Investor Insights: The PE Perspective on Value Creation in the AI Era
Speakers
Kerry Gumas is founder and CEO of Metacomet Advisors, which provides strategic advisory and board services to technology, marketing services, information companies and event owners and, via Metacomet Ventures, co-invests in early stage and growth businesses. Kerry co-founded and served as a director and CEO of Questex, a leading global business information and event producer, and previously held senior executive positions at Reed Exhibitions, Advanstar, and IDG.
His industry affiliations include prior service as chairman at the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and service as board member of Connectiv, the global business information association division of SIIA.
Gil Ozir is a Managing Partner of Beringer Capital and leads the firm’s New York office. As a member of the Investment Committee, he is responsible for investing activities, strategic development and oversight of Beringer’s portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Beringer, Gil was a Managing Director at AMR International, a leading boutique consultancy focused on strategy and M&A in the media, information and technology sectors. At AMR, Gil ran the North America practice and led numerous commercial due diligence engagements on behalf of both corporate and private equity investors.
Before working at AMR, Gil was Executive Vice President of a private family office in New York, where he was the strategic advisor to the CEO. Gil began his career as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he was a manager in the private equity practice and specialized in consumer packaged goods and media.
Gil holds a JD from New York University School of Law and graduated from Lafayette College with a degree in history.
Scott Peters is a co-founder and Managing Partner of Growth Catalyst Partners (“GCP”), a middle-market private equity firm focused on building innovative information, marketing and tech-enabled services companies. GCP, founded in 2017 with over $1 billion in assets under management, has established 15 platform companies comprised of over 130 acquisitions.
Before that, Scott was Co-President of The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. (“JEGI”), a leading independent investment bank for the global media, marketing, technology, and information services sectors.
SUMMARY
This private equity panel highlights a major shift in how media, events, and data businesses are valued and built in today’s AI-driven landscape. Investors are no longer looking at content, events, or data as separate silos. The strongest companies integrate all three to create deep audience relationships, proprietary data, and defensible competitive advantages. Events are reframed as “data engines,” producing valuable insights that most companies fail to fully monetize. At the same time, AI is raising the bar for both operators and investors, forcing businesses to rethink their moats, efficiency, and future growth pathways. The core message is clear. Companies that combine vertical focus, proprietary data, and AI-enabled strategy will win, while those that fail to evolve risk being left behind.
TRANSCRIPT
[00:00 – 00:01:30] Setting the Context: The Media & Events Landscape The discussion opens with a breakdown of the “industry” into content, events, marketing services, and data, emphasizing how these pieces are increasingly interconnected.
[00:01:30 – 00:03:30] Content Disruption in an AI World AI and platforms are reducing traffic to traditional content businesses. The opportunity lies in focusing on depth, unique voice, timeliness, and engagement to differentiate.
[00:03:30 – 00:05:30] The Return of Integrated Models After years of separating events and content, the industry is moving back toward integrated models that combine audience, data, and engagement for greater value.
[00:05:30 – 00:07:00] Community as the Core Asset The most valuable businesses are those that own a defined audience and can deliver trusted experiences across multiple channels.
[00:07:00 – 00:08:30] Vertical Focus vs. Scale Strong preference for deep vertical focus rather than broad, multi-industry approaches. Specialization creates defensibility and stronger customer relationships.
[00:08:30 – 00:10:00] From Content to Platforms & Utilities Winning companies are evolving into platforms, tools, or communities rather than pure content businesses, providing ongoing value to users.
[00:10:00 – 00:11:30] Events as Data Engines Events generate rich, proprietary data about audience behavior, interests, and buying signals. This data is often underutilized.
[00:11:30 – 00:12:30] The “Gold Dust” Problem Most event companies fail to capture and monetize the insights generated during events, leaving significant value untapped.
[00:12:30 – 00:14:00] Building Value Through Data Integration The real advantage comes from connecting data across content, events, and engagement to create a unified view of the customer.
[00:14:00 – 00:15:30] AI and Proprietary Data Advantage AI can aggregate public data easily, but proprietary data becomes more valuable. Companies must differentiate based on what only they know.
[00:15:30 – 00:17:00] Are Events “AI-Proof”? Events are currently seen as resilient, but they have limitations such as scale, cost, and vulnerability to external shocks. They are not immune to disruption.
[00:17:00 – 00:18:30] AI in Investment Decision-Making Investors are now evaluating whether AI strengthens or weakens a company’s competitive moat and future growth potential.
[00:18:30 – 00:20:00] Due Diligence in the AI Era AI enables deeper and faster analysis during diligence, leaving “no place to hide.” Companies should proactively audit themselves using AI before going to market.
[00:20:00 – 00:21:30] Key Advice for CEOs
Optimize efficiency using AI now Then shift focus to future growth and resilience Build clear pathways for AI-driven value creation
[00:21:30 – 00:23:00] Final Takeaways: Leadership in an AI World Leaders must personally engage with AI, drive adoption from the top, and eliminate resistance within their organizations. The pace of change demands urgency and clarity.
