iWorld
CAMM Summit 2022: ‘Technology no longer just a vehicle to transmit content’
Mumbai: Technology has evolved from a support system to an enabler and finally a driver of content consumption in the modern media landscape. Content and technology have become inextricably intertwined with the role of technology becoming more important in the media industry. At the Content-Tech, Ad-tech, Mar-Tech and More (CAMM) Summit and Exhibition 2022 organised by IndianTelevision.com co-powered by PubMatic and industry partner Adjust, the publishers, technology partners and marketers were part of a panel discussion on ‘managing content infrastructure to create a seamless content experience.’
The session was led by CupShup co-founder Sidharth Singh, who was joined by Network18 Media and Investments group chief technology officer Rajat Nigam, Rezolve chief executive officer – India Sunder Madakshira, Korra founder and CEO Gaurav Nabh, Yotta Infrastructure vertical business head Jollydeep Kaur, and Rackspace Technology managing director Asia Pacific/Japan Sandeep Bhargava.
Network18’s Rajat Nigam started the discussion by highlighting the constant pressure on publishers to keep innovating in terms of content. “Creativity is a continuous challenge and we need to keep being different. Society has become a co-producer of content. This has opened the field up to multiple players. Our focus is on two areas which are increasing creativity and reducing costs,” he said.
Rackspace Technology’s Sandeep Bhargava spoke about tools that help brands control costs and innovate by leveraging data. “We use the term data gravity. Similar to how a denser planet has a greater gravitational pull, the more data that you have, the more costs build up and it becomes difficult to make sense of it. At Rackspace, we have a media accelerator that helps our clients optimise data, lowers the cost of keeping data and finds ways to monetise it,” he shared
The discussion veered towards technical integration in content and dos and don’ts for marketers. “My first advice is to only look at technology as an enabler. It’s not about which technology is best but how you use it,” explained Korra’s Gaurav Nabh. A lot of clients ask me why we’re missing out on NFTs, metaverse or any new technology. But the question they should ask themselves is whether this technology is relevant to their business and is generating RoI.”
Over the years the perception of technology has changed. “Technology is not just a vehicle for transmitting content but it can actually help the industry generate better insights and create better content,” remarked Yotta Infrastructure’s Jollydeep Kaur.
Rezolve’s Sunder Madakshira observed that evolving technology must also be accompanied by better metrics to understand consumer behaviour. He noted, “Earlier, marketers used to measure performance in terms of market share. Then it became share of wallet. Today, we talk about share of attention because there is so much content out there that it has created clutter. Similarly, when we talk about revenues, we no longer speak in terms of ownership but in terms of subscription.”
In a subscription economy, it’s no longer relevant to look at app downloads as a metric for success, according to Madakshira. “There’s no point if the app has become a dormant platform. The focus then should be on retaining attention,” he affirmed.
Watch the panel discussion here:
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
