Category Archives: M&A

Skype’s Set Free (Almost)

By Mark Evans | Published: September 1, 2009

When eBay purchased Skype in 2005, it was a $4.1-billion strategic head-scratcher. Why eBay, the world’s leading online auction service, needed to buy a disruptive VOIP service provider – even one as popular as Skype – made little sense despite assertions there were many synergies, including how Skype would allow eBay to roll out click-to-call to [...]

Also posted in Telecom Acquisitions, Financing | Tagged acquisition, ebay, skype | 2 Comments

Has @steveballmer Tipped Microsoft’s Twitter Plans?

By Mark Evans | Published: May 7, 2009

This may be a case of putting two and two together, and getting five but….you have to wonder whether Steve Ballmer has deliberately tipped his hand about Microsoft’s interest in Twitter. After a speech at Stanford, Ballmer told CNet’s Ina Fried that Microsoft needs to be “more disruptive” about search. It’s an interesting proposition depending on [...]

Also posted in Social Media | 2 Comments

We Want Skype Back!

By Mark Evans | Published: April 11, 2009

So what do you make of Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis putting together a bid for Skype? After selling the business to eBay for $3.1-billion, the New York Times reports the dynamic telecom duo apparently want to buy it back for about $2-billion. With Skype closing in on $1-billion in annual revenue and, likely, healthy [...]

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Twitter-Google: The Conspiracy Theory

By Mark Evans | Published: April 3, 2009

So, TechCrunch is spreading rumors and speculation about a Twitter-Google deal. If you believe in the theory where there’s smoke, there’s fire, a deal may, in fact, be happening…or not given how TechCrunch is getting conflicting reports on the state of discussions between Twitter and Google. Now, if you’re a conspiracy theorist or someone who looks at [...]

Also posted in Google, Social Media | 7 Comments

Cisco’s Growing Consumer Empire

By Mark Evans | Published: March 19, 2009

For a company whose roots are routers and switches, Cisco is orchestrating a fascinating strategic transformation into a consumer-focused company. The latest foray is the purchase of Pure Digital Technologies, which makes the popular Flip digital cameras, for $590-million. The deal enhances a consumer-focused portfolio that also includes Linksys, which Cisco acquired for $500-million in [...]

Posted in M&A | 2 Comments

The Bell Tolls for BCE

By Mark Evans | Published: December 12, 2008

Ever since the $52-billion leveraged buy-out of BCE emerged, I’ve contended that it was a move that would cripple the company with enormous amounts of debt at a time when it is facing fierce competition from cablecos such as Rogers. This thesis didn’t get much attention given everyone – media, analysts, investors – was far more [...]