iWorld
Zee5 unveils new brand campaign to promote Rs 499 subscription plan
KOLKATA: As Zee5 keeps adding new content to its portfolio, it is also revising its annual subscription package to get more eyeballs. It has priced down its annual subscription to Rs 499 from Rs 999 for a limited period. To communicate the message of a stronger library, affordable pricing, it has unveiled a new brand campaign ‘Dekhtey Reh Jaogey’.
Zee5 has brought on board Sara Ali Khan, Amol Parashar as brand ambassadors for the campaign. The ‘Dekhtey Reh Jaogey’ campaign is targeted towards younger audiences aged between 18-34 to increase the share of mind, strengthening Zee5’s position as India’s OTT platform of choice. Following a 360-degree approach to target Indian entertainment lovers, Zee5 has planned a high-frequency campaign across TV, social media, and digital, which is slated to go live on Thursday.
“With the OTT upswing, today, millions of viewers are Binge-Watching content across smaller towns and cities, many of which are underserved in terms of content options and infrastructural set-up. With the ‘Dekhtey Reh Jaogey’ campaign, we want to make quality entertainment accessible to consumers, in the language of their choice, at the tap of a button, without price being a deterrent. Think of it as ‘Entertainment Inclusion’, our single biggest goal going forward,” Zee5 chief business officer Manish Kalra said.
The new brand ambassadors are elated as well to be associated with the leading OTT platform. “Zee5 is our very own homegrown OTT platform. With ‘Dekhtey Reh Jaogey’, the aim is to entertain everyone, especially during these difficult times. Additionally, for me, Kedarnath and Simmba are my firsts and therefore extra special both of us are on Zee5!”, shared Sara Ali Khan.
Amol Parashar chose this campaign because of the messaging it is giving out to people to stay home and be entertained without any interruption during this pandemic, he said.
“Zee5, our homegrown OTT platform has consistently presented intriguing and amazing content across genres. I started my journey with TVF and recently, the two content creators have joined hands, which shows the trust everyone has in this platform”, Parashar added further.
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.
