Advisory Services, BNP Paribas and Robert W. Baird & Co.

"We've built a practice around the idea that our market is not defined geographically," said Ken Marlin, founder and Managing Partner of Marlin & Associates. "As a result, over the past few years we've led transactions involving participants from seven countries. About a third of our clients have been based in Europe. It is an honor to be recognized for these international activities. We believe that our blend of operational and financial experience, combined with our broad international reach and track record of success, puts us in a formidable position to advise a wide range of middle-market technology-enabled firms," Marlin added.

The M&A Advisor recognizes top deal-making professionals serving the $10 million - $1 billion (sales) market in fields such as investment banking, private equity, legal services and accounting. The finalists will be judged by an independent panel and award recipients will be announced in September.

About Marlin & Associates

Founded in 2002, Marlin & Associates New York LLC ("M&A") 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, DC and Toronto, Canada.