BU Now » Technology

Google & Yelp, maybe not

Dick Taffe — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:11:23 +0000

Talks have broken down after a flurry of stories saying Google was about to buy the online local search and business-review provider Yelp in order to expand search advertising opportunities. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chairman of the Information Systems Department, says a Google acquisition of Yelp could benefit both.

“Yelp could play an important part to Google’s social media content and different from simply highlighting Twitter or Facebook results. For Yelp, it is about investment for growth and finding a good strategic fit with a company with traction.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Apple/Google co-opetition

Dick Taffe — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:01:48 +0000

After years of staying out of each other’s way and thriving, Google and Apple now fight over the same start-up acquisitions and develop competing products. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, chair of the Information Systems Department, says it embodies the shift under way in how companies compete in the era of convergence shaped by information technologies.

“Managers who fail to see evolving competitive landscape under conditions of convergence will find themselves trapped into rigid business arrangements. This battle should serve as a wake-up call.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Twitter not for sale

Dick Taffe — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:00:28 +0000

Twitter co-founder Biz Stone says the social-networking site is looking to make more acqusitions, may eventually be taken public, and is definitely not for sale. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, head of the Information Systems Department, says he applauds Twitter for maintaining its independence.

“During 2009, Twitter has emerged as a serious and credible ways for social connections to become part of the economic landscape and I expect to see in 2010 the functionality become as central as search-engine optimization.”

Contact N. Venkat Venkatraman, 617-353-7117, venkat@bu.edu

Technology ad blitz under way

Dick Taffe — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:44:23 +0000

Many technology companies facing timid customers and increasing competition – e.g., Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, Cisco, and for the first time Juniper Networks — are ramping up advertising campaigns. Advertising Professor John Verret, a 40-year veteran of the ad business, says they can thank Apple for showing that great messages, widely disseminated, build great markets.

“All the tech/Internet brands are going to try to ‘out Apple’ one another. This will be fun – and it’s a great sign for the economy.”

Contact John Verret, 617-353-7737, jverret@bu.edu