ACG New York Hosts ‘Disruptive’ Media/Telecom Event

ACG New York’s Tech Media and Telecom Conference on May 24 was full of pull-no-punches panels, acid moments about market disruption and a look at opportunities within a fast-changing market.

Following are some insights from the event, with themes ranging from the growing demand for more children’s content to the likelihood that New York may soon give rise to startups with unicorn valuations:

1. Deal Volumes are Down: If It Gets Done, It’s about Cost Savings

“Sellers still have a 2015 mindset,” said Jason Sobol, senior managing director, Evercore. “But buyers—whether they’re strategic or financial—are looking at uncertainty in the marketplace and pricing that in.”

2. Mercenary Approach: It’s Important to Be an ‘Arms Dealer’ 

Andrew Vogel, a partner with Zelnick Media Capital (see the May issue’s  A Qualified Opinion) said buyers often look for an “arms dealer,” a company in the ecosystem who’ll benefit no matter who wins or loses in the market.

3. Brands and Content: New Ecosystems Are Needed

Entirely new content production ecosystems will be needed to facilitate consumer engagement, said Kenneth Harrell, co-founder of Pharus Advisors. //