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☆ This startup ditched plans to go public and sold to a private equity firm for $3 billion. Here's the pitch deck it used.
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

European private equity firm Hg expressed interest in buying a majority stake in the enterprise software company. For startups, private equity represents a deep-pocketed buyer willing to move quickly, pay a premium, and potentially help the business by tapping into complementary companies in their portfolio. AuditBoard is the kind of startup that private equity goes gaga over. Bidding warArnold then delivered the pitch deck that he had shown to public market investors just weeks before. Here's the 19-slide pitch deck that AuditBoard used to court a $3 billion buyout from private equity.

Persons: —, Scott Arnold, Morgan Stanley, Arnold, AuditBoard, Corporates, Daniel Kim, Jay Lee, It's, Fortune, Alex Johnson, Johnson, Morgan Stanley's, Roxanne Oulman's, Nic, Humphries — Hg's, Goldman Sachs, Humphries, he's Organizations: Service, Business, Battery Ventures, Tiger Global, Morgan Locations: Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Shutterfly, Paris

☆ Morgan Stanley just named its 3 favorite chip stocks after hosting a big tech conference
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Moore named Nvidia , Western Digital and Microchip Technology as the investment bank's favorite names coming out of the conference. Computer drive maker Western Digital is the firm's top pick. Western Digital announced in late October that it will split its hard disk drive and NAND memory businesses into two separate public companies. "Every semiconductor equipment company that we talked to highlighted that NAND spending will remain at minimal levels through CY24, even as DRAM spending and cutting edge fab spending hit new highs," he said. Western Digital shares are up 17.9% so far this year.

Persons: Morgan, Joseph Moore, Moore, Morgan Stanley's Organizations: Media, Telecom, Nvidia, Western Digital, Technology, Computer, Western, Digital Locations: CY25

☆ Elon Musk says X may stop showing the number of likes and reposts people get
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

X may stop showing the number of likes and reposts, says Elon Musk. Musk said he thought showing those details would clutter the platform, per Reuters. Musk previously removed article headlines for links posted on X before reversing his decision. AdvertisementX, formerly Twitter, might stop showing the number of likes and reposts people get, says Elon Musk. In August, Musk said that X would remove all article headlines for links posted on the platform.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, —, Morgan Organizations: Reuters, Service, Business Insider

☆ Finally, Bob Iger gets it: People want to watch good movies
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewDisney CEO Bob Iger is finally listening to the people's demands and focusing on quality films — but don't expect that to mean Marvel movies are going away. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. "Quantity can be actually a negative when it comes to quality, and I think that's exactly what happened," Iger said during an earnings call in November. AdvertisementHowever, Iger also said that the company is scaling down on the MCU and releasing fewer movies. Representatives for Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.

Persons: —, Bob Iger, Morgan Stanley, Iger, you've, he's, Nolan, Oppenheimer, it's Organizations: Service, Morgan, Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Business, Disney, Marvel Locations: San Francisco

☆ Winter is coming for 'Game of Thrones' freeloaders thanks to Max's password-sharing crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Camilo Fonseca | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewThe days of watching "Game of Thrones" for free on your brother-in-law's Max account are numbered. Max is the latest streaming service to announce a crackdown on password-sharing. AdvertisementHe specifically referenced Netflix's password-sharing crackdown as one that had been "extremely" successful. Following Netflix's lead, Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ (all owned by Disney) also said earlier this year that they would limit password-sharing. Max accounted for a scant 1.3% of streaming viewing in January, behind YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and others, according to Nielsen.

Persons: —, Max, Perrette, Morgan Stanley, Nielsen Organizations: Service, Bloomberg, Warner Bros, Netflix, Hulu, Disney, Business, Discovery, Morgan, Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, ESPN, Max, YouTube, HBO Locations: Hulu

☆ CNN CEO Chris Licht has some thoughts on media's lack of diversity
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Trisha Gopal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A recent Atlantic profile of CNN CEO Chris Licht detailed problems within the network under his leadership. In the article, Licht shared his thoughts on diversity in the media industryIn recent years, CNN has come under fire for not promoting talent of color on primetime TV. In a revealing profile published by the Atlantic on Friday, CNN's CEO Chris Licht shared his thoughts on the lack of diversity in the media industry — and why he believes media has a misguided idea of what it means to be diverse. Alberta commented that Licht sought to "recruit reporters who are deeply religious and reporters who grew up on food stamps and reporters who own guns." When pressed by Alberta to elaborate on why, Licht responded, "They have a different relationship with their need with the police."

