One of tech and media's biggest investment bankers expects 2019 to be a year of innovation in audio, 5G and space tech - here's the full memo

Becky Peterson

Dec 18, 2018, 01:00 IST

One of tech and media's biggest investment bankers expects 2019 to be a year of innovation in audio, 5G and space tech - here's the full memo

Aryeh B. Bourkoff told colleagues that "unpredictability" is the only constant looking forward to 2019.

LionTree Advisors founder and tech, media and telecom banker Aryeh B. Bourkoff warned employees to "brace themselves" for a year of uncertainty, looking forward to 2019.
In his annual letter to LionTree staff, Bourkoff highlighted market turmoil and global politics as factors which will require industry leaders to be agile, curious and able to "self-correct" over the next 12 months.
But there are also plenty of positive industry trends to look forward to, he said.
He expects to see new products and experiments in the video space from industry leaders like Disney and Warner Media, a ripple effect from developments in 5G mobile technology, and the emergence of new space technologies.

LionTree founder and renowned tech, media and telecom banker Aryeh B. Bourkoff is urging his colleagues to "brace themselves" against impending instability.

"The New Year promises unpredictability as the only constant," he wrote in a year end letter to LionTree staff on Monday. "The future does not make promises to the present and demands only that we prepare for it diligently and imagine it boldly."

The markets, Bourkoff wrote, have proven to be both strong and turbulent. While this is challenging for many of LionTree's clients, Bourkoff said he sees the market volatility as "a healthy correction."

"The top priority for leaders across industries will be to address this paradox of strong fundamentals and ambient unease - and to do so with kindness, humility, curiosity, and the ability to self-correct that comes from teaching and learning simultaneously," he wrote.

Though there is much uncertainty on the international political stage, Bourkoff believes that political turmoil in the US that has marked the past two years will have less impact on the economy in 2019 and 2020 as a new mix in Congress enhances the likelihood of legislative gridlock.

Things to watch: 5G, eSports, and space travel

Macroeconomics aside, Bourkoff also shared his predictions for which TMT trends will take off in 2019.

The hottest issues next year will be the battle in the direct-to-consumer video space, major developments in mobile thanks to 5G, new innovations in voice and audio technologies, and swift developments in emerging industries like eSports and space technology, he said.

It will be a "pivotal" year for companies like Disney and Warner Media in the direct-to-consumer video space. Bourkoff expects to see new products and experimentation from big players as they gear up to compete against the Netflix's of the world.

Bourkoff also expects to see new opportunities in audio, particularly around voice-based commerce and advertising.

Outside of devices, a whole new market is developing around space tech where he expects to see many long-term projects start coming to fruition.

"The possibilities are dizzying: passenger space travel, instantaneous delivery and universal connectivity via satellite and the prospect of point-to-point networks," he said.