SAP announced to acquire the California based company SuccessFactors on Saturday afternoon CET. The SAP TV team was heavily involved in all preparation already since Thursday. Our task: Arranging the TV and Radio coverage with our co-CEOs Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann Snabe. Read the behind the scenes story and watch the final coverage.
Due to the fact, that there was no stock trading during the weekend and also most networks only running pre-recorded shows, we decided to offer Bill and Jim first to the TV outlets only on Monday.
First challenge: We could only reach out to our contacts at the networks after the news went public on Saturday afternoon German time. However we needed to arrange satellite trucks and to book satellite time quite ahead of time without even knowing if the TV channels were interested in taking our CEOs.
Second challenge: Jim was in Copenhagen on Monday and had only some hours before he took a flight to attend the German IT Summit in Munich, where we built another satellite setup for Tuesday morning. For the live broadcasts on Monday, we had to arrange a satellite setup in the SAP Copenhagen office over the weekend. I flew to Denmark already on Sunday to make sure everything is on place, while my colleague Michael Nuesslein contacted all TV and Radio colleagues from Walldorf. Even late Sunday night, we did not have a final TV schedule. A lot of the decision makers of the networks were only starting their shift early morning on Monday. However CNBC, Bloomberg and Reuters had confirmed their slots with us.
At 5 am Monday morning we built up the setup in the Copenhagen office and established the satellite connections to London, Cologne and Mumbai. Jim arrived at 6:45 am.
Third challenge: Bill flew back from Germany to the US directly after the announcement on Saturday night. Our colleague Sam Juneau in New York had to arrange a satellite truck in the US, where Bill was supposed to be Monday morning. Until late Sunday afternoon though, it was not clear if we would broadcast live from Newtwown Square or from San Mateo in California, where the headquarters of SuccessFactors are.
After several meetings late Sunday the team decided to broadcast Bill live from the US headquarters in Newtown Square starting at 7 am EST. We arranged an additional satellite truck in San Mateo, where the headquarters of SuccessFactors are, and included Bill virtually into the employee meeting lead by SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard in California. This opened another opportunity: We could offer Bloomberg West both Bill and Lars for their show "The Lead" - Bill live via satellite from Newtown Square, PA Lars live via satellite from San Mateo, CA.
A quite busy day, see the outcome below.
First Time: SAP co-CEO Bill McDermott and SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard Live on Bloomberg West
Bloomberg TV, “Bloomberg West,” December 5, 2011
For the first time ever, SAP co-CEO Bill McDermott and SuccessFactors CEO Lars Dalgaard appear together live on television. The two CEO’s joined Bloomberg West to discuss the synergies and complimentary cultures of the two software leaders. McDermott stresses the importance of a viable cloud strategy while Dalgaard explains why SAP makes sense for the cloud computing leader.
CNBC Europe, “Squawk Box, December 5, 2011
In a “first on” interview with CNBC Squawk Box Europe SAP co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe talked to about the rational and the impact of the acquisition of cloud provider SuccessFactors. "The price is definitely the right price", Snabe answered when asked if the price wasn’t too high. "We are becoming a powerhouse for the cloud", Snabe said. The interview was picked up several times during the day by other CNBC shows such as “Worldwide Exchange”.
Reuters TV, December 5, 2011
Talking to Reuters tech correspondent Matt Cowen SAP co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe told the network that SuccessFactors has the world’s best HCM solution in the cloud and that they are the fastest growing company in the cloud. Therefore it is a perfect fit for SAP, Snabe said, giving SAP “additional opportunities for synergies that no one else could have”. “We will be a powerhouse in the cloud”, Snabe underlined the growth strategy of SAP.
CNN International, “Quest Means Business,” December 5, 2011
In a live interview, SAP co-CEO Bill McDermott spoke with Max Foster on CNN International’s “Quest Means Business.” McDermott focuses on leadership in a down economy – real leaders look to the future and invest in innovation. The SAP CEO also talks about cloud security and tells CNN’s international audience that SuccessFactors is the number one cloud solution provider in HCM.
Bloomberg TV, "Countdown", December 5, 2011
Talking to Bloomberg TV “Countdown” with Linzie Janis and Mark Barton SAP Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe stated that with the acquisition of cloud provider SuccessFactors SAP will be a top player in this fast growing market. "The opportunity to drive growth and innovation for our customers is tremendous", Snabe told the network. The interview was picked up several times during the day by other Bloomberg TV shows such as “The Pulse” and others.
Fox Business, “Countdown to the Closing Bell,” December 5, 2011
In a live interview with Liz Claman, anchor of “After the Closing Bell,” Bill McDermott talks about the true value of SuccessFactors. The SAP CEO tells Claman the 3.4 Billion USD acquisition gives the software giant an adrenaline shot in the cloud. McDermott also talked European profits in a down economy and why SAP continues to grow.
ET Now India, December 5, 2011
In an interview with Indian business network ET Now, SAP Co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe stressed the importance of getting the best talents and by acquiring SuccessFactors, SAP did exactly that.
excerpt)
N24, December 5, 2011
In a report about the SuccessFactors acquisition German network N24 featured SAP co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe. Snabe explained the additional value that SAP will bring to its customers with the acquisition stressing that SAP will be a top player in this highly competitive market. The segment was re-used throughout the day in various programs. (German language)
n-tv, December 5, 2011
Talking to German business network n-tv, SAP co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe says that the price for the acquisition is reasonable taking into account that Successfactors is the fastest-growing company in cloud business. The interview was repeated several times throughout the whole day. (German language)
ARD German Radio, December 5, national wide all major channels
German national Radio Network ARD reported about SAP’S acquisition of SuccessFactors. The report includes an interview with SAP co-CEO Jim Hagemann Snabe. Snabe underlined the importance of offering secure and stable solutions in the cloud – that’s why acquiring SuccessFactors was the right choice for SAP. Excerpts of the interview with Jim Hagemann Snabe were broadcasted Germany-wide in all major National Radio Stations throughout the whole day. (German language)
Listen to ARD radio. Open MP3 (DE).
SWR TV, local German channel, December 5
Talking to German regional Radio Network SWR, Hubertus Kuelps, Head of Global Communications, SAP AG says that SAP is positioning itself perfectly in this market segment. With the Acquisition of Successfactors SAP will accelerate growth tremendously, Kuelps stated.
Hubertus Kuelps on SWR Radio. Open MP3 (DE).
