Peter Cohen to Join Blackstone As Head of Global Media Advisory Practice

New York – The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) today announced that Peter Cohen has agreed to join the firm effective September 8, 2009 as a Senior Managing Director in its Corporate Advisory Group and as Head of its Global Media Practice. Mr. Cohen was formerly a Managing Director in the Media Group at JP Morgan. Commenting on the appointment, John Studzinski, Global Head of Blackstone’s Advisory Group, said: “The media sector today is undergoing its most profound transformation since the invention of the printing press. Peter’s exemplary track record and deep expertise will be invaluable to our media clients as they grapple with these changes to their industry.”

Mr. Cohen added: “I am delighted to be joining Blackstone and working with such a talented group of professionals. This is a unique opportunity to provide independent advice to clients seeking to navigate a transforming economic and business landscape.”

Peter Cohen has almost 20 years of investment banking experience, having spent the last 15 years at JP Morgan, including the last 10 years in the Media group. There he led the firm’s publishing and information services sector and participated in many of the most noteworthy M&A and financing transactions in that space. This included advising Forbes Media on the sale of a stake in the company to Elevation Partners, Sam Zell on his acquisition of Tribune, Advance/Newhouse on restructuring its investment in Discovery Communications, and Dow Jones on its acquisition of Marketwatch.com among others.

Prior to joining JP Morgan, Mr. Cohen worked in the Mergers & Acquisitions department at Merrill Lynch and for Representative (now Senator) Charles E. Schumer. Mr. Cohen graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in History and received his MBA from Columbia Business School.

About Blackstone

Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, the companies we advise and the broader global economy. We do this through the commitment of our extraordinary people and flexible capital. Our alternative asset management businesses include the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, creditoriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles (CLOs) and closed-end mutual funds. The Blackstone Group also provides various financial advisory services, including mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services.

Further information is available at www.blackstone.com/.

Contact
Public Affairs
The Blackstone Group
New York
212.583.5263