Persons: Chris Licht, Licht, CNN's, Tim Alberta, David Zaslav, Zaslav, doesn't, Donald Trump, Kaitlan Collins, Jean Carroll, Brian Stelter, Don Lemon, Laura Coates, Coates Organizations: CNN, Morning, Atlantic, Harvard, Republicans, Warner Media Discovery, Technology, Media, Telecom Conference Locations: Alberta

☆ YouTube's subscription business is already a third the size of Netflix
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

YouTube's subscription revenue is a third the size of Netflix's, according to asset management firm AllianceBernstein. Asset management firm AlliacneBernstein did the math and noticed that YouTube's last four quarters of ad revenue was $29 billion, which puts its subscriptions revenue at $11 billion. YouTube's ad revenue had declined for three consecutive quarters, dipping 2.6% to $6.7 billion in the last quarter. "We really want to be a platform for all things video," Mohan said. Bolstering the creator aspect around NFL Sunday Ticket will also help YouTube's ad business, Mohan said.

☆ YouTube's top exec Neal Mohan revealed its total revenues were $40 billion last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

YouTube's revenue last year was $40 billion mostly from ads, its chief Neal Mohan said at a recent conference. Newly appointed YouTube chief Neal Mohan said the company's revenue was $40 billion in revenue over the last twelve months. He declined to split out YouTube's revenue between ads and subscription products, like YouTube TV, Premium, and Music. YouTube's ad revenue had declined for three consecutive quarters, dipping 2.6% to $6.7 billion in the last quarter. Bolstering the creator aspect around NFL Sunday Ticket will also help YouTube's ad business, Mohan said.

☆ CNN getting more Republicans on-air as it seeks political diversity
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Helen Coster | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

We need to show both sides of every issue.”Advertisers “don’t want to be part of an advocacy network” but they do want to be part of a news network, Zaslav said. CNN has taken heat for its broadcast of a May 10 town hall with former Republican President Donald Trump. On Wednesday CNN chief international anchor Christiane Amanpour publicly criticized the town hall in remarks at Columbia Journalism School, the first of the network’s on-air talent to do so. “I still respectfully disagree with allowing Donald Trump to appear in that particular format,” Amanpour said, according to the CNN “Reliable Sources” newsletter Wednesday night. The Trump town hall attracted 3.3 million viewers, making CNN the most-watched cable news network that evening, according to Nielsen data.

☆ TikTok is quietly moving in on record labels' territory and insiders say its ambitions could end up 'pissing off' music partners
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Its music ambitions could ruffle feathers at record labels and publishers — unless it pays out. TikTok's app regularly sparks trends that help songs go viral, making it a favorite of marketers at major labels and independents. TikTok works closely with record labels and artists on promotional efforts like livestreamed concerts, in-person performances, and private listening parties with TikTok stars. Spotify has maintained a tenuous relationship with the labels over the years as it's sought to balance profit margins while splitting revenue with artists, labels, and publishers. Still, even as record labels and publishers push TikTok to pay more to music rights holders, they're investing more in the app.

☆ 'Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 3' had best second weekend box office hold for MCU in 5 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

In its second week in theaters, the director's "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. Most blockbuster films' ticket sales drop between 50% and 70% from the opening weekend to the second week. It is the third-best second week fall of any MCU film since 2008, just behind "Thor," which slipped 47.2% during its second week in 2011. For comparison, the first "Guardians of the Galaxy" film tallied $773.3 million globally during its run in 2014 and "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. The strong box office for "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.

☆ DC Studios' future begins with Marvel's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

And, for once, the success of a Marvel film could bode well for the future of its longtime adversary. On the theatrical side, DC Studios has announced five new projects that will roll out starting in 2025 with Gunn's own "Superman: Legacy." "And I think Marvel Studios, sooner rather than later, needs to tell us what's going on with Spider-Man." He sees this as the result of predictable plotlines within the genre that are repeated across both studios' films. Marvel Studios

☆ These stocks are table-pounding buys as bank fears linger, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Wall Street analysts unveiled a slew of must-own stocks this week even as bank and macroeconomic worries permeate the market. While some investors might be distracted by the ongoing financial turmoil, analysts say there are plenty of quality buying opportunities. They include: TrueCar, Apple, Progressive, Academy Sports and Prosperity Bancshares. Apple Morgan Stanley is doubling down on Apple shares. Apple shares are up almost 20% since the start of the year.

We're buying 40 shares of Disney (DIS) at roughly $94.50 each. A cash position of nearly 9% provides us with the ability to find something to buy, and that's what we're doing Friday afternoon. DIS YTD mountain Disney (DIS) YTD performance Iger's strategy was crafted around three main features. Michael M. Santiago | Getty ImagesWe're buying 40 shares of Disney (DIS) at roughly $94.50 each. Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Disney (DIS) YTD performance

☆ Disney’s Robert Iger Hints at Raising Streaming Prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Robbie Whelan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger revealed some details of his plan to achieve profitability in the company’s streaming business, hinting that Disney could raise prices further and begin licensing its streaming content to competitors. Speaking at Morgan Stanley ’s Media and Telecom Conference in San Francisco on Thursday, Mr. Iger said he was “extremely bullish” on Disney+, the company’s flagship streaming platform, but predicted that subscriber growth would slow as the industry pivots to a focus on profits.

