iWorld
Wynk Music users win exclusive chance to meet Ed Sheeran
Mumbai: Wynk Music, a music streaming app by downloads and daily active users organised the only contest in India which gave its users the opportunity to win an exclusive tete-a-tete with international artist Ed Sheeran. The meeting was a dream come true for his fans who got to spend time with their favourite artist and share their stories and memories with them.
The winners jammed with Ed on his chart-topper song ‘Afterglow’ in an exclusive never-before experience. The three winners for the contest were Keegan Farreira, Sai Kiran Kilaru and Ronitbunty Khetwani. They won from amongst thousands of fans who participated in the contest to show their love for the artist, the winners made handmade customized gifts for Ed and presented it to him themselves.
Organized as a culmination to Wynk’s campaign that encouraged users to participate in “Ed Sheeran Trivia Marathon” by answering questions on the global artist and streaming his songs on the app, the event was in line with Wynk’s continued endeavor to bring its users closer to their favorite artist. These winners answered questions around Ed and heard his songs for hours daily.
Taking the celebration, a notch higher, Wynk also released an exclusive message from Ed Sheeren for select users who participated in the content but could not win the catch-up with him. In the video, Ed thanked his fans for taking part in the contest and assured that he would be coming back to India for more contests in the future.
Wynk has also released a video with the highlights of the heartfelt conversations between Ed and his fans from the meet-up, across its social media platforms.
Ed Sheeran was in the country as part of his Mathematics Tour. During the meeting, he warmly greeted his fans and thanked the winners for participating in the contest wholeheartedly.
Enabling artists to also connect with their fans and strengthen their bonds with them, the innovative fan-artists tete-a-tete has been a huge hit amongst Wynk users. The brand has spearheaded numerous initiatives in the past to provide similar unique and memorable experiences to users and brought them closer to their favorite artists, fostering deeper connections between fans and artists. In February, Wynk Music had organised an exclusive “Coffee date with Jubin Nautiyal” and made five of his top fans meet the artist on Valentine’s Day.
Over the past year, Wynk has curated exclusive opportunities for fans to meet diverse and renowned artists, ranging from including internationally acclaimed DJ, Martin Garrix to popular Indian Singer, King. Additionally, fans also got a chance to meet South Superstar Darshan and Telugu award-winning superstar Nani as a part of such innovative campaigns. As part of Wynk Rewind 2023, several artists also showed appreciation to their fans through video messages acknowledging the constant love and admiration shown by them.
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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.
