Some big headlines this week…
Well in case you missed it, some big, potentially industry-shaping headlines in the news this week. In the face of a recession investors are making big, often times bold stock move
English: Steve Ballmer at MIX in 2008. Français : Steve Ballmer à MIX en 2008. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
s, and (dare we say) reminiscent of “Web 1.0″ Bubble Burst days, Technology stocks are once again at the forefront.
The recession couldn’t possibly have worse timing for social networking and the Web 2.0 digital media boon, as pockets tighten and Ad Budgets disappear. Seems like bad news as ComScore and BusinessWeek reports seem to indicate that users are growing tired of the increasingly aggressive advertising tactics being pushed by many of their online social networking havens:
Generation MySpace Is Getting Fed Up
To complicate the Tech sector even more, this week we saw Microsoft make Yahoo “an offer it can’t refuse”. With an offer of $31 per share, it’s hard to believe that Yahoo execs still want to struggle and fight for independence. That offer has already been de-valued to $29 due to market repercussions since the announcement. The devaluation was lead by some of Microsoft’s long-time, big investors, who are now questioning the company’s management strategy, and beginning to dump stocks. However, the Yahoo acquisition represents a pretty significant move in the history of the Internet. Yahoo, the world’s largest Internet Portal services provider, is now poised for acquisition (and maybe even dismantling, though Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer denies such claims) by the Microsoft Corporation, the world’s largest Operating System provider. If you read between the lines, Microsoft’s strategy seems clear:
Microsoft Poised Itself to Take Over Yahoo to the tune of $44.6 Billion
Speaking of Google, they seem to have their own troubles lately, as analysts criticize the company’s latest foray into the Mobile sector. CNET especially took a close look at the Search giant’s newfound interest in everything Mobile in:
Is Mobile Really a Sure Thing For Google?
Seems like bad news across the board, for once, with the exception of the ongoing Writer’s Guild of America Strike. We picked up the trail of an interview with Disney company’s ex-CEO Michael Eisner, that seems to indicate the end of the WGA strikes could be as early as this weekend … Reports claim that it is finally coming to an end, much to the relief of an incredibly bored, frustrated North American TV audience. However, we’ll take these reports with a grain of salt until we hear it straight from the horse’s mouth… of course executive-types want this strike to be over, but shouldn’t we wait until the official WGA announcement before we start rejoicing?
Writer’s Strike “Effectively” Over
Either way it seems like good news, and the strike may have been even better news for Canadian productions. Reports came in earlier this week as several major studios announced some pick-ups of Canadian content. At least 3 Canadian shows have been picked up for the prime-time, with more to possibly come as the studios scramble to fill their now gaping Fall 2008 line-up:
U.S. networks find Canadian shows ready for primetime