Thanks, a-slate, for your response, and the spirit in which it was offered. Being a relative "newby" here, I mean only to contribute not to pontificate, believe me...
I am a bit confused, however, by your comments re. how I need to do more analysis on YHOO's business model. I have done a TON of research on YHHO's business model, being that (not to tell tales out of school) I am CEO of a company that publishes a weekly newspaper and monthly magazine, both of which have viable web-sites, both of which earnestly endeavor to sell web banners...
Our company is in two very large professional associations (The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and the City and Regional Magazine Association), which have 125 (AAN) and 70 (CRMA) publication members respectively, all of which also sell web advertising into/onto their sites. I should boast on some of my colleagues and point out that they include (e.g. NEWCITY out of Chicago, VILLAGE VOICE, SAN DIEGO magazine) publications that have phenomenal websites,with great content and zillions of hits daily...
I can also say that nobody -- nobody -- is making money selling web advertising in our business. A few folks are covering their basic costs, i.e. webmasters' salaries, design services, etc. But nobody is making significant $$$, let alone enough web-income to justify a multi-billion dollar market cap...
Don't mean to run on so long, a-slate and other friends, but this point is worth making. YHOO is a great company built upon a false premise, i.e. they can make beaucoup $$$ by selling enough web ads to pay for the service they provide for free to others. Wrong. Sorry. I and my colleagues KNOW this is the wrong model. We wish it wasn't but it is. Trust me. And until/unless YHOO changes its business model, it is doomed...
I'll be silent for a while now; but please, folks, take this to heart: especially if you bought YHOO today for 275. Caveat Emptor. |
