UBS Group has appointed Evan Raine as the new Head of Media and Telecom Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) for the Americas, effective April 14, 2025. Based in New York, Raine brings over 30 years of industry experience to the role, underscoring UBS's commitment to expanding its presence in the media and telecom sectors.

Prior to joining UBS, Raine served as Chief Financial Officer at Adams Outdoor Advertising, a company specializing in outdoor advertising solutions. Before that, he spent 14 years at Barclays, holding various leadership positions within the technology, media, and telecom M&A group. During his tenure at Barclays, Raine managed significant transactions for prominent companies such as Cox Media Group, Endeavor, Clear Channel, Univision, Verizon, and Sprint.

Jeff Hinton, UBS's global co-head of mergers and acquisitions, highlighted the strategic importance of this appointment in an internal memo, stating, "We are committed to expanding our client relationships and capabilities in this important sector." Hinton emphasized that the media and telecom industry represents a significant global fee opportunity for the firm.

Raine's appointment follows UBS's recent hiring of Ethan Sawyer as Global Head of Media from Guggenheim Securities in March 2025. These strategic hires indicate UBS's dedication to strengthening its advisory services and market presence in the media and telecom industries. The bank's previous global head of media and entertainment, Aly Alibhai, departed UBS to join Deutsche Bank as its new head of North America M&A last year.

The media and telecom sectors have been experiencing significant consolidation and transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer behaviors. UBS's strategic focus on these industries aligns with the broader trend of investment banks enhancing their capabilities to advise clients navigating complex M&A landscapes.

In August 2023, UBS announced a reshuffling of its technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) team, elevating bankers who joined earlier that year. This move was part of a broader strategy to grow its market share in dealmaking, especially in the United States. The bank appointed Laurence Braham, who joined from Barclays, as global co-head of technology, and Neil Meyer, also from Barclays, to co-lead media and communications dealmaking globally.

The appointment of Evan Raine is expected to enhance UBS's capabilities in advising on mergers and acquisitions within the media and telecom industries. Given Raine's extensive experience and track record with major industry players, his leadership is anticipated to attract new clients and strengthen existing relationships. This move aligns with UBS's broader strategy to capture a larger share of the global fee opportunities presented by the media and telecom sectors.

As UBS continues to bolster its leadership team with seasoned professionals, the bank positions itself to navigate the evolving landscape of media and telecom M&A, providing clients with comprehensive advisory services tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within these dynamic industries.