Marketing Pilgrim

Don’t you just hate it when someone doesn’t know they’re dead? Lycos Europe insists that it’s feeling much better after spending the last two years in come back attempts, the clearance rack and, finally, utter oblivion. Yes, they think they’ll go for a walk now!

At least that’s what TechCrunch reports from Lycos execs. In addition to regaining the European rights to trademarks on “Lycos” and “Hotbot” (holy 1996, Batman!), Lycos is making a for European domination to rival a nineteenth-century tyrant.

Only, you know, a lot less popular than Napoleon.

Lycos CEO Jungwook Lim says, “Lycos continues to have a loyal user base and we expect this consolidation to help revitalize and strengthen our search businesses within Europe.” And Edward Noel, General Manager of Search and Business Development for Lycos, is in on the act, too:

Over the next several weeks Lycos will be re-launching the provision of search services within the European territory. Locally targeted content verticals will gradually be rolled out and we will be taking steps to enhance our users’ search experience.

Sounds all too familiar, doesn’t it?

Oh, I get it—they’re on an alternate timeline, aren’t they? The one where Yahoo bought Google way back when and Lycos still has market share in Europe. Or anyone else.

What do you think? Does Lycos have a “loyal user base” or is this a case of wishful “if I say it, maybe it’ll come true”?