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Writer's pictureRISHI KORDE

Adani Group acquires majority stake in news agency IANS for undisclosed sum




Billionaire Gautam Adani's conglomerate has acquired a controlling stake in the news agency IANS India Pvt Ltd, marking a further expansion of the group's presence in the media sector. Adani Enterprises, the entity overseeing the group's media ventures, revealed in a regulatory filing that its subsidiary, AMG Media Networks Ltd, has secured a 50.50% equity stake in IANS India Pvt Ltd. The acquisition price was not disclosed.

This move into the media industry began for Adani in March of the previous year when the conglomerate acquired Quintillion Business Media, the operator of the BQ Prime digital media platform focused on business and financial news. In December of the same year, Adani increased its media footprint by obtaining a nearly 65% stake in the broadcaster NDTV. These acquisitions were facilitated through AMNL, the designated vehicle for such strategic moves.

The regulatory filing outlined the establishment of a shareholders' agreement between AMNL and IANS, along with shareholder Sandeep Bamzai. This agreement outlines their respective rights concerning IANS. Notably, IANS reported a revenue of Rs 11.86 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23.

The filing emphasized that AMNL would assume full operational and management control over IANS, including the authority to appoint all directors of the news agency. Following this acquisition, IANS has now become a subsidiary of AMNL.

Gautam Adani, an entrepreneur who initially entered the business world as a commodities trader in 1988, has steadily expanded his ventures. From becoming India's leading private player in infrastructure, with significant holdings in ports and airports, the group diversified into various sectors such as coal production, energy distribution, data centers, and more recently, cement and copper. Adani's group even ventured into the realm of 5G telecom spectrum acquisition to establish a private network.

This strategic acquisition aligns with Adani's overarching business trajectory. As a first-generation entrepreneur, Adani's journey began as a commodities trader, and over the years, he has transformed the conglomerate into India's largest private player in infrastructure. With holdings in 13 ports and eight airports, the group has diversified its interests to include coal production, energy distribution, data centers, and more recently, ventures into cement and copper.

Notably, Adani's foray into the media sector signals a dynamic expansion, with a series of acquisitions aimed at establishing a significant presence in the industry. The recent acquisition of a majority stake in IANS India Pvt Ltd further solidifies Adani's foothold in the media landscape, granting AMNL operational control and the authority to shape the strategic direction of IANS.

, this move reflects Adani's continuous diversification and strategic expansion across various sectors, showcasing a visionary approach to business growth and adaptation to evolving market landscapes.

Furthermore, the conglomerate's involvement in media began in March of the previous year with the purchase of Quintillion Business Media, which operates the BQ Prime digital media platform focused on business and financial news. The subsequent acquisition of a substantial stake in NDTV in December marked another significant step in Adani's media ventures, all facilitated through the dedicated vehicle, AMNL.

With this latest acquisition of IANS India Pvt Ltd, Adani Enterprises solidifies its position in the media sector. The regulatory filing underscores that AMNL's shareholders' agreement with IANS and Sandeep Bamzai serves to establish clear delineations of rights among the involved parties. The filing also revealed IANS's financial performance, reporting a revenue of Rs 11.86 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23.

This strategic acquisition not only enhances Adani's influence in the media landscape but also solidifies AMNL's role as a pivotal entity in shaping the operational and managerial aspects of IANS. The conglomerate's ability to appoint all directors of IANS emphasizes its commitment to steering the news agency's strategic direction.

Gautam Adani's entrepreneurial journey, originating as a commodities trader and evolving into a multifaceted business magnate, underscores the conglomerate's adaptability and resilience in navigating diverse sectors. The move into media aligns with Adani's overarching vision, expanding the group's footprint and influence across key industries.

 Adani's latest venture into IANS India Pvt Ltd marks another milestone in the conglomerate's strategic expansion, reaffirming its dynamic and forward-thinking approach to business diversification and growth.

Moreover, the acquisition underscores Adani's commitment to actively shaping the media landscape. Having initiated this diversification in March of the preceding year with the acquisition of Quintillion Business Media, Adani has strategically positioned the conglomerate to play a substantial role in the digital media sphere, particularly in the realms of business and financial news.

By taking a majority stake in IANS India Pvt Ltd, Adani not only expands its media holdings but also underscores its dedication to operational control and strategic decision-making within the acquired entities. This aligns with the broader pattern of Adani Enterprises evolving from its origins as a commodities trader in 1988 to becoming a prominent player across infrastructure, energy, and now, media

This strategic acquisition consolidates Adani's foothold in the media domain, exemplifying the conglomerate's proactive stance in shaping the industry's trajectory. Commencing this diversification journey in March of the previous year with the acquisition of Quintillion Business Media, Adani strategically positioned the conglomerate to play a pivotal role in digital media, especially in the fields of business and financial news.

The majority stake acquisition in IANS India Pvt Ltd not only expands Adani's media portfolio but also underscores its unwavering commitment to steering the operational dynamics and strategic decisions within the newly acquired entities. This strategic move is in line with Adani Enterprises' transformative journey from its origins as a commodities trader in 1988 to emerging as a dominant force across infrastructure, energy, and now, media.


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