Articles Archives - RockWater

“RockWater is my oracle for the media and commerce world. [They] help me think many, many moves ahead of most players…”

– KEVIN KURTZ, CEO OF BIGGER BOLDER BAKING/THE BOLD BAKING NETWORK

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Epic Gardening Buys Modern Farmer + M&A History Since 2023

Good Good Golf Gets $45M // Rise of Sports x Social Commerce

Fixated Gets $12.8M from Eldridge // Capital Flows to Digital Talent Reps

VERB Pays $8.3M for LyveCom // More Live Shopping M&A

Audiochuck Gets $40M from TCG // Valuation Estimate and Podcast Momentum

Publicis Buys LATAM-Based BR Media // Ramps Up Influencer Agency M&A

February 28, 2025

Carlyle Invests in Entertainment 360 // Talent Mgmt M&A Heats Up

February 21, 2025

Fox Buys Red Seat Ventures // Strong M&A Signal for Creator x Podcasting

February 14, 2025

SAMY Alliance Buys Content Lab + Gets $310M PE Buyout

February 7, 2025

ShopMy Raises $78M at $410M Valuation // Rise of Affiliate Commerce

January 31, 2025

Stagwell Buys Create.Group // Marks 3rd Deal in MENA

January 24, 2025

Whatnot Raises $265M / Brat Buys Electric Monster

January 17, 2025

Later Buys Mavely for $250M / Valuation Multiples and Deal ROI

January 10, 2025

2025 Begins New Growth Cycle for Creator Economy

January 3, 2025

$83M Hot Ones Sale // Politics in Creator Economy and Valuation Estimate

December 20, 2024

Night Buys Bottle Rocket Management // Marks 2nd Talent M&A Deal

December 6, 2024

RockWater Gives Thanks: NYC Holiday Party, Client Wins, and 2025 Plans

November 29, 2024

Springhill Merges with Fulwell 73, Gets $40M Growth Investment

November 22, 2024

ECI Partners Buys Croud // Valuation and EBITDA Multiples Estimate

November 15, 2024

Insignia Buys Veritone One and Oxford Road // Makes $100M+ Podcasting Bet

November 8, 2024

TPG Buys Grandview, its 2nd Deal in Talent Mgmt Rollup

November 1, 2024

2024 State of the Union for Creator x Media Advisory

October 25, 2024

Whalar Buys Sixteenth, its 2nd Talent Co Acquisition

October 18, 2024

MrBeast Buys Vouch, a Sign of More Planned M&A?

October 11, 2024

New Engen Buys Donut Digital, Continues Agency M&A Rollup

October 4, 2024

Dulcedo Buys Node // Revenue and Valuation Estimate

September 27, 2024

Informa Buys Vidcon // How to Fix and Valuation Estimate

September 20, 2024

gen.video Buys Bounty // RockWater Advises on Sale

September 13, 2024

Wasserman Buys Long Haul Mgmt // RockWater Advises on Sale

September 6, 2024

XSET Buys Illusive Media + POV on Digital x Gaming M&A

August 23, 2024

Ziff Davis Buys CNET for $100M+, Preps for More M&A

August 16, 2024

Stagwell Buys Tel Aviv-Based LEADERS, Marking 7th Acquisition in 2024

Publicis Buys Influential for $500M + Valuation and Deal Waterfalls

EssilorLuxottica Buys Supreme for $1.5B + Valuation Estimate

IZEA-Owned Hoozu Buys 26 Talent, Expands in APAC

TPG Buys Untitled, Plans New Talent Management Co + Valuation Estimate

LOST iN Raises $4M, Plans Travel Media M&A Rollup

Croud Buys Vert Digital, its 5th Agency M&A Deal

Complex Buys ‘Family Style’ + Valuation Estimate

Media M&A Rollup Leads to UPROXX Newco

PodX Buys Platform Media, its 7th Podcast Acquisition

“MEG” Investor Alignment Growth Buys Stake in Wheelhouse

MrBeast Leaves Management Co Night + Learnings for Talent Reps

Liberty, Wildcat Invest in Range Media

Triller and AGBA Plan $4B Merger + Role of TikTok Ban

Dude Perfect Raises $100M + Investor ROI Math

Endeavor Goes Private for $13B + Valuation Multiples

ShopMy Raises $18.5M for Creator Affiliate Platform

Skillshare Buys Superpeer, a Fan Monetization Platform

Loaded Buys GG Talent, a Gaming Talent Agency

10 Questions a Creator Must Ask When Launching CPG

Passes Gets $40M for new Direct-to-Fan Platform

2024 State of Creator x Media Economy Fundraising: Efficient Studios, Aggregators, AI Hype, Power Founders, Pay Advancers, et al

UTA Buys JUV Consulting, a Gen Z Research and Marketing Agency

2024 State of Creator x Media Economy M&A: Digital Darlings, Social Channels, MCNs, Live Commerce, Tools, Podcasts, et al

