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OTTera & ThinkAnalytics partner to amplify personalisation and revenue
Mumbai: OTTera, an end-to-end OTT and FAST channel solutions provider, has announced its strategic partnership with ThinkAnalytics, a global leader in advanced content discovery and viewer engagement solutions. Through this collaboration, OTTera will integrate ThinkAnalytics’ ThinkFAST AI scheduler and ThinkAdvertising into its software, empowering customers to unlock new levels of operational efficiency and revenue growth across FAST channels and OTT apps.
By harnessing ThinkAnalytics’ cutting-edge AI technologies, OTTera will revolutionize content scheduling and advertising strategies, delivering unparalleled value to its customers. ThinkAnalytics’ ThinkFAST AI scheduler utilizes sophisticated algorithms to optimize content placement, ensuring that viewers receive the most relevant and engaging programming tailored to their preferences. ThinkFAST’s integration will personalize the viewing experience for OTTera’s users based on their demographics, preferences, and previous viewing behavior.
Moreover, with ThinkAdvertising, OTTera will leverage audience intelligence and content understanding to deliver hyper-targeted advertisements, maximizing revenue opportunities for clients. By combining audience insights with personalized advertising strategies, OTTera will enhance the viewing experience while driving substantial revenue growth for content providers and advertisers alike.
“Aligning ThinkAnalytics’ deep capabilities with OTTera’s strategic offerings across OTT and FAST yields a rich toolkit for publishers to maximize yield from their libraries, quickly scale out targeted FAST channels and end user experiences within applications and beyond, all with an eye towards discovery, engagement, monetization and retention,” said OTTera CTO Craig McEldowney.
“I am delighted that ThinkAnalytics is forming this partnership with OTTera. The ThinkAnalytics product set integrated into OTTera’s applications will bring huge efficiencies and value to OTTera’s customers. Meeting at the NAB Show was the perfect opportunity to realize our synergies and agree terms to our collaboration,” said ThinkAnalytics CEO Marc Aldrich.
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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.
