This podcast, hosted by Heather Holst-Knudsen, gathered leaders in the B2B media, events, and information industry to discuss the critical role of data in enhancing business value and navigating mergers and acquisitions. The conversation explored how the importance and use of data have evolved in recent years, particularly in the context of company valuations and M&A activities.

Participants included  Kerry Gumas, CEO @ Metacomet Advisors, Reed Phillips, CEO @ Oaklins DaSilva+Phillips, Mark Zadell, Strategic Finance Executive, Thomas Pecht, Principal @ PMS Inc., and Tom Kemp, Chairman & CEO @ Northstar Travel Group. 

Key points from the discussion:

• Data valuation has become a crucial pillar in M&A due diligence, with buyers now expecting more sophisticated data analytics and metrics.

• There's a shift towards evaluating leading indicators like Customer Acquisition Cost, Net Revenue Retention, and Lifetime Value, beyond traditional lagging metrics.

• The quality and organization of a company's data can significantly impact its attractiveness to buyers and overall valuation.

• Native digital media businesses tend to be more attractive than those with a high percentage of legacy print revenue.

• Performance marketing and first-party data are becoming increasingly valuable, especially with the phasing out of third-party cookies.

• Diversification beyond traditional advertising models is advisable, with a focus on recurring revenue streams.

• The M&A market is expected to improve in 2024, with more willingness from both buyers and sellers to close deals.

• The quality of the asset, including its data infrastructure and management team, remains paramount in determining valuation.

As the industry continues to evolve, businesses that effectively leverage their data, both for internal improvements and external monetization, are likely to see higher valuations and more successful M&A outcomes. The discussion emphasized that while market conditions play a role, the fundamental quality of a company's data infrastructure, revenue models, and management team remains crucial in determining its value and attractiveness to potential buyers or investors.

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About Heather Holst-Knudsen

Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. She is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in digital transformation, data, and revenue growth. She is a recognized leader and operator in media, marketplaces, events, and adjacent technologies. Heather has a proven track record of leading organizations to achieve customer-centric innovation, revenue growth, and enterprise value creation. As a thought leader, Heather shares her insights on multisided business models under The Revenue Room™. Connect with Heather on LinkedIn.

ABOUT REVENUE ROOM™ CONNECT

Revenue Room™ Connect is a high-trust membership network for growth-minded executives in media, events, data, and B2B platforms. It’s where forward-thinking leaders align around what actually drives revenue—with curated content, peer exchange, and exclusive access to frameworks, events, and executive insights. Join to connect with others solving the same challenges you are. Create your free profile at https://www.revenueroomconnect.com.

ABOUT H2K LABS

H2K Labs is a tech-enabled value creation specialist that helps media, data/information, event, and marketplace businesses accelerate revenue, drive profitability, and fuel enterprise value using data, digi...