Bain Capital, Romney's Former Firm, To Invest In Ryan Seacrest Media

What do presidential candidate Mitt Romney and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest have in common?

No, Romney's recent singing performance hasn't landed him a spot on the FOX talent show, but it looks like his former employer has taken a keen interest in the business dealings of Idol's host.

Private-equity investment companies Bain Capital LLC, where Romney served as CEO in the 1990s, and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP have committed up to $300 million to Ryan Seacrest Media to invest in and develop new media projects, Bloomberg reports. Romney's relationship with Bain has been a controversial topic on the campaign trail; the front-runner for the Republican nomination has claimed that he created jobs as CEO of the company, while critics have accused him of the opposite.

Though Romney's former employer and Seacrest's company may seem like odd bedfellows, investing in the TV personality's empire is likely a good move for Bain.

Seacrest "has proven to be smart in leveraging his celebrity into real business success and opportunity," Mike LaSalle, a Shamrock Capital Advisors partner told PEHUB.com. "Not every person can do that."

While such aptitude may indeed be rare, the crossover from reality TV star to entrepreneur is becoming an increasingly popular one. Established entrepreneurs like Donald Trump have made the leap to reality TV through shows like The Apprentice, for example, but it's not just Seacrest who's proven the crossover can be made in the opposite direction, as well.

Indeed, the star of one of Seacrest's own productions, Kim Kardashian, may be one of the most successful examples. After the success of her reality shows, Kim, alongside sisters Kourtney and Khloe have developed not only a lasting personal brand, but have leveraged that success in the business world. Most recently, the sisters caused a buzz when they started promoting their denim clothing line Kardashian Kollection with topless ads.

Another reality TV star-turned-entrepreneur is Chris "Drama" Pfaff, most famous for being assistant to skateboarder and businessman Rob Dyrdek on the MTV shows Rob and Big and Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory. Last year, his clothing line Young & Reckless sold out at major retailers, even as he developed his own music label, Causin Drama Productions .

Comments

[slots23]

11:14 PM on 02/01/2012

Ryan,
I just got off the phone with Kathy Griffin.... She wants you to stop her by her house tomorrow and pick up a crucifix she's making for you tonight. So... when you have your meeting with Romney's people, you have some protection.
Also, Kathy's advice was, "Stay away from the Romney boys. Especially when there's a full moon."

[slots23]

11:08 PM on 02/01/2012

I can see it now: Seacrest sinks to a new low!
First - Loses virginity to Merv Griffin just to get a job in Hollywood.
Successful move on Seacrest's part. Congratulations! (I would have done the same thing.
I think Merv would've been a lot of fun in bed.)

But...... Ryan Ryan Ryan...... sleeping with the Anit-Christ? A man that has no principles.... no values?
Unlike Merv Griffin who had values and a moral compass.
The only thing I can say, Ryan. is, "Run like hell!! You don't need the money."
You are sleeping with the devil.
Signing a contract with him is surely a fate worse than death.
I see no good coming out of this venture, Ryan.
I just hope your beard, Kathy Griffin, has enough holy water to sprinkle on you.

[lkwms8253]

12:32 PM on 02/01/2012

Like Mitt Romney I am not concerned with the very poor. There is a SAFETY NET for them. You choose to be poor in this country. We have had 4 generations of "social welfare, housing, medical,jobs, education and food stamp programs" spending into the trillions yet we have poor people still. I don't think throwing any more money at that problem will fix it. Lots of immigrants and those born into poverty have thrived in the U.S. Time to cut the gravy train off. Go get a job at Burger King or wherever and take care of yourself.

[Keith E]

02:26 PM on 02/01/2012

Gravy train? Its disturbing how heartless people have become.

[kevinbr38]

12:07 PM on 02/01/2012

Wait until Kathy Giffords hears about this.
I didn't realize that Seacrest had his hand in The Kardashian Pie as well.
Now I know that my extreme dislike of the guy is justified.

[susanbsbi]

11:55 AM on 02/01/2012

Seacrest motto is Money Greed

[ricchh]

11:37 AM on 02/01/2012

I am surprised they would invest in a g ay guy.

[JessWonderin]

11:44 AM on 02/01/2012

money . . the ultimate socail engineering tool . . . .

[judgematty]

11:30 AM on 02/01/2012

BOYCOTT SEACREST!!!!!

[lkwms8253]

12:35 PM on 02/01/2012

Boycott Socialism and Wealth re-distribution!

[judgematty]

01:51 PM on 02/01/2012

Nope.