Google Video Ads are A'comin'

Google's VP of Search Products and User Experience announced that video ads will start to be displayed on Search Engine Results pages. Those ads with a video ad will feature a plus sign, when clicked, will display the video ad.

Does that mean a double charge for our ads? My biggest fear is that someone might click on both ads, doubling the price, but doing little else.

A little testing and some reporting will go a long way in figuring out if this is a good move for SEMs. It really could be.

Long gone are the days of the uncluttered Google SERP page I guess.

Tags: google, google video ads, you tube

Microsoft & Yahoo - It's ON

Like a scorned lover, Microsoft is taking the offensive in it's takeover of Yahoo.

They are waging a proxy battle against Yahoo now. For those of you (like me), who weren't quite familiar with a proxy battle, it's defined as:

Strategy used by an acquiring company in a hostile takeover attempt whereby the acquirer challenges the target company's management and solicits support from the target company's shareholders for proposals that would effectively give the acquiring company control of the target without having to pay a premium.

Microsoft has previously contacted Shareholders in an attempt to sway them over to Microsoft's side. (Did I mention acting like a scorned lover yet?) to which the larger shareholders have requested that the Yahoo board consider the offer.

Yahoo wants Microsoft to up it's bid, but in this latest turn of events, Microsoft could get out cheaper waging the proxy battle and ousting the current Yahoo execs.

On the SEM side, Yahoo and Microsoft both need help with their UIs for the paid search arena. Would a merger mean even more screwy interfaces or would we actually get something that is fairly user-friendly and interactive?

With AOL and NewsCorp looking to jump on the Yahoo purchase bandwagon, only time will tell where the SEMs end up on this deal.

More to come, I'm sure.

Tags: microsoft acquisition, proxy battle, yahoo shareholders, microsoft, microsoft buys yahoo, microsoft buys yahoo

Microsoft Shows the Money to Yahoo

This morning, Microsoft announced it's proposal to Yahoo!'s Board of Directors for $44.6 billion in cash and stock.

Yahoo! is reportedly considering the deal, as talks in February 2007 resulted in Yahoo! Board sending a letter to Microsoft, stating:

"now is not the right time from the perspective of our shareholders to enter into discussions regarding an acquisition transaction.”

One year later, and one day after Yahoo!'s shares dropped significantly, layoffs are announced and everyone is predicting the end of Yahoo! (again), Microsoft is riding in on it's white horse to save the day.

Microsoft's rebuttal (I mean, proposal) this year states,

"Microsoft’s consistent belief has been that the combination of
Microsoft and Yahoo! clearly represents the best way to deliver maximum
value to our respective shareholders, as well as create a more
efficient and competitive company that would provide greater value and
service to our customers."

The combination of these services include:

• Search & Display Advertising (obviously)
• Competition in the Realm of Search (Paid and Unpaid)
• Expanded Research & Development
• Operational Efficiency & Reduced Operating Costs (more layoffs coming??)
• Emerging Technology - Video, Mobile, Online Commerce, Social Media and Social Platform

My opinion coming shortly..

Technorati Tags: microsoft buys yahoo, microsoft, yahoo, microsoft acquisition, yahoo acquisition, search engine marketing, SEM, search engine