Marketing Pilgrim

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that everyone and their dog is talking about the fact that Microsoft is “officially” not interested in Yahoo! but it this actually a scenario people believe? Given the way things have unfolded up until this point, I’d definitely say that it is not the case.

Basically, we have two big companies playing cat & mouse and that’s about it. As I’ve mentioned on one of my previous guest posts here on MarketingPilgrim, we have two companies, one willing to buy at the right price and one willing to sell at the right price. And, since they seem to be unable to reach an agreement as far as that price is concerned, guess what they will do?

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According to sources close to the company, for example, Microsoft’s bankers had been putting out subtle signals to Facebook to see if it would be open to a full buyout.

Wow! What do you say about a rumor of that magnitude?

"On the rebound" comes to mind.

Remember when you were 13 years old–some of us need to think hard–and you had a crush on someone? It felt like a love that would never, ever go away. Then two days later, you had a new obsession.

Yeah, Microsoft’s that 13 year old looking for love.

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According to the WSJ Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said the company is not pursuing any other deals, after failing in its bid for Yahoo.

He said the company put "a lot of effort" in the talks with Yahoo and has decided they should pursue "our independent paths." "Now at this point Microsoft is focused on its independent strategy," Mr. Gates told reporters.

While you should keep in mind that the WSJ had to piece together a few tasty sound bites, in order to back up its angle–there’s no explicit "we’re not going to buy anyone, period" statement–you should also consider that Gates could be just plain lying.

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…or at least the company appears to be sporting a new look for its search engine.

What do you think? A superficial facelift to win some pride after backing out from Yahoo or perhaps a sign of renewed effort from Microsoft?

UPDATE: The Live Search team explain the details of the new design.

With this weekend’s news that Microsoft has withdrawn its offer to purchase Yahoo, the news media is having a field day analyzing the “if,” “ands”, and “buts.” Instead of regurgitating the same stuff, let’s take a look at the winners and losers here.

Losers

• Yahoo: It should have taken Microsoft’s increased offer. There were no other suitors in sight, and Google is hardly its best pick for a knight in shining armor. I don’t expect the market to be kind to Yahoo today, and I suspect employees are deflated, not elated.

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Well, that SOMETHING has finally happened, but no one is really willing to be much more specific than that. However, anonymous sources who apparently don’t know enough to give a hard number (or don’t want to get in trouble) say that Microsoft has increased its bid for Yahoo.

The AP reports that Microsoft’s price will now exceed its original offer of $44.6 billion ($31/share). Microsoft had lowered the offer to $42.4 billion, and its exact value has fluctuated with stock prices. However, Yahoo stockholders were rumored to be holding out for at least $35/share. Analysts have long predicted that the deal would come once the price came into the $32-35/share range.

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Raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing about the pending Google-Yahoo and/or Yahoo-Microsoft deals. All right, everyone who isn’t me—you’re excused from reading this post. Me—you still have to write it, even though now there’s no one left out there.

Somehow, it’s suddenly news again that Yahoo might do SOMETHING at SOME POINT. (Can you tell I’m not overly impressed?) Sources tell the WSJ that late yesterday, Microsoft was leaning toward a hostile bid. Moments ago, Reuters‘ sources say that Yahoo and Microsoft talks are intensifying to avoid a hostile takeover. Microsoft’s bid has allegedly gone up several dollars.

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In recent interview with CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo, Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt spoke out about his biggest concerns. Most pressing issue is the possible merger of Microsoft and Yahoo - which could happen as early as next week. Then there’s the problem of how to make money off YouTube – which is costing the company millions a year in hosting costs.

First, the tale of good (Google) and evil (Microsoft) and the fight over struggling Yahoo. In the interview, Schmidt talks up Yahoo’s strengths and warns about Microsoft’s evilness.

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As Microsoft weighs its acquisition options with Yahoo, it’s interesting that its board is pretty much leaving the decision to CEO Steve Ballmer. Could it be that Ballmer’s next move be the one that decides his future at Microsoft?

Ballmer really doesn’t face an easy option when it comes to his company’s takeover bid with Yahoo. There’s not a "no brainer" decision that he can opt for, and walk away with everyone smiling. Consider his choices:

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And so the Microhoo saga continues.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft plans to allocate $1.5 billion dollars to employee retention if the merger goes through. This is according to court documents in a shareholder lawsuit cited by the WSJ. According to CNET:

The documents include transcripts of a March 24 conference call hearing between attorneys for Yahoo and two Detroit-based pension funds. During the call, a Yahoo attorney noted Microsoft had informed the company that it “earmarked $1.5 billion for employee retention at Yahoo,” cites the Journal.

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Microsoft announced late yesterday the launch of a new mobile search offering—product search under their Live brand. Microsoft’s browser-based mobile product search, accessible from m.live.com

The Live product search page displays products available in online stores (though the “Near Santa Cruz, CA” in the screen cap below would indicate that brick-and-mortars are also searched), including prices, ratings and reviews. The search results also composite ratings on specific features of the products, including things such as ease of use, and report the results back to you.

A sample generic search results page:

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The weekend deadline for Yahoo to accept Microsoft’s buyout offer has passed, with no new news.

Now AP is speculating whether Microsoft is bluffing about its talk of abandoning its bid or if the software company might actually walk away from the deal.

The public remarks of Ballmer and Liddell could be just part of a negotiating ploy aimed at pressuring Yahoo to the negotiating table.

But some analysts think Microsoft would be smart to walk away now.

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