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Similar to what’s unfolding in the “Streaming Wars”, the audio landscape is also undergoing a once-in-a-generation paradigm shift. Consumption habits are rapidly transforming, and a handful of platforms are spending BIG today — on content, talent, IP, and tech — in order to win market share for tomorrow. The downstream effects of the “Audio Wars” spending sprees are massive, as companies across the audio ecosystem are being targeted for lucrative partnerships and acquisitions. The volume of audio M&A deals nearly tripled between 2018-2021, and with emerging growth opportunities like smart speakers, social audio, and international expansion, this deal flow will escalate over the coming years.
"In the crowded landscape of media advisors and analysts, Chris and the RockWater team stand out for their impressive level of insight and substance, which has served as a secret weapon more than once. Their network within the audio field is unparalleled, and they have a keen ins…
“I have worked with Chris Erwin, both informally and formally, for several years. Chris was a trusted, valued advisor when I took my company, Midroll Media (now Stitcher), through a successful M&A process that ultimately ended in a sale to EW Scripps. In my role as COO of Team …
“RockWater’s team dovetails incredibly sophisticated marketplace intelligence with an impressive, far-reaching network of leading professionals at nearly every top digital-focused company – with this powerful combination, they provide clients with invaluable strategic insig…
“RockWater delivers something few others can: unique perspective. Chris and his team analyze the complicated playing field and cut through the BS to deliver actionable insights that add immediate value. RockWater acts as an extension of my own team, adding a tool to our toolbox…
“Every time I’ve worked and spent time with Chris and his RockWater team it’s been a true joy. He deeply understands where the market is headed and provides actionable insights and guidance to help companies launch profitable new businesses. He also has a deep and wide-rang…
"As a venture capitalist looking for the next disruptive force in media and entertainment, RockWater has become an essential source of detailed thinking around the trends and companies that will be driving major change in this industry for years to come."
"When we began looking for intelligence partners, we knew we wanted a group who would work with us as part of a team, not a vendor. We found exactly what we were looking for in RockWater. Starting from a very open place, they were comfortable with and capable of helping us ...
"Chris and the RockWater team provide a differentiated perspective on the sports ecosystem. Specifically, their ability to leverage their deep expertise in media and apply it to frontier markets such as sports betting and esports helped us to flesh out white space ...
