Comments on: Bebo: By the (Not So Big) Numbers http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 01:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: He’s Back! Bebo Founder Michael Birch Reinvests In His Old Company [MediaMemo] | L'Express Media http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-58277 He’s Back! Bebo Founder Michael Birch Reinvests In His Old Company [MediaMemo] | L'Express Media Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:05:47 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-58277 [...] irony, of course, is that the reason Birch has cash on hand to invest in Bebo is because he sold the company for $850 million to AOL in 2008, at the height of the Web bubble. AOL ended up writing down the entire purchase, and sold [...] [...] irony, of course, is that the reason Birch has cash on hand to invest in Bebo is because he sold the company for $850 million to AOL in 2008, at the height of the Web bubble. AOL ended up writing down the entire purchase, and sold [...]

]]> By: Bebo Founder Michael Birch Reinvests | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-58263 Bebo Founder Michael Birch Reinvests | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:01:16 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-58263 [...] irony, of course, is that the reason Birch has cash on hand to invest in Bebo is because he sold the company for $850 million to AOL in 2008, at the height of the Web bubble. AOL ended up writing down the entire purchase, and sold [...] [...] irony, of course, is that the reason Birch has cash on hand to invest in Bebo is because he sold the company for $850 million to AOL in 2008, at the height of the Web bubble. AOL ended up writing down the entire purchase, and sold [...]

]]> By: underTECH » Blog Archive » UPDATE: AOL Won’t Deny It Has Sold Bebo http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36450 underTECH » Blog Archive » UPDATE: AOL Won’t Deny It Has Sold Bebo Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:06:58 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36450 [...] previous AOL regime bought the social network for $850 million at the height of the last Web bubble, and the portal has since had to write the whole thing off. [...] [...] previous AOL regime bought the social network for $850 million at the height of the last Web bubble, and the portal has since had to write the whole thing off. [...]

]]> By: SiliconANGLE — Blog — AOL and Bebo, After the Break Up http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36431 SiliconANGLE — Blog — AOL and Bebo, After the Break Up Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:37:51 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36431 [...] huge goodwill writedown of Bebo last year. The social network, originally launched in the UK, saw a nosedive in sales after joining the AOL family, though Bebo was already headed towards decline. At the time [...] [...] huge goodwill writedown of Bebo last year. The social network, originally launched in the UK, saw a nosedive in sales after joining the AOL family, though Bebo was already headed towards decline. At the time [...]

]]> By: AOL Won’t Deny It Has Sold Bebo | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36396 AOL Won’t Deny It Has Sold Bebo | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:22:32 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-36396 [...] previous AOL regime bought the social network for $850 million, at the height of the last Web bubble, and the portal has since had to write the whole thing off. [...] [...] previous AOL regime bought the social network for $850 million, at the height of the last Web bubble, and the portal has since had to write the whole thing off. [...]

]]> By: Facebook Lands Former Bebo CEO Joanna Shields | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-27434 Facebook Lands Former Bebo CEO Joanna Shields | Peter Kafka | MediaMemo | AllThingsD Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:06:37 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-27434 [...] has had a busy couple of years: Two years ago, she arranged the sale Bebo to AOL for $850 million. A year after that, she took off, and ended up in a content startup backed by Elisabeth [...] [...] has had a busy couple of years: Two years ago, she arranged the sale Bebo to AOL for $850 million. A year after that, she took off, and ended up in a content startup backed by Elisabeth [...]

]]> By: Former Bebo CEO and AOL Top Exec Shields and Shine’s Murdoch to Form Interactive Content Start-Up | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-16763 Former Bebo CEO and AOL Top Exec Shields and Shine’s Murdoch to Form Interactive Content Start-Up | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:05:19 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-16763 [...] engineered the sale of the social networking site Bebo to the Time Warner (TWX) online unit for $850 million in early [...] [...] engineered the sale of the social networking site Bebo to the Time Warner (TWX) online unit for $850 million in early [...]

]]> By: People Networks President Joanna Shields Leaving AOL (With Full Memo) | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-11882 People Networks President Joanna Shields Leaving AOL (With Full Memo) | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD Tue, 26 May 2009 17:05:07 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-11882 [...] has always been a thorn at AOL, since it was acquired for $850 million last March. It was a huge price for the social networking site, which was much smaller than leaders Facebook and [...] [...] has always been a thorn at AOL, since it was acquired for $850 million last March. It was a huge price for the social networking site, which was much smaller than leaders Facebook and [...]

]]> By: Time Warner’s Jeff Bewkes Lays off AOL CEO and President–in a New York Minute | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-9025 Time Warner’s Jeff Bewkes Lays off AOL CEO and President–in a New York Minute | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:35:49 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-9025 [...] and also “Rondy” by some inside the division by some who did not like then–AOL paid $850 million for the Bebo social networking site last year, an overpriced move that has grated on many throughout Time [...] [...] and also “Rondy” by some inside the division by some who did not like then–AOL paid $850 million for the Bebo social networking site last year, an overpriced move that has grated on many throughout Time [...]