☆ Disney reconsiders making content for others under Bob Iger
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 9 (Reuters) - Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) Chief Executive Bob Iger Thursday said the studio may resume making films and television shows for its rivals, marking a departure from recent years, when its production resources were harnessed to launch and grow its marquee Disney+ steaming service. Iger told the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference in San Francisco that streaming services have traditionally relied on a volume of fresh content to attract subscribers. "As we look to reduce the content that we're creating for our own platforms, there probably are opportunities to license to third parties," Iger said. "For a while, that was something we couldn't possibly do because we were so favoring our own streaming platforms. Iger returned to Disney in November, less than a year after he retired, as the entertainment company sought to boost investor confidence and profits at its streaming media unit.

☆ Roku will sell its first company-made smart TVs exclusively at Best Buy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Noah Sheidlower | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A video sign displays the logo for Roku Inc, a Fox-backed video streaming firm, in Times Square after the company's IPO at the Nasdaq Market in New York, September 28, 2017. Roku said Thursday it will sell the first smart TVs designed and made by the company exclusively at Best Buy and the electronic retailer's website. Roku's hardware items, including streaming players and sound-amplifying devices, have often been the money-losing parts of the business. Roku CEO Anthony Wood told CNBC in January he is optimistic about selling the new TVs. The new TVs will feature Roku's voice remote pro, Bluetooth private listening, automatic brightness and local dimming.

☆ Disney CEO Bob Iger says it's time for 'newness' from Marvel movies
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

After a fourth Thor movie and a third standalone Ant-Man film, even Disney CEO Bob Iger wants something new out Marvel. "Sequels typically worked well for us," Iger said during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference on Thursday. "There's nothing in any way inherently off in terms of the Marvel brand," Iger said. Additionally, the amount of time between Disney+ Marvel series has grown. A new Marvel series has not debuted since the final episodes of "She-Hulk" launched in early October.

☆ Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch dismisses $1.6 billion defamation case revelations as ‘noise’
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan Murdoch on Thursday dismissed the revelations from Dominion Voting Systems’ $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News as “noise,” throwing his support behind the right-wing talk channel in his first comments since the case enveloped the company in major scandal. Among the thousands of pages of documents released in the case include repeated statements from Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch rejecting conspiracy theories about Dominion. However, Dominion said its position is that “confidential treatment of these materials is not warranted” based on case law standards. Filings in the case reviewed by CNN have included numerous redactions passages, including when Fox executives and personalities are quoted. The significant redactions have raised eyebrows about what Fox News is trying to prevent from being made public.

☆ Disney boss Bob Iger talks about the future of Marvel, ‘Star Wars,’ ESPN, and Hulu
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —Bob Iger’s vision for Disney is coming into greater focus. The CEO touched on a broad range of subjects, including Disney+, Marvel, “Star Wars,” and Hulu, among others. “We’re going to turn back to the Avengers franchise, but with a whole set of different Avengers,” Iger said. ► Imperative to be “very careful” with “Star Wars”: Iger said that the company is also being “very careful” in its approach to the “Star Wars” franchise. “In our zeal to grow profits, we may have been a little bit too aggressive about some of our pricing,” Iger said.

☆ After a brutal year, RBC says investors should buy these 13 top tech names to get a head start on a recovery in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-27 | by ( Marley Jay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

In a rough year for markets, tech stocks have been notably poor performers. That's affected growth rates for many companies — and that, too, worked out unfavorably for tech. The event featured conversations with more than 100 executives from industries, including software, internet, advertising technology, media, and payments processing. One comment in particular about what investors want to see from software companies summed up the general tone for most of tech. The following stocks are the top picks of RBC analysts covering tech stocks.

☆ How TikTok and the music industry are bound to each other as 'frenemies,' even as they battle over licensing
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-17 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

All of these promotional functions have benefited the music industry, boosting streams on platforms like Spotify or Apple Music and helping artists grow their fan bases. The company filed a US trademark application in May for a potential music-streaming product called "TikTok Music," Insider first reported. Licensing negotiations to either expand Resso or introduce TikTok Music into other markets are underway, a person with direct knowledge of the process told Insider. Licensing negotiations are nearly constant in the music industryByteDance and TikTok already have existing agreements in place with major record labels and publishers like Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, the National Music Publishers' Association, and ICE. Last quarter, YouTube's head of music wrote that the company paid out $6 billion to the music industry over a 12-month period.

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