Covering stories from blog.ad-ition.com and other relevant classified media news.

This episode’s covered news bits include a discussion on Cox and its purchase of Adify, a few words on the Newsday sale, KBB’s to 10 coolest vehicle list, and of course updates on the Microsoft/Yahoo! bid.

 

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written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Adify, Cablevision, Cox, Microsoft, newspaper podcast, podcast, Rupert Murdoch, Yahoo

There is no need to rephrase, reposition or re - anything. This TechCrunch article on the Microsoft Yahoo saga is perfect. Furthermore, I really don’t want to spend all week blogging about this and TechCrunch, tonight anyway, has just made it easier.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Microsoft, TechCrunch, Yahoo

We have been loosely following the Yahoo/Microsoft story, as we didn’t want to over saturate you with details of the saga. However, as we promised on our last podcast, and given the key date’s arrival and dismissal, we will keep you posted on our blog with hopes of keeping you current on what is going to happen next.

Well, as the Saturday April 26^th date marking the deadline for friendly negotiations between Yahoo and Microsoft has passed, today saw the stock of both companies fall. Shares of Yahoo closed at $26.43, off 1.38 percent from its Friday close. Microsoft shares closed at $28.99 per share, down about 3 percent from Friday’s close.

Our eMedia podcast laid out what Microsoft stated their next steps were going to be if Yahoo missed the friendly negations deadline; direct discussion with Yahoo shareholders or walk away from the deal completely.  No matter how you look at it, both options could have a negative effect for Jerry Yang and crew.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Microsoft, Publishers, Yahoo

A lot of negative press has surfaced pertaining to Yahoo!’s failing revenue performance in 2007, but what must be said about what they are now doing well, is their gaining mind share through all of their recent press activity.

The most recent update from Yahoo is that they now are testing an ad program that will temporarily carry Web search advertising from Google. Although Yahoo swears up and down that this by no means is a hint to a longer lasting deep relationship with Google, you can’t help but wonder what this will do the current Microsoft – Yahoo negotiations. Is this a play by Yahoo to show Microsoft that they are a valued partner to other search heavy weights in the market place? Will this prompt Microsoft to up its bid?

The Web search-advertising test will be limited to no more than 3% of Yahoo’s search queries and the test is scheduled for an ‘undetermined’ temporary time frame. During the test period, you will be able to see Google ads displayed alongside Yahoo search results performed in the US only.

In a related statement, the Yahoo board said it “is exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, including exploration of potential commercial business arrangements.” What I think they were really trying to say is, this move should make Microsoft wake up and see that their proposed $31 per share is, as they have been saying all along, way too low.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Google, Google Ads, Microsoft, Yahoo, Yahoo search

There have been many speculative news articles and blog posts covering the Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google saga, each with their own take of how the Microsoft bid for Yahoo will change the world. Up until now, I didn’t think any of those worthy of blogging (you, I am sure, have already read a lot on this topic, on your own), but last night I came across a blog post written by Google’s chief legal officer and then a retort from Microsoft’s legal counsel. Google, it seems, is taking the stance that Microsoft is looking to employ the same monopolistic behaviors with the internet that it once did with the PC and Microsoft, from what I can gather from the legal counsel response, indicates that with Google’s large search share, they are the once trying to control the Internet.

Something tells me this will be a long and drawn out ordeal, but if I was Yahoo! I would be feeling a little like the bell of the ball – “everyone wants to dance with me”

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Google, Microsoft, Search Monopoly, Yahoo

I tried tirelessly to blog about something else besides the Microsoft Yahoo bid, but I can’t seem to get away from it.

So, as many of you may already know, Microsoft made a bid for Yahoo late yesterday. Offering a whopping 45 billion to acquire the search mogul. For some, on face value this may appear odd, as Microsoft is third in the search game, being beaten by the obvious Google and Yahoo!. So, why is the third ranked search giants bid so attractive to Yahoo!? Their Monday earnings report should be a clear give away.

On Tuesday of this week, Yahoo! saw their stock price drop to a four year low. This was the cause of their Monday release, when they posted a lower than expected quarterly profit and announced the realignment of 1,000 jobs. To be exact, Yahoo! posted a 23% drop in revenue for Q4′ of 2007. With this, the timing appeared to be right for Microsoft to approach with the talk of acquisition. Note that this isn’t the first time this type of talk has spurred, but it definitely is the first time that the timing seemed right for both. As expected, since the announcement of Microsoft’s bid, Yahoo! shares have jumped by 48%.

Now the speculative part – what does this mean for publishers?

Many publishers have relationships with Yahoo! for either their automotive, employment or real estate categories. I suspect that these fronts will continue, but the possibility of adding on functionality will enhance - like Microsoft Live Expo.

If you are a publisher already facilitating an AdCenter (Microsoft) or Ad Network (Yahoo!) arrangement for your advertisers, you will probably soon be able to offer them the partnering network. Moreover, with the forces being joined, your advertisers may start to see better results than what they are accustom to with their Google AdWords program.

Not many of our publishers have delved into Social Networking to improve their products, but I guarantee you that if Microsoft and Yahoo! should join forces, it will be difficult to decline to dabble on the social front. Think Facebook!

It will be interesting to see how Google responds to this. I do find it funny that I haven’t heard anything from them. If anyone has a Google update pertaining to Microsoft’s bid to acquire Yahoo!, please post it here.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Microsoft, Publishers, Yahoo

Microsoft announced its 240 million dollar investment in Facebook, giving them a 1.6% stake in the company. During the assessment for the deal the total worth of Facebook was determined to be 15 billion dollars. In addition to the junior stake in the social networking company, Microsoft also won the rights to sell banners on Facebook internationally and beat out Google who was also vying for the opportunity.

It will be interesting to see how and if Microsoft uses this as leverage in the search and ad centre game. Hopefully, their steady decline of share in these areas will start to show some marginal growths – the opportunity to turn things around is definitely there.

written by Beverly Crandon \\ tags: Facebook, Microsoft