iWorld
Airtel appoints new director of marketing & connected homes CEO
MUMBAI: Bharti Airtel has appointed Siddharth Sharma as director of marketing and CEO of connected homes. Sharma, who assumed the dual role in December 2024, brings nearly two decades of experience in the telecommunications and aviation sectors.
In his role as director of marketing (CMO), he will spearhead customer-led growth strategy, marketing initiatives, product innovation, brand management, and corporate communications across Airtel’s diverse portfolio. His remit encompasses mobile, broadband, TV, enterprise, and digital services for both B2C and B2B segments.
Simultaneously, as CEO of connected homes, Sharma will lead what is currently the fastest-growing category in the telecom sector, with full profit and loss accountability. He will oversee strategy development and execution, operational excellence, and innovation to scale the business, whilst managing cross-functional teams across technology, product, and go-to-market initiatives.
Prior to his current appointment, Sharma served as CEO of Airtel’s DTH Business from October 2023 to December 2024, where he led Airtel Digital TV with full P&L responsibility. He previously held the position of chief marketing officer at Airtel from November 2022 to October 2023.
His international experience includes a three-year stint at Singtel in Singapore, where he served as head of mobile marketing & analytics from 2016 to 2019. During his tenure, he managed a P&L exceeding £1.2 billion and led a team of over 75 professionals, including nine directors.
His achievements at Singtel included launching GOMO, a digital-only brand, and establishing a world-class data and intelligence practice.
His career history also includes various leadership positions at Airtel between 2008 and 2016, including senior vice president of marketing and head of post-paid Business. Sharma began his career in the aviation sector with Jet Airways, before moving to BPL Mobile, where he served as manager of corporate sales.
The appointment comes as Airtel continues to strengthen its position in the rapidly evolving telecommunications market, with a particular focus on connected homes and digital services. Industry analysts view this dual appointment as a strategic move to integrate marketing excellence with operational leadership in one of the company’s fastest-growing segments.
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.
