Google’s buy of DoubleClick for $3.1 bn approved
Google Inc.’s long-anticipated acquisition of online ad service DoubleClick Inc. is expected to turn the Internet search leader into an even more powerful marketing vehicle that’s fueled by better insights about consumers. The $3.1 billion deal, completed Tuesday after nearly a year of regulatory wrangling, also may intensify the pressure on Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. to resolve their stormy courtship so they don’t risk further distractions while Google tries to sprint further ahead in the race for Internet advertising. Google took control of DoubleClick a few hours after Europe’s antitrust regulators removed the final stumbling block by approving a deal that was first announced 11 months ago. Besides opening up new opportunities, Google’s takeover of DoubleClick will create more challenges for a management team already grappling with concerns about how the slowing U.S. economy will affect the company’s earnings growth this year.
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt acknowledged in a statement that the biggest acquisition in the company’s 9 1/2-year history probably will trigger an unspecified number of layoffs after years of relentless hiring. The looming job cuts will be concentrated in the United States, although Schmidt said offices in other countries could be affected. New York-based DoubleClick has 1,500 employees with offices in France, England, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Australia and Spain. Mountain View-based Google employs nearly 17,000 workers, up from 1,600 just four years ago. Google’s recently slumping shares soared with the rest of the stock market Tuesday, gaining $26.22, or 6.3 percent, to $439.84. The company’s stock price remains down by 36 percent so far this year. I guess this is the right time to start worrying about the internet dominance.
Source: AP
It still amazes me how much a single share of google is.
And the rich get richer…
does anyone have google shares ???
What are you planning to do mighty google ?
Is it just the beginning ?
Oh god, I hate ads soooo much! I have 3 different ad blockers running & still they bug me to death. It’s the stupidest and most annoying thing that ever came with the internet except maybe for the new messed-up teenager generation… Death to all ads!!!
Soon the world will belong to Microsoft and Google.
@ hippie
try using firefox with the add-ons noscript and adblock plus
I use these and i NEVER get popups, ads, or spyware.
Google stocks (GOOG) are about 400 dollars.
Google’s next accomplishment is to take over the world.
If you want to get some money from this ad clicking too?
It’s easy, just go to the link below and start clicking to make money because google is showing that there is money to be made, so why not for you too…
http://www.bux3.com/?r=srk
Adblock
I used to use the plugins for Firefox but they don’t work that great all the time; espically for configuration … having to restart, etc.
In Kaspersky Internet Security 7, there is an “Anti-banner” feature under “Firewall”.
It contains a blacklist of addresses and any attempt to connect to these will be blocked.
The list contains the main advertising companies and you can add or import more.
It works like a treat!
Plus, for anyone who uses Internet Explorer or even some other application that has an internet connection, KIS will block those from connecting to the blacklisted addresses too.
@johndoe, I use Adblock and noscript as well.
A great combination, I never get any ads or popups.
Highly recommended.
I also use Kaster internet security 7. But I have no need to have its anti-banner mode on. firefox with adblock and noscript do the job far too well.
It seems like every day, Google adds yet another company to the mass blob that is Google…I wouldnt be surprised if they released a bloody console system to counter Microsoft and Sony…Behold! The GBox! Or…the GB3! Hell yeah! Ill buy it…
A good HOSTS file seems to do the job for me. Occasionally I still get bugged, but it’s a clean and simple solution.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Screw google, use scroogle
http://scroogle.org/
i once spent about 3 hours configuring firewalls and ad-blockers and firefox just to block any and all mention of Doubleclick. It worked and i think it was the best-spent 3hrs of my internet life.
If everyone used adblock, Google would be out of business.
Obviously not everyone does.