Yahoo Finally Deigns to Meet With Microsoft
Microsoft did make one thing clear, though: Microsoft won't even consider raising its bid until it "gets a close look at Yahoo's books," the WSJ says. Translation? Same as it ever was: Come to the table for real and we'll talk.
It's possible that Yahoo agreed to this meeting just to cover its posterior (hard to defend lawsuits alleging that you're breaching fiduciary duty when you won't even meet with the company offering you the best deal). More likely, however, the meeting represents a thawing of the Yahoo-Microsoft ice. For the sake of both companies, we hope it soon leads to more formal negotiations.
Time is working against both companies here: As the economy deteriorates, the outlook for Yahoo's near-term performance gets worse, and the worse Yahoo's performance gets, the more leverage Microsoft has. At Microsoft, meanwhile, the deal purgatory is likely causing anxiety within the Internet division, as executives wonder which "redundancies" will be eliminated.
See Also: Yahoo Disaster Scenario: Blowing Q1
It is with great pleasure that I share with you the very exciting news that Microsoft and Rapt have entered into an agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Rapt.
§ For Rapt employees, this validates their hard work in perfecting the tools and techniques that have become ‘must have’ solutions for digital media companies
§ For Rapt investors, this reaffirms Rapt’s strategic value and rewards them for their commitment and capital in building the company over the last many years
§ For Rapt alliance partners, this provides an opportunity to expand upon existing technology and service relationships
§ Most importantly, for current and future Rapt clients, access to the considerable resources of Microsoft will lead to a more robust product set, enhanced services, and even greater value creation for their businesses
Rapt will become part of Microsoft Advertiser Publisher Solutions (APS) and will continue to be headquartered in San Francisco under my leadership through this transition. In Microsoft, Rapt has found a strong platform from which to build out its technology and services footprint. In Microsoft APS, Rapt has found a like-minded partner, one who shares our commitment to enabling publishers, advertisers, and agencies to compete more effectively in the evolving digital media marketplace.
Rapt and Microsoft will work together to put the needs of publishers first. To that end, we will maintain integration with all proprietary and third-party systems that Rapt customers already have in place. We’re committed to making sure this acquisition results in the continued and enhanced delivery of value to our customers’ businesses.
The integration of Rapt’s solutions into the Atlas Publisher Suite will result in innovative products and features that will benefit the industry as a whole. Moving forward, Rapt’s clients who choose to work with Microsoft in a broader way – as a one-stop shop for their online advertising needs – will see particular benefits from seamless integration of our technology and team into Microsoft APS.
There is much work ahead for both the Rapt and Microsoft APS teams in making good on the promise of this union, and I look forward to keeping you abreast of our progress. Rapt representatives will be reaching out to each of you in the coming days to share more details on this exciting development. In the meantime, feel free to contact me or other members of the team with any questions you might have.
Best Regards,
Tom Chavez
Founder, President, and CEO
Rapt Inc.
Could it be that they kept the bankers out so that they didn't have to file with the SEC?
What do you think Henry?
That's what we're hearing it was about... vision.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/yahoo-microsoft-met-informal-talks/story.aspx?guid=%7B778A285B%2DF7FB%2D48E7%2DAD9A%2DCEB98E77CAB5%7D&siteid=yhoof
Come to think about it, that was an exceptionally tactful way for MSFT to approach Yang. Had I been MSFT, I wouldn't even have wanted to talk the financial terms of the deal at this meeting. I've have shown Yang my soft unprotected under-belly, hands out, palms up.
Turn him... that's what I'd have done... turn him, steer him toward the light, gently now... slowly... it's a lot to take in so you must feed the birdie s-l-o-w-l-y... Before it's over your hearts and his must beat as one, both beating in rhythm with the m-i-s-s-i-o-n.
It's a waltz. Take his hand. Show him... convince him... make him a brother in the blood.
It's a revolutionary new MSFT that they're trying to sell Yang on. They need him and his employees to be fully on board in mind, body and spirit.
thhzNnkkssss ,i'm glodsad you liekj. it ?
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