Buzzfeed Sells Complex for $109M + Notes on Valuation

2024 State of Agency M&A: Rise of Challengers, Hot Targets, New Buyers, and Deal Structures Explained

A3 Agency Shuts Down After Selling Digital Division to Gersh + M&A Learnings

February 16, 2024

VidIQ Buys Creator Now + Our Valuation Estimate

February 9, 2024

Robinhood Buys its 2nd Financial Newsletter, Chartr

February 2, 2024

The Case for Increased Investment In the Podcast Industry

January 31, 2024

Gersh Buys A3’s Digital & Alternative Teams

January 26, 2024

Brat Buys Crypt TV + More Digital Rollups

January 19, 2024

Stagwell Buys Team Epiphany, a “Culturalist” Agency

January 12, 2024

Buzzfeed to Sell Complex for $100M?

January 5, 2024

Jezebel Sells to Paste Mag + Cautionary Tale of Bad Sell-Side M&A

January 2, 2024

IZEA Buys Hoozu and Zuberance, Gets Influencer Agency and More

December 21, 2023

Short-Form Studio FazeWorld Raises $750k

December 14, 2023

Conservative Creator Monetization Playbook

December 12, 2023

Dulcedo Buys 2 Agencies: Influence+All Mgmt and Sundae Creative

December 6, 2023

Why Creators are Launching Investment Funds and Why Savvy Founders are Watching

December 1, 2023

K-Pop and Latin Converge: Hybe Acquires Exile Music

November 22, 2023

25 Influencer Rep M&A Deals + Challenges to 2024 Dealmaking

November 17, 2023

Movers+Shakers Sells for $50M to Stagwell

November 15, 2023

RockWater Q4 Market Update + How to Prep for 2024

November 10, 2023

Betches Media Sells for 13.8x EBITDA + Why Supergreat Is Shutting Down

November 9, 2023

Pophouse Avicii Exhibit + Business Model of Netflix Houses

November 1, 2023

WTF Just Happened to FaZe Clan?

October 27, 2023

Wasserman Buys 3 Talent Firms in 3 Weeks

October 20, 2023

Gersh and A3 Artists in Deal Talks + Electrify Raises $85M for YouTube Rollup

October 6, 2023

Wasserman Buys Brillstein: Combo Logic and Talent M&A Learnings

September 22, 2023

Spotify’s $1B Podcast Bet: Mistakes & Learnings

September 8, 2023

Podcasts’ New Playbook + Prepping for 2024 M&A

August 17, 2023

19 Influencer M&A Deals Since 2019 + Hasbro Sells eOne for $500M to Lionsgate

August 11, 2023

The Math for Digital IP Roll Ups + Was $300M for Barbie a Good Investment?

Complex Has a Buzzfeed Problem + How to Value Podcast Networks

Capital Merges with Labor (LIV / PGA) + No Consensus on Livestream Commerce

How to Navigate Culture Wars + Newsletter Launches a CPG Brand

Electrify Invests in Veritasium YouTube Channel, Fanatics Pays $150M for PointsBet US

How Deion Sanders Uses Social Media to Transform College Football

India Overtakes China + Ryan Reynolds Invests in Nuvei

Hollywood Is Betting on Fear + Savvy Games Acquires Scopely for $4.9 Billion

The Ryan Reynolds “Fast-Follower” Strategy

Path to Profit: Exec Playbook (Pt 2)

Why Magic Mike Should Launch a Skincare Brand + Temu Makes Waves at Super Bowl

February 17, 2023

2023 Exec Playbook: Thrive or Survive (Pt 1)

February 10, 2023

🎊Celebrating RockWater’s 2022 Client Wins and 28 Content Publishings

December 14, 2022

How Practical Are Livestream Shopping Applications for Whole Person Health & Wellness?

November 17, 2022

How Elon Musk’s $8 Blue Checkmark Subscription Strategy is a $9B Opportunity for Twitter

November 11, 2022

eSports Revenue Potential in Creator Economy and Web3 (Pt. 3)

October 5, 2022

eSports Leagues and Game Publishers – Monetization Playbook (Pt. 2)

September 22, 2022

How eSports Revenue Models Will Drive the $600B Global Sports Market (Pt. 1)

September 7, 2022

3 Innovations Social Incumbents Must Pursue to Win the “Livestream Commerce Wars”

What New Tech Will Solve the Challenges for US Livestream Shopping?

Livestream Commerce: How New Stakeholders Will Close the $436 Billion Gap with China

How Airbnb’s Redesign Will Grow Revenue for STVR Owners

Why Sticky Habits Will Unlock Billion $$ Potential of US Live Shopping Market

5 FAQs On Livestream Shopping

A Chef’s Kiss: How Food & Lifestyle Will Merge in 2022

2022 Prediction: Why Was $20B Invested in Sports Leagues and Teams in 2021? And What’s Next For this Soon-To-Be $825B Industry?

