John Battelle reports that Microsoft was actually offering more money than Google was for Doubleclick and that Doubleclick went with Google anyway.
I heard the same things about Flickr. Rumors are that Flickr’s owners turned down AOL’s money, instead going for a lower amount from Yahoo. I never confirmed those rumors, but they were pretty consistent at the time.
Why would a company do that?
I can think of a few reasons.
1) Better cultural fit. I’ve seen that some employees are real jerks during negotiations and can sour a suitor on that person’s company.
2) Better reputation of main company. If you were a baseball player would you rather play for the New York Yankees or the Chicago Cubs? Especially if your goal is to win the World Series?
3) Better deal for employees. Free lunches? More stock options? Fewer relocations? Fewer potential layoffs?
4) Better business deal long term (stock price of one company might have more upside, for instance, which would sweeten the potential deal longterm).
5) More influence in industry by going with one company (one company might offer founders better positions, or more trips with corporate founders, etc).
6) Founders might like location of one company’s headquarters better than others (Silicon Valley offers techies a lot more economic opportunities than Seattle does, for instance, not to mention better weather).
Can you think of some reasons?
Oh, and John’s interview of Microsoft’s main lawyer is real interesting too. Especially the justifications for asking the DOJ to get involved in the deal.
I wonder when we’ll see an in-game advertising engine for Xbox? Probably not until after the DOJ gets involved, huh? Might remind folks that Microsoft still has billions of dollars in advertising revenues.
@51 There’s a difference between annual rainfall in inches and # of cloudy/rainy days. I’m guessing the # of cloudy/rainy days is higher in Seattle than NYC.
@51 There’s a difference between annual rainfall in inches and # of cloudy/rainy days. I’m guessing the # of cloudy/rainy days is higher in Seattle than NYC.
@51 There’s a difference between annual rainfall in inches and # of cloudy/rainy days. I’m guessing the # of cloudy/rainy days is higher in Seattle than NYC.
@53, Yes. IIRC seattle has an average 244 cloudy days. NYC (and almost all others) have much less cloudy days.
@53, Yes. IIRC seattle has an average 244 cloudy days. NYC (and almost all others) have much less cloudy days.
@53, Yes. IIRC seattle has an average 244 cloudy days. NYC (and almost all others) have much less cloudy days.
[...] Could it be because of it was a better cultural fit, reputation, or was it for the employees as Robert Scoble points out? 1) Better cultural fit. I’ve seen that some employees are real jerks during [...]
Another factor that might come into play, is the fact that DoubleClick and Google both share the same building in New York. This makes things that much more convenient for the merger. The question I have is “Why wouldn’t Helman & Friedman want more money from Microsoft?” Once they sellaren’t they out of the picture?
Another factor that might come into play, is the fact that DoubleClick and Google both share the same building in New York. This makes things that much more convenient for the merger. The question I have is “Why wouldn’t Helman & Friedman want more money from Microsoft?” Once they sellaren’t they out of the picture?
Another factor that might come into play, is the fact that DoubleClick and Google both share the same building in New York. This makes things that much more convenient for the merger. The question I have is “Why wouldn’t Helman & Friedman want more money from Microsoft?” Once they sellaren’t they out of the picture?
[...] Using unexplained cultural anecdotes to make a point. This is probably less common, but can be the most bewildering. Culture-specific references (i.e. something that assumes a knowledge of local geography, sport, politics, whatever) can be necessary when discussing some topics, and when properly explained can make almost any topic more interesting. However if the story makes absolutely no sense to a good chunk of your readers, it’s not really helping with your point. [...]
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptUsing unexplained cultural anecdotes to make a point. This is probably less common, but can be the most bewildering. Culture-specific references (ie something that assumes a knowledge of local geography, sport, politics, whatever) can … [...]
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptunknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’sa quick excerptUsing unexplained cultural anecdotes to make a point. This is probably less common, but can be the most bewildering. Culture-specific references (ie something that assumes a … [...]
[...] Administrator wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptUsing unexplained cultural anecdotes to make a point. This is probably less common, but can be the most bewildering. Culture-specific references (ie something that assumes a knowledge of local geography, sport, politics, whatever) can … [...]
[...] sale will sail (hehe) through by comparison to what would have happened if MS had won the bidding.http://scobleizer.com/2007/04/22/doubleclick-turned-down-microsoft-money/Google Finance: sanofi-aventis (ADR)Why did it drop from 48 to under 47 over the weekend? I don’t. [...]
dont want a monopoly from one player
dont want a monopoly from one player