International IPO roadshow

The world’s largest-ever IPO in 2014

Our Investor Communications team managed complex logistics for a 10-city roadshow spanning the US, Asia, and the UK.

We provided planning and logistics, developed fully branded meeting spaces to enhance Alibaba Group’s international profile, and delivered a series of celebratory listing day events for the company’s ultra-high profile IPO.

Our team had to be flexible enough to accommodate and flawlessly execute a constantly changing roadshow schedule, with two teams of management and advisors on the road for parallel tours of meetings and events with investors prior to the listing.

Investor event production and environmental

Imagination advised on the most suitable branding and communications approach, leveraging high technology and powerful visual storytelling to bring Alibaba’s messaging to life. The eloquent story of the largest online and mobile commerce company was told across a 70-foot LED wall. High-impact branded walls helped highlight Alibaba’s key selling themes to investors in attendance.

Celebrating the listing

A listing celebration befitting the prestige and influence of the global internet giant rounded out Alibaba’s monumental IPO journey. More than 250 founders and employees travelled into New York City for an incredible three+ day experience. We hosted guests across three hotel properties and provided concierge support from departure in China through to return.

For the listing day reception, Cipriani 42nd Street was transformed into an e-commerce wonderland with theatrical lighting, graphics, bespoke furniture design, stunning floral arrangements, a tao doll display and eclectic cuisine. This formal networking opportunity for the company and sponsors included speeches and awards from a central stage and a gorgeous custom bar.

For the audience

We helped Alibaba engage a demanding global institutional investor audience by communicating the benefits of its “e-commerce ecosystem” in a manner appropriate for an IPO of this size, profile and stature.

The extensive two-team global roadshow maximised meeting opportunities for investors over the course of two weeks. With over 250 founders, friends, family, and business partners gathering to celebrate Alibaba’s listing in New York City, an unforgettable experience was had by key stakeholders in celebration of this milestone achievement.

For the brand

Unprecedented investor interest in the Alibaba story was generated, with the offering pricing at the top of its revised $66 – $68 pricing range. The company ultimately raised $25 billion, marking it as the largest IPO in history at the time (surpassing the Agricultural Bank of China, ICBC, AIA, GM and Visa IPOs, all of which Imagination supported as a roadshow consultant).

At its trading debut, massive interest and demand for Alibaba led to an opening price of $92.70, resulting in a market cap of $230 billion (more than Facebook, Amazon or eBay). Alibaba traded up over 30% on its first day of trading.