Diller Says He’s Willing To Sell Ask.com
Oct 27, 2009 at 7:43pm ET by Matt McGee
Barry Diller, CEO of IAC -- the parent company of Ask.com -- said today that he's willing to sell the struggling, fourth-place search engine. His comments came during a conference call with investors after IAC reported its 3rd quarter earnings.
"We've been asked a lot whether we're open to consolidating transactions in the area of search. The answer is yes," Diller said. "And, it is unlikely that we would be the consolidator." Diller also called the future of Ask.com "speculative" during today's call, citing the "fierce" competition in search.
IAC's media and advertising business -- whi [...]
Filed in: Ask: Business Issues, Ask: Web Search
Gulli Leaves Ask.com For Microsoft Bing, Finally Has “Resources”
Aug 31, 2009 at 1:25pm ET by Barry Schwartz
Ten days ago, we reported that Antonio Gulli left Ask.com after 4 years heading up their technology team in the European R&D center. Gulli announced his new plans are to continue in search, but switch ships and work for Microsoft Bing.
Gulli said he will be "leading all the engineering development for UX and verticals in Europe," focusing on Microsoft Bing's search technology and user interface. He will be working at Microsoft's London site of STC Europe nearby Carnaby Street.
What I found most interesting about his announcement post was that he, in not so many words, explained that he [...]
Filed in: Ask: Business Issues, Ask: Employees, Microsoft: Business Issues, Microsoft: Employees
Ask.com Mocks Yahoo With Employee Poaching Sign
Aug 12, 2009 at 3:59pm ET by Barry Schwartz
I was walking through the expo hall, which I rarely do, and I spotted at the Ask.com booth this sign.
You read that? "My company just gave up on search. Where do I work now" and then the URL at the bottom. That is Ask.com being funny and then trying to pick up Yahoo Search employees. I am also being told that they are giving away bars of chocolate that say the same line.
Yea, Yahoo did give up on search but I also personally believe Ask.com has also given up on search. [...]
Filed in: Ask: Business Issues, Ask: Promotions, SEM Industry: Community, Yahoo: Business Issues
Ask.com’s IAC Revenue Drops 10%, Revenue Per Query Down
Jul 29, 2009 at 11:34am ET by Barry Schwartz
Ask.com's parent company reported second quarter earnings, which showed an overall decline in revenue of 4% for the overall company, but dipped 10% in the media and advertising category, the category Ask.com fits into.
IAC said revenue per query declined because of an "improved experience on Ask.com following its relaunch in October." The relaunch has lead to "fewer clicks by consumers to find what they are looking for, as well as a decrease in cost per click."
Here are the key numbers from the earnings release:
Overall Revenues at $340 million down 4% from a year ago, at $354.2M [...]
Filed in: Ask: Business Issues
Ask CEO Safka to Depart
May 12, 2009 at 6:53pm ET by Greg Sterling
According to the Wall Street Journal, Ask.com CEO Jim Safka is leaving the company. He will become the head of Chegg, Inc., which rents textbooks to students online. The decision to leave is apparently Safka's, for personal reasons. Longtime IAC executive Scott Garell will take over as "President of Ask Networks."
In its most recent earnings report, IAC's "media & advertising" business (which reflects search revenues) was off 22 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Ask's market share, as the WSJ article points out, has remained largely flat during Safka's time at the helm, [...]
Filed in: Ask: Ask 3D, Ask: Business Issues, Ask: General, Top News
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