Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Some analysts say that the $40 billion Microsoft is prepared to pay to acquire Yahoo might be better spent in other ways. Driving the view is the perception that Yahoo is a “dying business.” Also, a combined Microsoft-Yahoo still might not be an effective challenger to Google. (http://www.nypost.com/seven/02242008/business/microsoft_holders__yahoo__40b_a_joke_99003.htm 2/24)
Two Detroit pension funds are suing Yahoo, accusing the company of breaching its fiduciary duty by trying to squash a deal with Microsoft. “Yahoo’s ‘Just Say No to Microsoft’ approach” does not represent a “good faith focus on maximizing shareholder value,” the lawsuit says. (http://www.thestreet.com/s/pension-funds-sue-yahoo-over-microsoft-offer/newsanalysis/technet/10404683.html 2/22)
News Corp.’s Fox Interactive Media is rumored to be in negotiations with Microsoft take Google’s place as the advertising partner on MySpace. Google co-founder Sergey Brin’s recent thinly veiled “buyer’s remorse” reportedly angered execs at News Corp. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/25/fox-exploring-termination-of-google-advertising-deal 2/25)
A deadline for Google to turn over documents in Viacom’s $1 billion copyright lawsuit against the Web search leader is being extended by two months by a federal judge. Google’s attorneys say they are wading through 4.5 million documents: “It’s a daunting task.” (http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2262726720080223 2/22)
As Google looks to monetize YouTube, television could be the next industry to become Internet roadkill. If Google succeeds in marrying advertising to online video, broadcasters could find themselves in a bind similar to newspaper publishers. (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120389566416389289.html 2/25)
Seattle-based Getty Images struck a deal with Lionsgate to license its library of film scores and soundtracks to third parties, beginning with the score for 3:10 to Yuma and followed by music from Madmen, Weeds, Crash and Monster’s Ball. The deal is the first in what Gettyimages.com hopes will be an expansion of its commercial music platform, already strong in alternative music.
Go to AOL‘s fashion site Stylelist.com today for Joan and Melissa Rivers post-Oscar video commentary on who wore what and how well they wore it.
Sports Illustrated says its multimedia Swimsuit edition garnered more than 228 million page views during its first 10 days online (an increase of 41% from 2007). The digital spread set new standards for traffic, engagement (over 6 minutes per user), page views per user (31) and overall unique visitors (5.4 million), according to internal Omniture figures. New features include a mash-up tool that allows users to mix images of 4 or their favorite models.
CBS is reporting an increase of 92% in monthly uniques for its music-themed social networking site Last.fm since the site launched its free on demand music service, supplied by all 4 major music labels. CBS claims Last.fm now receives more than 21 million users worldwide per month.
I take any opportunity to promote my favorite artist.
Veteran media exec Dean Valentine is unveiling Comedy.com, a new comedy Web site that promises to house the largest jokes database on the Internet, as well as a slate of original stand-up comedy performances. The site is being funded by the San Francisco-based Walden VC. (http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=UPN022208.htm 2/22)
Their tag line: Your daily dose of funny. Really?!?! That’s the best they’ve got. Immediate thumbs down from me and I didn’t even have to watch the content. Don’t say I’m being judgmental. A site only has a few seconds to grab a consumer before she clicks away to somewhere else on the interweb.
Adobe Systems’ new AIR software will let people access their PC data when they are away from their desk, not only blurring the line between PCs and the Internet but also between PCs and smartphones. AIR faces significant competition as it is part of a wave of new software that moves information off the desktop and into the Internet through a browser. (The New York Times 2/25)
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