Comments on: ‘Micro-Hoo’ the Local Angle

By: G.Simon

G.Simon — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 18:31:35 +0000

Yahoo by Microsoft. YahMic! YahMic! YahMic!

By: Local Angle on Microsoft-Yahoo! « Screenwerk

Local Angle on Microsoft-Yahoo! « Screenwerk — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:24:15 +0000

[...] Angle on Microsoft-Yahoo! My “Locals Only” column today elaborates on my preliminary thinking about the local aspects of the Microsoft bid and the challenges [...]

By: Greg Sterling

Greg Sterling — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 13:19:05 +0000

I had always thought, because of the relationship and their largely complementary assets, that AT&T was the logical strategic investor or buyer. However, the amount and timing of the MSFT bid and the fact that it would represent about 20% of AT&T’s overall value makes it hard for AT&T to now respond (very quickly) with a competitive offer.

But you can bet that Yang & Co. are scrambling for strategic alternatives for many reasons — including because they have an obligation to do so for the board, as much as they have an obligation to consider this offer very seriously.

Silicon Alley Insider discusses would-be private equity “white knights” that may be in the picture: http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/02/hold-everything-we-may-get-another-yhoo-bidder.html

By: Kevin Heisler

Kevin Heisler — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:15:20 +0000

Excellent point by Cohn: AT&T would have a tough time justifying the deal in the short run. Even if they could afford the deal, their stock would likely suffer in the near term. Even MSFT took a hit — and was roundly criticized for being a “dinosaur” due to their inability to succeed online.

Andrew - I love the concept, though. No question the long-term consequences of not doing the deal will cost the telcos and IYPs dearly. Unfortunately, the Street judges CEOs on a quarterly basis.

A visionary leader could sell the deal to his board - but he better have a golden parachute if the integration plan doesn’t fly. He’d either go down as the greatest leader in telco history — or just go down.

Hard to imagine a CEO who’d be willing to risk a kamikaze strategy.

By: Microsoft eyes Yahoo to topple Google | Local Search Solutions Blog

Microsoft eyes Yahoo to topple Google | Local Search Solutions Blog — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:53:37 +0000

[...] The local angle, on Screenwerk [...]

By: HedgeFundBoy

HedgeFundBoy — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:00:31 +0000

MSFT Virtual Earth is def better then Yahoo Maps. Love the Birds Eye View stuff which Yahoo doesn’t have. Yahoo Local is better local search. HotJobs, Yahoo Autos and Yahoo Real Estate are all def better then what MSN has. Most of the time, MSN has just partnered with aggregators.

By: cohn

cohn — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:04:04 +0000

Great question Local SEO Guide!

Size is the enemy of speed.

We will soon see if AT&T / partners? can make
their way to the table.

Wouldn’t the deal be a little rich for AT&T’s blood?

By: Microhoo & Local Search

Microhoo & Local Search — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:28:22 +0000

[...] on YSoft local from Greg Sterling and a great MSN/Yahoo SEO analysis of the deal from Aaron [...]

By: Greg Sterling

Greg Sterling — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:03:53 +0000

I think AT&T is potentially and there are probably meetings and number crunching and telephone calls going on at the moment. There’s going to be some sort of deal. The only question is who/whom?

By: Local SEO Guide

Local SEO Guide — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:51:03 +0000

Is AT&T a potential interloper on this deal? Maybe I’ve got too much local on the brain but if I were a big YP player I’d want access to those users and those advertisers. I don’t know if I could execute but I’d be freaking out at the consolidation and doing the math on how much I am going to have to pay these guys over the next decade to service my advertisers. It might not add up to $31 billion but it’s still going to be a big check.