Monitronics

History

Monitronics International was founded in Dallas in 1994 to provide alarm monitoring services to U.S. customers and businesses, as well as financing, technical training and product solutions to dealers within the industry. It was funded mostly by ABRY Partners until it was sold to Ascent Media in December 2010. As of 2015, it was the second largest security alarm monitoring company in the United States, behind ADT.

In 2013, MONI purchased Security Networks, a network of about 225 security dealers, for $507 million to diversify its service offerings and enter into the developing and complementary DIY home service category.

In 2015, Monitronics acquired LiveWatch, a Kansas-based company that sold security alarm and home automation systems for DIY installation. The company was founded in 2002 under the name Safemart by Chris Johnson, a former Kansas paramedic. Initially, SafeMart distributed home security products from third-party manufacturers. In 2010, Johnson hired CEO Brad Morehead. By 2015, the company had grown to have 180 employees and had around 200,000 customers in the United States, and was acquired by Monitronics for $67 million.

In 2016, Monitronics International changed its name to Moni; along with it, its logo and other style elements were changed.

In 2018, Brinks re-entered the home security business through a trademark licensing deal, re-creating the "Brinks Home Security" brand.

The trademark deal was done with Moni, a US private company headquartered in Farmers Branch, Texas that sells home security company systems that can be self-installed or professionally installed.

In February 2018, Moni exclusively licensed its trademarks and businesses to Brinks, which resulted in a rebranding of Moni and LiveWatch as Brinks Home Security.

In 2019, Monitronics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

In June 2020, Moni acquired Protect America for $15 million in upfront costs.

On May 15, 2023, Monitronics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in four years.

References

References

1. (3 March 2020). "DI People: Cinemark, Brinks Home Security, Medical City Children's Make Leadership Announcements". D Magazine.
2. "Monitronics Revenue 2017-2020 {{!".
3. Romano, Jay. (April 1, 2007). "Security Systems: Your Eyes and Ears". The New York Times.
4. (Dec 17, 2010). "Ascent Media Corporation Acquires Monitronics". The Wall Street Journal.
5. Bosch, Rodney. (31 July 2013). "Analysts Are Bullish on Monitronics' $507M Deal for Security Networks".
6. (March 24, 2015). "Industry giant buys Evanston home security firm for $67 million". Crain's Chicago Business.
7. (April 16, 2013). "An Orbitz for Home Security". Crain's Chicago Business.
8. "Monitronics changes its name".
9. (28 February 2018). "MONI CEO on Bringing Brinks Branding Back". Security Sales & Integration.
10. (February 26, 2018). "BRIEF-Brink's Announces Brand Licensing Agreement With Moni Smart...". Reuters.
11. (July 1, 2019). "Firm behind Brinks Home Security files voluntary bankruptcy to restructure debt".
12. "Brinks Home Security Announces Bulk Acquisition of Residential Alarm Monitoring Contracts".
13. (May 15, 2023). "Monitronics files for bankruptcy again ahead of 2024 maturities".