NONE: Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Lycos new Ad Network with Softbank
Re: ONLINE-ADS>> Lycos new Ad Network with Softbank
Ray Fix (fix_at_tiac.net)
Fri, 28 Mar 1997 13:43:21 -0300
This is a "combo" intro note
Responding to Debbie Everson's query about Lycos+Softbank below:
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> Lycos is teaming up with Softbank Interactive Marketing to create a new
>ad network.
>
> Any thoughts or comments?
> http://headlines.yahoo.com/zdnews/stories/858900571.html
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I've been lurking for several weeks now, as a recent subscriber, and
felt compelled to give my two cents on the Lyco/Softbank deal while,
also introducing myself to the Group.
So, hello! My name is Ray Fix; I've been in the ad/marketing business
for 20+ years on both the ad agency- and client-side. I find this Group
very interesting and informative, especially since I have become more
net-focused since 1994.
Which brings me to the Softbank/Lycos deal. I recently left Softbank
Comdex (formerly The Interface Group) after 9+ years there as Director
of Marketing/Communications for all events worldwide, media products and
corporate (by the way, I'm very happy to have moved on).
The issue I have about this deal has more to do with the emergence of
Softbank Corp. as such a powerful IT communications broker with all of
its US-based acquisitions, venture deals, start-ups, etc. I understand
all of the "Global Economy" positioning we've been sold, however, I do
wonder about potential "antitrust" implications and why Softbank Corp.
has been allowed to acquire: Ziff Davis, N+I Expos and Comdex worldwide
*without* hearing one peep from media & marketing circles about
cornering the market ie: antitrust. The next move I expect is for
Mecklermedia to sell its Internet media and trade shows to Softbank.
Does *anyone* feel a concern here? Or am I just paranoid and/or too
nationalistic in knowing that a foreign country (Japan) is now home to
the company who owns all of the #1 IT media channels in the US and
Japan. Not to mention strong outposts in Canada, Latin America, Asia,
UK and France, etc. This feeling always bothered me when the acquistion
came down two years ago, but I was "sold" on the global economy deal and
told to cool it. Softbank has also bought into Yahoo!, and is into lots
of other US-based IT operations, including the Softbank Interactive
Group which led to my comments in the first place.
So, yes I do have thoughts and comments on the Lycos/Softbank deal,
Debbie, but maybe not the kind of input you may have been looking for.
I do believe many palms have been greased in Washington DC, and I think
those palms have roots in Boston and with fund raising committees in
both Democrat and Republican parties. A lot of people got rich by
"selling out", but I guess that's the American way, right?
I'd be interested to know your comments.
Happy Easter!
Ray Fix
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