Comments on: AOhell: Some people never learn

By: Publishing 2.0 » Missing the Point on AOL/Time Warner

Publishing 2.0 » Missing the Point on AOL/Time Warner — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 11:19:09 +0000

[...] The “worst merger in history,” as acknowledged by chief architect Steve Case, is quickly disintegrating into the largest pile of sour grapes in history (or as the NYT put it, “a mountain of ill feeling”). Watching the uproar over AOL/Time Warner is like sitting in the bedroom of a bad marriage imploding, with all the resentment, recriminations, and regrets rising in a vitriolic crescendo. Even level-headed observers like Jeff Jarvis can’t help but express their disgust (I only owned a small handful of AOL shares, and I’m disgusted).As typically happens when emotions and tempers flare, sober analysis falls by the wayside. So it’s not the least bit surprising that most of the shouting over AOL/Time Warner is missing the point. Andrew Serwer at Fortune avoided drinking from the poisoned punch bowl when he pointed out: The real issue for TWX (Research): figuring out how to distribute copyrighted material in a digital world. I say the stock doesn’t really move until they figure out that riddle. Then yesterday comes news of blood on the walls at Time Warner: [...]

By: tigh

tigh — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 23:44:54 +0000

Sorry for your not cashing out at the top of TW’s value. Sorry you drank the cool ade of the merger.
But, I happen to agree with Mr Case’ assertion that AOL was ignored. While everyone at Time Warner bitched and moaned about how Gerald Levine and Steve Case botched things up, Terry Semel built Yahoo into the company it is now. They did this through focus, hard work and without the assets that Time Warner had to bring to the table. Sorry but Case was right on that point.
Case was also right to merge the two at the time. He had the forsight to know the Internet bubble was coming to a head and he needed to protect the company he built.
As far as Icaan goes, he has a long history of being a corporate obstructionist. He built his empire on it… Making a lot of noise and selling short.
Dont blame Case for the mess at TW…

By: Old Grouch

Old Grouch — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 19:29:40 +0000

Synergy works when it means breaking down barriers and slaughtering sacred cows to produce a better product. In TW’s case, divisions continued protecting their individual walled gardens to the detriment of the company overall… not surprising. They can’t/won’t change the culture, so breakup is the answer.

Thing is, once that happens, there will be people in the cable company who’ll be thinking, “Gee, it’d be neat if we produced our own content.” And people in the entertainment company who’ll say, “If we really want to make money, we’ve got to own our distribution channel.” Etc, etc.

So if you’re going to sell, do it quickly!

By: I.F. Stoner

I.F. Stoner — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:33:45 +0000

Wanna know the fun part, Jeff?
When they spin off heaving chunks, look for insane and totally bogus valuations of “goodwill.”

By: Lou Josephs

Lou Josephs — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 17:39:40 +0000

Yeah I read that yesterday in the Post.. considering what “high estem” the AOL brand has these days..making it your phone company…Steve are you crazy.
Verizon when the figure out FTH will own just about all the things Uncle Steve talks about.
The niche portal thing does works but the content, yech