Daily Marauder

ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA

Yahoo is rejecting Microsoft’s $44.6 billion takeover bid, saying the offer “substantially undervalues” the company. The move could force Microsoft to instigate a shareholder revolt to get its prize. The software giant says that it “reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps.” (http://bigtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2008/02/11/yahoos-forcing-microsoft-to-play-hardball  2/11)

Yahoo is announcing a takeover of its own: Maven Networks, a major player in the burgeoning online video marketplace. Maven distributes online video content from more than 30 major media companies, including Fox News, Sony BMG, CBS Sports, Hearst, Gannett, and Scripps. (http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=76328  2/12)

Yahoo is premiering an online tech show, “Tech Ticker,” covering Silicon Valley business — including its own saga involving Microsoft’s takeover bid. “Tech Ticker” is hosted by BusinessWeek “Valley Girl” columnist Sarah Lacy and former TheStreet.com reporter Aaron Task. (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/11/BU53V028M.DTL  2/11)

Google lost ground in the U.S. Internet advertising market for the first time in two years during 2007 due to slower growth in the fourth quarter, according to IDC. The decline, despite continued strong growth in Internet advertising, could spell opportunity for rivals such as Microsoft. (http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/02/12/Google-ad-share-drops-for-first-time-in-two-years_1.html  2/12)

Few big media companies are signing syndication deals with YouTube. But some analysts believe the media giants may one day be forced to sing another tune. Says JupiterResearch analyst Bobby Tulsiani: “The premium content guys need YouTube more than YouTube needs them.” (http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/interactive/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003708935  2/11)

Actress/author Jenny McCarthy is joining Leah Remini and Chelsea Handler for the second season of the Web comedy series “In the Motherhood.” The show, conceived by Sprint, Suave and MindShare Entertainment, is set to return to MSN later this month. (http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/02/11/jenny_mccarthy_to_co-star_in_web_series/4785  2/11)

Any web series prominently displaying branded logos usually sponsors acid reflux, but I must admit, this one is pretty funny.

Facing competition from other e-commerce sites and a revolt from its top sellers, eBay is lowering listing fees on media sold on its site, including books, music, movies and video games. Now, rather than paying 60 cents to list a media item costing $10 to $25, sellers will pay 35 cents. (http://www.latimes.com/technology/la-fi-ebay12feb12,1,3475636.story  2/12)

(Below) Don’t they have three strikes rules for drug offenders?  I’m against media piracy as much as the next girl, but this seems a bit. . .intense.

U.K. citizens who go online and illegally download music and films may have their Internet access cut under plans the government is considering. Under a “three strikes” rule they would receive an e-mail warning, suspension, and then termination of their service. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7240234.stm  2/12)

Newser.com, the online news aggregator launched in October by Vanity Fair media columnist Michael Wolff, is “completely on plan,” he says. The site’s new user-created threads let surfers build a clip file on any subject. Newser’s goal is to be “among top news sites in 24 months.” (http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2008/02/12/wolff-on-newser-launch-completely-on-plan  2/12)

San Francisco based HotOrNot, founded by James Hong and Jim Young in October 2000, has been acquired, we’ve heard from multiple sources.   The buyers are investors connected with Avid Life Media, and paid somewhere around $20 million for the site. Hong and and Young have been taking money out of the very profitable business all along the way - which we reported was another $20 million or in May 2007. HotOrNot never raised outside funding. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/11/hotornot-apparently-very-hot-acquired-for-20-million  2/11)