iWorld
Athiya Shetty collaborates with LehLah to transform the future of social commerce
Mumbai: LehLah, a pioneering fashion- tech platform, has announced its partnership with the actor and fashion icon- Athiya Shetty. This collaboration signifies a pivotal moment for LehLah in its mission to revolutionize the social commerce space, giving customers a chance to shop directly from influencer’s posts on social media.
LehLah is a distinctive platform tailored for fashion enthusiasts, where they can explore posts curated by their favourite creators and shop the looks with the click of a button. This ends the herculean task of having to rummage around trying to figure out where the influencer got his/her outfit from. It provides for a seamless social shopping experience- right from discovering and exploring, to shopping.
Furthermore, LehLah helps creators monetize their content and earn a commission on each sale generated through their posts. In this manner, LehLah helps all three communities- influencers, brands, and customers.
The choice to partner with Shetty, a celebrated figure in the world of fashion, is a strategic move that perfectly aligns with LehLah’s vision. Athiya is renowned for her unique and authentic style, often setting trends that resonate with fashion enthusiasts.
Shetty’s authenticity and natural inclination to fashion blends harmoniously with LehLah’s mission to empower creators to present their genuine and real recommendations. Together, they aim to simplify the shopping experience for users who want to shop from the creators they adore.
LehLah founder Ashna Ruia expressed her excitement, stating, “Our partnership with Athiya Shetty is a game-changer for LehLah. Her celebrated style, and real personality is what LehLah embodies. We hope that this partnership helps solidify our position in the fashion-tech market.”
Shetty also conveyed her enthusiasm about the collaboration, saying, “I am delighted to be a part of this collaboration with LehLah. The concept presents a tremendous opportunity for the Indian audience, offering users a way to shop directly from what they see on social media.”
This collaboration between LehLah and Athiya Shetty promises to redefine the social commerce landscape, providing a more accessible, engaging, and rewarding experience for both creators and consumers, thus offering an exciting new dimension to the world of fashion.
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.