]]> By: Buyer’s Remorse or Not–AOL Is Not Considering Selling Bebo [BoomTown] | LinkTouch http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7895 Buyer’s Remorse or Not–AOL Is Not Considering Selling Bebo [BoomTown] | LinkTouch Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:38:01 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7895 [...] was not exactly a secret then either. As I wrote right after the sale last March: What’s AOL getting for its $850 million in cash to purchase social-networking site, [...] [...] was not exactly a secret then either. As I wrote right after the sale last March: What’s AOL getting for its $850 million in cash to purchase social-networking site, [...]

]]> By: Buyer’s Remorse or Not–AOL Is Not Considering Selling Bebo | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7881 Buyer’s Remorse or Not–AOL Is Not Considering Selling Bebo | Kara Swisher | BoomTown | AllThingsD Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:31:14 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7881 [...] was not exactly a secret then either. As I wrote right after the sale last March: What’s AOL getting for its $850 million in cash to purchase of social-networking site, [...] [...] was not exactly a secret then either. As I wrote right after the sale last March: What’s AOL getting for its $850 million in cash to purchase of social-networking site, [...]

]]> By: AOL might sell Bebo? “Absolutely ridiculous” » VentureBeat http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7860 AOL might sell Bebo? “Absolutely ridiculous” » VentureBeat Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:33:33 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-7860 [...] on product development). Meanwhile, Bebo only made $20 million in revenue in 2007, according to one report. As we first reported, late 2007 was when Bebo put itself on the block — AOL executives [...] [...] on product development). Meanwhile, Bebo only made $20 million in revenue in 2007, according to one report. As we first reported, late 2007 was when Bebo put itself on the block — AOL executives [...]

]]> By: Social networks — Fed up with the ad deluge | Monday Note http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-3857 Social networks — Fed up with the ad deluge | Monday Note Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:40:46 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-3857 [...] that’s a ridiculous 42 times revenues and 160 times EBIDTA, according to the tech site AllThingsD. Even if, overall valuations should fall saysVenture Beat Previous Post Next Post © 2008 [...] [...] that’s a ridiculous 42 times revenues and 160 times EBIDTA, according to the tech site AllThingsD. Even if, overall valuations should fall saysVenture Beat Previous Post Next Post © 2008 [...]

]]> By: pablo san jose http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-2941 pablo san jose Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:36:13 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-2941 Its interesting to try and justify big-ticket acquisitions like this by claming the CEO adds material value. I'm not an M&A guy, but this seems patently absurd to me. First of all, her salary is already built into Beebo's operating expenses, so its value would be automatically discounted if AOL used used an earnings multiple for valuation. But most of her comp is probably already on the balance sheet since she probably makes very little in salary and has a lot of unvested options. Another way to look at it is to estimate her market value. Assume Shields spends a generous 25% of her time on AOL business and she'd cost AOL a generous $5M/year in total. comp. That puts her market value at $1.25M, or 0.15% of the total valuation. Anyway you slice, this argument seems highly suspect. Its interesting to try and justify big-ticket acquisitions like this by claming the CEO adds material value. I’m not an M&A guy, but this seems patently absurd to me. First of all, her salary is already built into Beebo’s operating expenses, so its value would be automatically discounted if AOL used used an earnings multiple for valuation. But most of her comp is probably already on the balance sheet since she probably makes very little in salary and has a lot of unvested options. Another way to look at it is to estimate her market value. Assume Shields spends a generous 25% of her time on AOL business and she’d cost AOL a generous $5M/year in total. comp. That puts her market value at $1.25M, or 0.15% of the total valuation. Anyway you slice, this argument seems highly suspect.

]]> By: Chris Lynn http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-2940 Chris Lynn Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:15:27 +0000 http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080313/bebo-by-the-not-so-big-numbers/#comment-2940 Kara: Wondering how much was paid to produce "Prom Queen" or "Quarter Life." I think Bebo's "Kate Modern" has higher viewership and engagement than those two "successes." With more interactive dramas already in production, Bebo could serve up some hit shows with their platform. Again, you are right: It's potential and AOL has negelected several properties. AIM is def a property that could use some development. One tip: open up, so enterprises can integrate it. Can you buy a fancy movie theater to keep people from seeing the half leased strip mall in the back? Kara:

Wondering how much was paid to produce “Prom Queen” or “Quarter Life.” I think Bebo’s “Kate Modern” has higher viewership and engagement than those two “successes.” With more interactive dramas already in production, Bebo could serve up some hit shows with their platform. Again, you are right: It’s potential and AOL has negelected several properties.

AIM is def a property that could use some development. One tip: open up, so enterprises can integrate it.

Can you buy a fancy movie theater to keep people from seeing the half leased strip mall in the back?

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