iWorld
Free Fire’s creator Total Gaming inks exclusive NFT partnership with Stan
Mumbai: Bengaluru-headquartered blockchain-based esports fan engagement platform Stan has announced entering into a strategic non-fungible token (NFT) partnership with the world’s most-followed and popular Garena Free Fire creator and Asian gaming creator – Total Gaming aka Ajju Bhai. The idea and objective behind this collaboration is to create an ecosystem for Total Gaming fans to engage with them optimally through the use of NFTs and other perks. As a part of this collaboration, Stan has now secured the exclusive rights to create and sell NFTs of Total Gaming. Furthermore, the partnership enables Stan users to get access to multiple interactions with Total Gaming, mainly through Instagram Shout-outs and Play-a-Match services curated by Stan.
Stan co-founder & COO Nauman Mulla said, “As a new-age fan engagement startup working with and for the gaming and esports community in India, Stan is committed to partner with the best talents in the industry, and also to empowering fans and bringing them closer to their favourite esports creators by using NFTs and the marvels of web3. And to that end, Total Gaming aka Ajju Bhai, being one of the most followed and popular esports creators in India and the world, was a must for us to tie-up with. We are delighted to announce that our engagement with Total Gaming going forward, shall enable Stan users over the short-term to get to interact and play with the creator, i.e., Total Gaming himself, whereas in the long run, we at Stan will be additionally hosting multiple mega fan fests and unlocking other valuable fan experiences for Total Gaming’s fans.”
Creator Ajay (Total Gaming) said, “I am excited to be a part of Stan’s journey. That will enable my audience to engage with me on a whole new level. With this collaboration, we are aiming to reach unprecedented and seamless levels of new-age engagement with my fans and followers.”
Notably, Total Gaming was started officially as a Youtube channel back in 2018 by Ajay (fondly known as Ajju Bhai), with the sole intent of entertaining and engaging with the gaming community on the Internet. Over the years, Total Gaming’s popularity and follower-base have skyrocketed exponentially, with its content entailing multiple games like Call of Duty Mobile, Minecraft, GTA5 and BGMI (formerly PUBG), apart from Free Fire content creation actively – which has been the major factor in driving the channel’s growth. As of date, Total Gaming has acquired over 42 million subscribers across multiple channels and has had over 6.5 billion collective views on Youtube, as well as over 3.4 million followers on Instagram.
On the other hand, Stan is a platform that allows fans to get a chance to collect, play, and trade the collectibles and NFTs of their favourite esports players and content creators, via which they will win various perks and rewards. Besides leading Indian Free Fire creators like Total Gaming, Stan has also already inked NFT-related partnerships with multiple leading Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) creators in the country.
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.
