As the mobile device battles continue to rage across the globe, major player Samsung is quietly making changes that solidify its power base. Giving it more core strength in order to make a bigger push in the marketplace. Recently, NBC reported Samsung C&T shareholders agreed to a nearly $8 billion all-stock takeover offer leveled by Cheil Industries, Samsung’s de facto holding company. Both Samsung C&T and Cheil Industries lost some stock points after the decision was announced. Conversely, Samsung Electronics shot up 2 points.
NBC said the deal is part of a restructuring program by Samsung’s founding Lee family. It’s a power consolidation, not a power grab, but the bottom line may be the same: the Lee family is after an interest in Samsung’s myriad affiliates. Various news agencies are predicting the move is coming in preparation for a change in power at the very top. If that’s the case, according to New York entrepreneur Roman Temkin, “it could also be a harbinger for new and different news coming out of Samsung corporate headquarters.”
That news is beginning to take the form of speculation. Is Samsung about to make a major announcement? Will the new boss make major changes? Is there a focus or direction shift coming? What’s next for the innovator that has successfully stood toe to toe with the biggest bully in the industry?
While its brands are locked in what may be called a pitched stalemate with rival Apple, Samsung is looking for anything that may give it an edge in the marketplace. Anticipation can lead to excitement and, if played correctly, can be parlayed into quite a bump in the market. If Samsung allows that anticipation to whither on the vine it could become expectation, which would create an entirely new set of PR challenges. But if the company can build up excitement and then strike quickly, they may have enough momentum to shake out of the Rock Em Sock Em Robots slugfest and gain some real market traction.
