Where Are Twitter’s Ads? You May Have to Wait a Month (Or More).

Twitter CEO Evan Williams did not announce the new ad platform the company is working on today. So when will we see it? Think mid-April.

Microsoft-Yahoo Alliance Cleared by DOJ, EU

At long last, Microsoft and Yahoo are free to consummate their search alliance. The companies announced Thursday that the 10-year agreement they negotiated last summer has been approved without restrictions by the Department of Justice and the European Commission.

Online Ad Buys: On Hold for the Holidays

It’s now very old news that the online ad market is going to get roughed up next year. But by how much? Don’t bother guessing until the end of the month: Online ad execs say sales have basically stopped until the end of the holiday season.

DOJ Recalibrates Google Arrogance Algorithm

A few weeks back, Google wasn’t at all deterred by regulators’ heightened scrutiny of the company’s advertising agreement with Yahoo. It had no plans to delay the deal with its struggling rival, which was to begin this month. “Time is money in our business,” said Google CEO Eric Schmidt. “… While we have been talking to regulators, we don’t know what their position is. We don’t know if they think it’s a good deal or poor deal.” How quickly things change.

Speak Now, $100 Billion Ad Group, or Forever Hold Your Peace

Much as Google would like us all to believe that its proposed partnership with Yahoo is a benign one, a growing chorus of critics insists otherwise. The latest to take issue with the deal: The Association of National Advertisers, which represents a group of 400 companies with 9,000 brands.

As Yahoo Stock Drops, Microsoft's Sweetened Search Gets Cheaper

Apparently, according to Yahoo, Microsoft is as clever and deceptive as the buff and gun-toting Angelina Jolie in the new film “Wanted.” BoomTown will get to that later. But with Yahoo shares hovering close to $20 a share, Microsoft has certainly got to be thrilled that the sweetened search ad deal it is currently preparing–including forking over about $10 billion for one-third of the company–is getting cheaper by the minute.

GAME OVER

Our long national nightmare of unceasing Yahoo-Microsoft headlines is finally over. Shares of Yahoo slipped into the mud this afternoon amid reports it has concluded whatever tortured discussions it’s been having with Microsoft without reaching any sort of merger agreement. Redmond, it seems, is no longer willing to pay $33 per share to acquire Yahoo. It is, however, open to discussing an “alternative transaction.” Meanwhile, Yahoo and Google are moving closer to a deal.
ballmer_seeya.jpg