Microsoft to Yahoo Shareholders: Fire Jerry And We Might Bid Again*

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kevinjohnson.jpg

UPDATE: Microsoft says this story is the result of a translation issue and that nothing has changed (i.e., per Microsoft, Kevin Johnson didn't say what Bloomberg is saying he said.)

EARLIER: A long game of press telephone is reporting that Microsoft honcho Kevin Johnson said Microsoft may consider making another bid for Yahoo if Yahoo's management changes. Translation: "Hey, Yahoo shareholders, Fire Jerry and the board at the shareholder meeting, and we might ease your pain."

Important to note that this is:

  • Not a direct quote
  • A Bloomberg write-up of a Financial Times Deutschland story
  • Kevin Johnson comments may have been made in English and translated into German and back into English, leaving all kinds of room for interpretation. In the second paragraph of the Bloomberg write-up, for example (see below), Johnson is said to have said that Microsoft intends to be No. 1 in search. If he actually said this, he has not only significantly increased Microsoft's search ambitions, he's delusional.

We're requesting further info. But in the meantime...

By Andreas Hippin
June 23 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. may make a new bid
for Yahoo! Inc. if Yahoo's management changes, Financial Times
Deutschland reported, citing Kevin Johnson, head of the
software maker's Platform & Services unit.

Microsoft plans to strengthen its online advertising
business with smaller targeted acquisitions, the newspaper
quoted Johnson as saying. In the long run Microsoft wants to be
number one in search-engine advertising, FTD reported, citing
Johnson.

 



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30 Comments

usbworks said:
Microsoft needs to fire Kevin Johnson. He's out on a limb.

Certainly is a strange way to send a message, if that's what he's doing. I suspect he's been mis-paraphrased...

rags said:
This is absurd.

The idea that Microsoft would bid again for the Yahoo wreckage? I don't think so. Too early, which is why this report doesn't make sense, but by Q4, if Yahoo blows Q2 and cuts estimates, they would be welcomed with open arms.

Sebastian said:
It's "Deutschland", not "Deutscheland". ;)

I think it's time for Microsoft to fire all executives that are responsible for the current MSN/Windows Live-mess. And yes, that likely includes Ballmer.

It's not rocket science to manage the monopoly they have, so it wouldn't be a problem to get rid of him. But it _is_ rocket science to build up a big, profitable internet business. So get somebody to do it - somebody from the outside, somebody with start-up experience.
If you look at serial entrepreneurs, I can just recommend to hire some folks from the PayPal mafia.

TomP said:
Jerry Yang is an absolute menace to Yahoo shareholders. MSFT made a stellar offer of $33 and change and Powermonger Yang turned it down because he wouldn't know what to dow ith himself.
He doesn't have shareholders best interests in mind-He has his best interests in mind!! FIRE HIM!!

"We need Yahoo."
"We don't need Yahoo, just a bit of it."
"We don't need Yahoo at all."
"Actually, we're still sort of interested."

I fully expect some bull now about how they don't really need it but will buy it and use parts to bolster their own efforts.

With the only cool product to come out of Microsoft recently (PhotoSynth) also being bought in, I really do wonder what is happening with all that R&D money that Microsoft is spending. Or maybe senior management just doesn't have any faith in their own ability to deliver.

Wolke Snow said:
Here's the FTD German original:
http://www.ftd.de/technik/it_telekommunikation/:Kampf%20Yahoo%20Microsoft%20Hintert%FCr/376476.html

First paragraph (by FTD): ... he did not want to EXCLUDE that MSFT would bid again after a change in leadership.

Second paragraph (Johnson quote): It's currently difficult to speculate. That's something that Yahoo, Jerry Yang, its shareholders and its board have to resolve first.

6th paragraph (Johnson quoted again): Yahoo only a partial solution, mostly for US.

Stefan said:
Must be a translation issue? Can't wait to see if Financial Times makes a correction. This reminds me of this: http://www.blahblahfish.com :)

Thanks, Wolke. Very helpful. And, yes, will be interesting to see if a correction, though it sounds as though Bloomberg took some poetic license.

Jeff McCord (URL) said:
We've been covering this story for a few months (the on again and off again) and I really can't believe this is the latest update.

Yahoo just recently said they were done w/ any more talks. Clearly, Microsoft feels differently.

This will be interesting when Yahoo has their board meeting.

Gerry said:
I suspect that someday MSoft will be grateful for Yahoo's having spurned its offer. Internet Ad Revenue is to revenue as Ethanol is to Gas. Both sounded like a good idea for awhile.

Jimmy Dell said:
Frankly, I hope that executives at Microsoft get up in the morning and have the "delusion" that they can be number one in search if they have they have the right strategy, just like Apple had the delusion they could be number one in digital music when they started behind everyone else (and yes, they did enter the market late). People come back from behind all the time in this industry, unless you have some emotional investment in Microsoft failing, the only delusion is to write them off. As for the conflicting messages about Yahoo, the best way to become number two right now is to destabilize Yahoo's ability to execute by continuing to hit them where they're most vulnerable, which is in their relationship with their investors. This sort of constant FUD means that Jerry is going to be watching his back rather than looking forward, which means he's certain to be fired sooner or later.

Thomas said:
anyone else get the sense that KJ is not the guy you want in the 4th quarter of Microsoft v. Google?

pasan said:
I'm not impressed with Yahoo or KJ --- they both seem like sinking ships.

Chan said:
I don't see anything wrong in what Kevin said. MS did bid and it didn't work, so they are saying change the management team and we will bid again. I see the story headlines was twisted to sound like a negative comment but that is the logical thing to say. You all can crib about MS, but with the range of products that they have and the kind of money that they make, I still think they have the best leaders. I would love to see MS taking over Yahoo at some time.

hans struys said:
Yahoo wants to buy Yahoo at a price around 31 USD (they never got throw the price door....). So we wait and offer our share after the 1 august. Otherwise we see maybe this stock price in a time range of 5 - 10 years (or never again....).
Microsoft - Yahoo it's a win -win situation!
MicroHoo it make sence (it good for Microsoft and Yahoo). It's a powerfull combination against Google.

gil castro said:
One way that Msft can be a contender is either give a major disruption on Yhoo's BOD and Mr. Yang in giving the company a chance to improve its earnings. The poorer Yhoo performs the more likelihood Msft going back to the bargaining table.

jkellynewyork said:
why would it suprise anyone that Microsoft would rebid for yahoo. Microsift has wanted yahoo for a coupld of years now, has gone through great lengths to get it, and it probably has a good chance to get it if they let yahoo shareholders know they would come in with a new bid

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morgana (URL) said:
640-802 Microsoft to Yahoo Shareholders: Fire Jerry And We Might Bid Again* No need! I want to make sure that I get it straight. I'm just kidding.

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