BU Now » Yahoo

Bing gaining on Google, Yahoo

Dick Taffe — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:05:47 +0000

Latest user data shows that Microsoft’s new Internet search engine, Bing, continues to gain ground on those of industry leaders Google and Yahoo. With Microsoft now joining forces with Yahoo in taking on Google’s command of the lucrative Net ad market, School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman says the next key milestone will be reaching the 40% share level (it’s now about 30%).

“That level could give a boost to both Microsoft and Yahoo to marshal additional resources and ways to challenge Google.”

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

Microsoft, Yahoo deal done

Dick Taffe — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:31:34 +0000

In a big deal for the Internet search world, Microsoft and Yahoo have entered a partnership to take on Google. Microsoft’s new Bing search engine will power Yahoo’s search, and Yahoo will be the global sales force for both companies’ search advertisers. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman says it’s a good deal for Microsoft and Yahoo, and possibly for advertisers.

“I am not so sure of the claim about a ‘new era of innovation’ that the two CEOs claim, but we will have to wait and watch.”

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

Breakthrough for Web news?

Dick Taffe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:09:20 +0000

The Associated Press will wrap each of its articles (and photos) with software that indicates its right-to-use and notifies the AP how it was used. It’s in response to Web aggregators and blogs using stories without permission or paying — and may be a breakthrough for the struggling news industry as a whole. Journalism Department Chairman Professor Lou Ureneck says it’s long over due.

Contact Lou Ureneck, 617-353-4095, lureneck@bu.edu

Yahoo looking to trim

Dick Taffe — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:35:36 +0000

In its effort to dump non-core assets, Yahoo reportedly is looking to sell off both its HotJobs (which competes with Careerbuilder and Monster.com) and Yahoo Small Business. School of Management finance Professor Israel Shaked, a M&A specialist, can discuss the Internet giant’s ongoing strategy.

Contact Israel Shaked, 617-353-2665, shaked@bu.edu

Report: New Yahoo branding coming

Dick Taffe — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:27:46 +0000

The Wall Street Journal reports that Yahoo is working on a “massive” effort to overhaul the Internet search company’s brand. School of Management Professor Susan Fournier, an expert on branding, can offer insight about the strategy and tactics of such major re-branding initiatives.

Contact Susan Fournier, 617-353-2773, fournism@bu.edu

Report: Tech Giants in Antitrust Probe

Dick Taffe — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:02:02 +0000

An “industry wide” antitrust probe reportedly is underway by the Justice Department investigating if technology companies are illegally negotiating with each other about the hiring of one another’s employees. Targets reportedly include Google, Yahoo, Apple, and Genentech. School of Law Professor Keith Hylton, an antitrust law authority, can comment about the possibilities.

Contact Keith Hylton, 617-353-8959, knhylton@bu.edu

Microsoft to unveil new search engine

Dick Taffe — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:01:33 +0000

Word’s out that Microsoft plans to unveil next week a new version of its Internet search engine. Meantime, Yahoo says it plans to improve the way it’s engine performs searches. School of Management Professor N. Venkat Venkatraman, who heads the Information Systems Department, can offer perspective on how the moves will affect the battle to compete to search giant Google.

“It’s encouraging to see Microsoft persevering with the search engine for several reasons: (1) Search is an essential building block for many online services and Microsoft is in the midst of transforming its business model to include online and cloud-based services and it cannot let the gateway be controlled by Google; (2) Mobile search is still in its infancy; (3) Search within social networks and social graphs (a la Facebook and Twitter) is still very immature.

“Their current low market share, while discouraging, should not deter Microsoft if they can come up with a more effective search engine that yields relevant, context-specific and timely results.”

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

AP take on Web aggregators

Dick Taffe — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:56:27 +0000

Journalism Department Chairman Lou Ureneck, a former deputy editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, says it’s about time the Associated Press and its member papers took on the Web aggregators that use articles without legal permission.

“This is long overdue. The newspapers seem to be taking their cue from book publishers, who recently settled with Google.”

Contact Lou Ureneck, 617-353-4095, lureneck@bu.edu