Private equity activity helped drive a growing number of deals in the marketing, advertising and digital media industries, according to a new study.

The number of p.e. and venture capital firms completing at least three mergers and acquisitions transactions in the first half more than tripled compared to the same period last year, according to investment bank Petsky Prunier. According to the report, private equity firms continue to invest selectively in the area, led by Hellman & Friedman’s $2.4 billion deal to take Getty Images private.

All told, the number of M&A deals in marketing, advertising and digital media rose 21% during the first half, while transaction dollar volume fell 26%.