2022 Web3 Prediction: Digital Goods with High Consumer Utility Will Rise to the Top

February 17, 2022

How Future IP Investments Will Super-Serve Under-Served Audiences, Like the 40% of Non-Whites

January 27, 2022

2021 Year In Review: Sticky Acceleration and Birth of the “Ownership Economy”

January 13, 2022

Why the “Creator Economy” is Now Worth $104 Billion (and Counting…)

October 28, 2021

Why MGM Sold for 28x EBITDA and How Private Equity Will Fund the “Bullet Makers” of the Streaming Wars

September 29, 2021

Netflix Shop and 4 Ways Streamer-Led Commerce Will Evolve

August 12, 2021

From 9-Figure Cash Grabs to Redefining Sport: The Evolution of Creator Competitions

16 Podcasts, 13 Writings, and Celebrating 1H 2021

How Media Operators Capture the $60 Billion US Sports Betting Market

The Duality of Social Audio: How will the landscape unfold?

The Duality of Social Audio: Leaning In While Leaning Back

How To Buy an NFT (like an “NFTweet”)

Kids Screen Time Explodes, 20+ Deals, and How To Win the Next Generation of Viewers (and Their Parents)

2021 Predictions: How to Close the $150 Billion Livestream Commerce Gap Between US-China

2021 Predictions: Sportsbook Content Strategy for the $60 Billion Online Gambling Market

February 11, 2021

2021 Predictions: 4 New Audio Buyers + Food Commerce Gets “Re-stacked”

January 28, 2021

From Attention to Passion. A Look Back at 2020.

January 14, 2021

Surfline Gets $30 Million: Our Deal Concerns, the CEO on Growth, and the Future of Water Sports

December 22, 2020

Why Only 61% of Gen Z Watches Sports, and How to Future-Proof Sports Media by Unbundling Live Rights

December 3, 2020

How to Win the Next Frontier of Consumer Engagement with At-Home Audio (Part 2)

November 12, 2020

How 640 Million Smart Speakers by 2024 Will Reinvent At-Home Audio (Part 1)

November 6, 2020

How YouTube Is Playing Catch-Up in Online Shopping, $825 Million of Sports SPACS, Kroger’s New Ghost Kitchens

October 16, 2020

Why Every Brand Needs a Livestream Media and Selling Strategy in 2021

October 2, 2020

Explained: 4 Deals Powering the “At-Home-ification” of Stadium Foods and the War Against the Couch

September 18, 2020

How “Player Empowerment” Will Unlock Billion-Dollar Sports Brands: The Rise of Athlete Podcasters (Part 2/2)

August 13, 2020

Sports Media Enters 3rd Wave: The Rise of Athlete Podcasters as the Next Billion-Dollar Brand Builders (Part 1/2)

Why Only 10% of Beauty Sales are Online, and How to Fix the Consumer “Trust Gap”

Winning in Livestream Shopping: The RockWater Playbook (Part 2/2)

Exploding Kittens and What Surprises Us About Tabletop Games and Lo Fi Media

Can the US Replicate China’s $63B Livestream Shopping Industry?

The Future of Food & Beverage: When Will Manufacturers + Media Converge?

Profits and Purpose: Crooked Media, Black Rifle Coffee, Ben & Jerry’s

Leadership Traps and How to Discuss Racism

Leadership Principles During Crisis: How to Steer to Better Times

Winning in Nextgen Sports Media: The RockWater Playbook (Part 3/3)

Lessons from Call Her Daddy: IP, Food, Talent, Leadership

What Does Joe Rogan’s Exclusive Spotify Deal Signal for the Future of Podcasting?

How to “Follow Your Fans” – Lessons from Fortnite, NFL, WWE (Part 2/3)

Explained: Amazon (Not) Buying AMC

How Will Eko’s Litigation Against Quibi Result in Hedge Fund ROI?

How Gambling and ‘Live’ Impact Fandom, the Real Money Maker in Sports Media (Part 1/3)

How WarnerMedia’s CEO Pick Will Change the Hiring Strategy for New Hollywood

What COVID-19 Means for the Future of the Dining Ecosystem

How to Be an Industry Leader During COVID-19

Explained: The Future of Ad-Supported TV

Time Out, MeatEater, NY Times, Complex: The Role of Commerce in Food Media

February 21, 2020

Barstool Sports & The Ringer: Lessons About Growth

February 6, 2020

RockWater 2020 Predictions

January 23, 2020

Breaking Down SiriusXM Video vs. Spotify Video

December 21, 2019

KSI vs. Logan Paul Rematch: The Most Aggressive New Bet in Sports Media

November 20, 2019

Is Spotify Kids a Smart Growth Bet?

November 7, 2019

Is Nike Adventure Club, a Subscription Service for Kids, a Winning Commerce Strategy?

October 23, 2019