Fireside Chat - Leveraging Data for Enhanced Profits & Valuation

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.

Are you interested in joining Revenue Room™ Connect, the first C-Suite network for CEOs and their revenue-critical C-Suite teams in media, events, data/information, and marketplace sectors? We focus on turbo-charging enterprise value using data, dig

About RevvedUP 2026
RevvedUP 2026 is where CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders reset their growth playbook for the AI-first economy. Taking place March 23–24, 2026 at The Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, FL, this two-day strategy lab helps leaders pressure-test how AI moves from cost center to growth driver and turn data and disruption into competitive advantage.

About Heather Holst-Knudsen
Heather Holst-Knudsen is the founder and CEO of H2K Labs and Revenue Room™ Connect. A seasoned executive and operator across media, marketplaces, events, and technology, she specializes in digital transformation, data-driven growth, and customer-centric value creation. Heather shares her insights on multisided business models through The Revenue Room™.

About Revenue Room™ CXO
Revenue Room™ CXO is a private executive community for CEOs and revenue-critical C-Suite leaders navigating growth in the data and AI economy. Through curated peer discussions and strategy sprints, members tackle real-world challenges in revenue transformation, customer intelligence, and business model innovation.

Learn more or apply for membership at info.h2klabs.com/apply-cxo.