JEGI CLARITY 21st Annual Media & Technology Conference: Key Insights from Industry Leaders

Topic:

Marketing

Year:

14 March 2025

CMG at the Forefront of Media & Technology Innovations

The JEGI CLARITY 21st Annual Media & Technology Conference, an exclusive invite-only event, gathered over 500 top CEOs, founders, and C-suite executives from media, tech, publishing, broadcasting, M&A, and investment banking to discuss the future of the industry. Among the elite attendees was Michael Schweiger, CEO of Casting Media Group (CMG), engaging with global leaders on the next big shifts in digital media, M&A, and AI-powered growth strategies.

As the media landscape undergoes rapid transformation, content monetization, digital media strategies, AI-driven innovations, and M&A activity are shaping the industry's next era.

Key Takeaways from JEGI CLARITY 2025

1. The Power of B2B & Live Events is Stronger Than Ever

Post-pandemic, live business events have made a massive comeback as a key driver of industry connections and revenue. Stephen Carter, CEO of Informa, highlighted how #flibs (Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show) became a catalyst for the live events sector, reviving global networking opportunities.

For brands, leveraging live events as high-impact marketing tools is now more essential than ever, combining in-person networking with digital amplification.

2. News Media & Content Distribution is Evolving

Paul Basecobert, CEO of Reuters, and Chris Ridley, CEO of Sinclair Inc., discussed the changing role of news media in an era of AI-driven content distribution. The panel, moderated by Jeff Goldstein of AlixPartners, reinforced how regional news and traditional media outlets are navigating digital disruption.

Brands and media companies must now adopt agile strategies, leveraging AI, subscription-based models, and interactive content formats to remain relevant.

3. Podcasting, Video Content & The Future of Digital Influence

With podcasting’s explosive growth, Sheila Spencer (Spotify) and Ray Chao (Vox Media) discussed why brands are shifting from static content to immersive audio-visual storytelling. The rise of video-first influencer marketing and the True Crime genre dominating digital media were highlighted as major trends.

For businesses, this means:
✔️ Investing in podcast sponsorships & branded storytelling
✔️ Integrating short-form video & long-form audio strategies
✔️ Exploring niche, high-engagement content formats

4. M&A Activity & AI-Driven Market Trends

Rich Kanefsy (JEGI) shared that 2025 is set to be a breakout year for M&A activity in media and technology, driven by:
The AI revolution – optimizing data-driven decision-making in mergers & acquisitions
Quality of Earnings (QoE) analysis – businesses must streamline operations & enhance valuations
Companies with strong data assets & unique technology are highly desirable acquisition targets

As AI continues transforming the media industry, businesses that leverage data analytics, machine learning, and automation will dominate future investment trends.

CMG's Perspective on the Future of Media & Technology

At Casting Media Group (CMG), we are at the forefront of these transformative shifts. Our CEO, Michael Schweiger, engaged with global leaders at JEGI CLARITY, reinforcing CMG's role in:
✔️ Connecting luxury brands with digital media & influencer marketing opportunities
✔️ Harnessing AI-driven strategies to maximize brand visibility & engagement
✔️ Innovating new media & content distribution models for premium clientele

CMG is bridging the gap between elite luxury brands, high-impact content, and next-gen media distribution.