seller

To Stanch Layoffs, Yahoo Has Been Shopping Its Ad Technology Platforms to Google, Microsoft and Others

Kara Swisher in News on March 14 at 8:04 am PT

There’s always yet another wacky money-making scheme on the horizon at Yahoo!

Confirmed: Microsoft Will Announce Acquisition of Skype Tomorrow Morning

Kara Swisher in News on May 9, 2011 at 8:14 pm PT

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier tonight that Microsoft–in what would be its most aggressive acquisition in the digital space–was zeroing in on buying Skype for $8.5 billion all in. Sources told BoomTown tonight that the deal for the online telephony and video communications giant is actually done and will be announced early tomorrow morning.

Wanted: Groupon COO. Must Like Cat-Wrangling, Lack of Spotlight and International Travel (Post-Samwer)

Kara Swisher in News on March 29, 2011 at 10:37 am PT

Of all the many job openings in tech, perhaps the most interesting to watch will be who Groupon selects as its next COO, after the recent announcement that it was parting ways with President and COO Rob Solomon. Requirements for running the Chicago-based social buying site: epic cat-wrangling of thousands of employees in far-flung locations; deep marketing and advertising prowess; high-level technology, product, mobile and e-commerce chops; and international experience. Also, please stand in the shadows.

The Anti-EBay? Yardsellr Closes $5 Million Series A Round

Kara Swisher in News on November 22, 2010 at 7:00 am PT

Yardsellr is announcing today that it has closed a $5 million Series A funding round led by Accel Partners. Harrison Metal, which is run by investor Michael Dearing and gave the social listings and transactions site seed financing last year, also participated in the round. Yardsellr says it uses “social plumbing to power all interactions between buyers and sellers, although users create listings and consummate transactions.” Welcome to eBay, Facebook-style!

What Did Apple Want With AdMob?

John Paczkowski in News on November 16, 2009 at 7:04 am PT

Before AdMob accepted Google’s $750 million takeover offer, it was approached by Apple. This according to “people familiar with the matter,” who tell Bloomberg that Cupertino was also interested in the mobile advertising company. Odd to learn that Apple was considering such a move. After all, advertising isn’t exactly one of its core businesses.

IPO Market Just Really, Really Lousy

John Paczkowski in News on April 1, 2009 at 1:25 pm PT

To hear tell from the National Venture Capital Association, the VC landscape is as burned out and desolate as the ashen vistas of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road.” According to its latest data, not a single venture-backed company went public in the first quarter of 2009 or the one that preceded it. That’s the first time the association has ever recorded two consecutive quarters with no issues.

Buying and Selling Among Friends

Katherine Boehret in The Mossberg Solution on March 3, 2009 at 4:28 pm PT

Gone are the days when giving away your old stuff involved getting in the car and hauling bags to the local Salvation Army. Now, with a little Web know-how, you can find a number of ways to turn your trash into someone else’s treasure.