In
2009, Microsoft and Yahoo had finally come to an agreement, after
seeming eternal on and off negotiations, to join forces launching their
new searcher, for a period of 10 years. The media then had baptised them
Microhoo! This is a bit premature and exaggerated, as these two giants
have not joined companies, only that Yahoo would be using the Microsoft
Bing and included the publicity, a considerable challenge for Google. At
that time, Yahoo and Microsoft had, in the US, 28% of the searches, and
Google 65%.
Yahoo
wanted to concentrate more in developing in other areas with more valid
and solid contents to offer to their 300 million visitors monthly. Some
share-holders of Yahoo were surprised that Yahoo should "give away free
milk instead of forcing Microsoft to buy the cow", referring to the
founder of Yahoo, Jerry Yang's refusal to accept any less than 45,000
million to sell. But no doubt, the company would pocket a fair handsome
percentage of the income derived from the publicity through the
alliance.
I
couldn't be any dumber in matters of business and finance, but judging
by the Yahoo share drastically down after the news, I reckoned Microsoft
had the better share of the cake gaining visibility in the search
market and diminishing Google somewhat. Ten years is eternity in
Internet. The mystery was how things were going to evolve and it might
not be totally improbable the the inventor of Microhoo had some
foresight after all.
I
paid little attention to the outcome but, just once in a while, I can't
help wondering, in business, when success or failure depends on who
reaps more benefit ... well is that Micro or Hoo?
Current Mood: 
Blah
Awake
