iWorld
7 Top Video Trends to Watch Out for in 2020
In a world where capturing consumers’ attention is getting harder, and customer acquisition is getting more expensive, video is one of the best ways for brands to communicate with their target audience. With the new year rolling in, now is a great time for brands to rethink their video strategy and take it to the next level in order to maximize conversion. Here are a few exciting video trends that we believe will be game-changers in 2020 and beyond:
Personalized Videos
Personalized videos include the viewer’s name and other details in the storyline, enabling brands to deliver communication that is highly relevant and targeted. Such videos leverage CRM data to help build stronger relationships with customers and enable effective generation of qualified leads.
Interactive Videos
Interactive videos put viewers in the driver’s seat, enabling them to make choices as they watch. Infused with quizzes, opinion polls, treasure hunts and more, interactive videos pique viewers’ interest and help build brand loyalty. Since they have higher recall value, they result in better conversion rates.
Shoppable Videos
Making videos shoppable allows brands to shorten the consumer journey and increase last-mile conversion. Being able to choose products and add them to a cart is not only a ‘wow’ factor for viewers, it also empowers them with greater convenience and ease of access.
Vertical Videos
With smart phones becoming the de-facto device among millennials, creating videos for viewing in portrait (rather than landscape) mode is the latest megatrend. As influencer marketing gains popularity, and brands cash in on the FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) factor, vertical videos are fast becoming the norm across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram.
360-Degree Videos
360-degree videos literally provide a larger than life viewing experience, by capturing the action from all directions! This innovative technique offers an immersive, interactive viewing experience that results in higher video completion rates.
User Generated Content (UGC)
Today, brands are increasingly listening to their audience and tapping into the stories that people are co-creating. UGC videos are now a vital part of brands’ community building efforts. They inspire greater trust than brand sponsored content, are shared more widely and require very little investment.
Silent Videos
Silent videos, which primarily rely on visuals for messaging, are currently trending on social media platforms. The convenience they offer is clear – people can watch these videos whenever, wherever without missing anything. Whether they are in a busy public place (like an airport/metro), or in a quiet area (like a hospital), they can enjoy an uninterrupted viewing experience.
As the lines between content and commerce blur, brands must adopt new trends and technologies for video marketing. These can help deliver dynamic, compelling viewing experiences which build brand love, drive transactions and increase ROI. For best results, brands should partner with a one-stop video agency that offers both high quality creative services along and cutting-edge technology.
(The author is vice president, Brands Services, Prime Focus Technologies. The views expressed are his own and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them.)
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.
