Lucinda Martinez

CBS News is considering another round of layoffs that could impact at least 15% of its staff. The move is part of editor in chief Bari Weiss’ plan to shift the network’s focus toward streaming and offering a wider range of perspectives. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ghQfdGpm

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Starr Announces Acquisition of IQUW Group. The acquisition of IQUW Group will expand the classes of business that Starr underwrites and will position the combined company for growth across a broader range of global market segments. As a result of the acquisition, Starr’s managing agency is set to become the ninth-largest agency operating at Lloyd's. IQUW Group has GWP of approximately $1.9 billion and includes two Lloyd’s syndicates: IQUW, a specialty (re)insurer that operates across multiple specialty lines and ERS, the U.K.’s largest motor insurer at Lloyd’s, as well as IQUW Re Bermuda, its Bermuda-based reinsurance platform. The acquisition will bring together Starr’s specialty insurance and reinsurance capabilities with IQUW Group’s strong market presence and complementary portfolio, creating one of the most diversified platforms at Lloyd’s. Outside of the Lloyd’s market, Starr writes commercial non-life insurance globally, with coverage in over 170 countries across 6 continents. Following completion of the transaction, Peter Bilsby, IQUW Group’s chief executive officer, will lead Starr’s international business, working closely with Stuart Scott, Starr’s president of U.K. and EME, and Jose Ribeiro, Starr’s president for APAC and LATAM. “This strategic acquisition of IQUW Group is about diversification and a focus on underwriting profitability, consistent with our own. The combination of our companies will give us a larger footprint in the London market and result in a stronger organization,” said Jeff Greenberg, chairman and co-chief executive officer of Starr. “We have known and respected Pete Bilsby for a number of years. He has built an exceptional team, and I am delighted that he will lead our international business.” Steve Blakey, president and chief executive officer of Starr Insurance Holdings, commented: “Through this transaction, we are significantly expanding our presence in Bermuda, U.K. retail motor, and London wholesale, the most important wholesale market globally. With limited overlap between the two organizations, the addition of IQUW Group means we will be able to serve more clients and brokers in more specialist classes and market segments.” Peter Bilsby said: “I cannot think of a better new home for IQUW Group than with Starr. When we launched IQUW, our vision was to bring together market-leading talent with technology and data analytics to enhance service and decision-making for our brokers and (re)insureds. I am very grateful for Aquiline ’s and Abry Partners ’s support over the years, and I am immensely proud that we have delivered on our vision. Being part of Starr will enable us to scale up our specialist products, and our tech and data capabilities will be of benefit to the wider Starr group. I am incredibly excited for this next chapter and what we can achieve together.” https://lnkd.in/eXBUJpG2

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The WBD bidding surge signals more than interest in media. It reflects a shift in how capital evaluates opportunity. When several global buyers reach a second round of binding offers for a company with studio assets, streaming operations and international distribution, it shows investors are prepared to handle complex structures again. That matters across the broader market. This type of activity often moves ahead of wider private equity confidence. Analysts, miners, RWA leadership teams and informed investors track these signals closely. When capital becomes comfortable with complexity, hiring acceleration is typically next. Firms begin reinforcing executive teams, upgrading capabilities and preparing for growth. The takeaway is clear. Executives who bring investor fluency, transformation experience and disciplined scaling capability will be prioritised as momentum builds. This is a moment to prepare, not pause. Market signals are moving and leadership expectations will rise with them.

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Brightline, the fast passenger-rail service connecting the key cruise-port cities of Miami (PortMiami), Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), and Orlando (Port Canaveral) on Thursday announced the launch of its first-ever loyalty program, Brightline Rewards. https://lnkd.in/eapURkHt

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Comcast’s spinoff of the majority of its NBCU cable network portfolio, Versant Media Group, will trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker "VSNT" after the separation. A filing with the SEC shows that for the first six months of this year, the assets that fall under Versant Media generated $670 million in net profit, down 16%, on revenue of $3.42 billion, down 6%. The assets generated $7 billion in revenue in 2024, down from $7.4 billion in 2023 and $7.8 billion in 2022. The company also disclosed that it ended the first half of the year with $4 million in cash, $11.6 billion in assets and $1.03 billion in debt. SEC filing: https://lnkd.in/etkEsQRv - #versant #paytv #cordcutting #streamingmedia #NBCU #comacst #SVOD #AVOD

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Right now I'm obsessed with the idea of generating deep loyalty via supporting consumers to to feel 'psychological ownership' of a brand, product, service or space. This exceptional piece of academic research by Yoon, Peck and Shu details how guests who feel psychological ownership of their hotel room tend to demonstrate stronger loyalty towards the hotel; more positive reviews, higher sentiment, and more likely to return. Loyalty strategy doesn't always require a loyalty program.

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Excited to announce our recent collaboration with Sundial Media & Technology Group for the ESSENCE-branded FAST channel. This partnership embodies our commitment to serving underrepresented audiences with authentic content and substantial growth opportunities. The landscape is evolving rapidly, with Black viewership on streaming platforms increasing by 40% annually. Despite this surge, tailored programming for Black women remains limited on major CTV and digital platforms. Our initiative goes beyond filling this void; we are establishing a dedicated cultural hub. By merging ESSENCE's 55-year legacy as the voice of Black women with our production and distribution expertise, we are poised to expand our impact significantly. Partnering with a brand that attracts over 500,000 attendees annually to the largest Black culture festival ensures access to a highly engaged consumer base with proven loyalty and purchasing power. The game-changing aspect lies in our development of direct distribution channels. Ownership of distribution is pivotal as it allows us to deliver genuine content directly to the intended audiences, bypassing intermediaries. This move enables us to seamlessly transition the festival enthusiasm and community spirit into year-round premium content on Connected TV, YouTube, and major FAST platforms. What sets this endeavor apart is our focus on creating sustainable revenue streams for Black women creatives while establishing direct connections with culturally involved and economically active audiences. This isn't merely a channel launch; it's about fostering economic empowerment and steering the narrative from creation to distribution. It's about distribution rooted in and driven by the culture. #StreamingStrategy #Partnership #femalecreators #CTV #DigitalMedia #HARTBEAT #ESSENCE #Distribution Source: [Link to the article](https://lnkd.in/gcqXvr9H)

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The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) announced a new partnership with Encore. 🌅 Encore will be the venue’s preferred on-site provider for audiovisual, rigging and digital branding services. The company has strong global event production expertise and a deep local presence in South Florida, with more than 100 venue partnerships in the region. “Our priority is always to provide our guests with a memorable experience that matches the global vibrancy of Miami Beach,” Freddie Peterson, General Manager of the MBCC, stated. “By working closely with Encore, our customers and our contract partners, we are committed to delivering not just state-of-the-art technology, but also a truly seamless and client-focused event journey. This partnership creates mutually beneficial opportunities for innovation and collaboration, ensuring that every event is tailored to our clients’ unique needs and aspirations. Together, we will set a new benchmark for service, value and industry-leading experiences in Miami Beach and beyond.” #tradeshows #events #MBCC #Encore  

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