Friday, December 02, 2005
Microsoft Readies Online Classifieds Service
The service, being tested internally, would help people sell personal items over Microsoft's instant messaging, social networking, or local search services.
By Antone Gonsalves, InternetWeek
Nov. 30, 2005
URL: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174403225
Microsoft Corp. is testing internally an online classifieds service that would enable people to sell personal items over the company's instant messaging, social networking or local search services, a company official said Wednesday.
Code-named "Fremont," a test version of the service launched a week and a half ago for Microsoft employees only, Garry Wiseman, MSN product unit manager, said. The service is expected to be released in beta publicly within the "next few weeks."
Fremont gives users the option of offering goods or services only to contacts on the MSN Messenger instant-messaging service or to groups within MSN Spaces, which is the company's blogging service. In addition, people can send notifications of items for sale through email domains, which would enable them to reach work colleagues, for example.
There's also the option of listing the classifieds broadly through MSN local search, or its regular search engine.
People who have items for sale would have a pulsating yellow star on their Spaces homepage or on the IM window that contacts see. Clicking on the star will launch a small window describing the item and details on purchasing it.
In addition, people will be able to set up a RSS feed to get regular updates on new items being posted.
In building Freemont, Wiseman and his five-person crew tried to make it both personal for people who only want to trade among family, friends and colleagues, while also providing the option of a public posting.
Classifieds is a growing piece of the booming online advertising market that's expected to reach $13.8 billion by 2007, surpassing advertising spent on magazines, according to JupiterResearch. During that timeframe, spending on display ads and online classifieds together are expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 25 percent.
By 2010, classified advertising revenue is expected to reach $4.1 billion, JupiterResearch says.
With Fremont, Microsoft expects to make money by selling contextual advertising that would accompany search results, Wiseman said.
Adobe's Acquisition of Macromedia Expected to Close on December 3, 2005
SAN JOSE, Calif. — December 1, 2005 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq: ADBE) and Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR) today announced they have either received or been notified they will receive all regulatory clearances necessary to complete Adobe's pending acquisition of Macromedia. The companies expect to close the transaction on December 3, 2005.
On April 18, 2005, Adobe announced a definitive agreement to acquire Macromedia in an all-stock transaction. Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement, holders of Macromedia common stock will receive 1.38 shares of Adobe common stock for each share of Macromedia common stock they own at the closing of the acquisition.
Adobe to Provide Fiscal 2006 Financial Targets and Host a Financial Analyst Meeting
Adobe also announced today it intends to discuss the combined Company's fiscal 2006 outlook with the financial community on Thursday December 15, 2005 as part of its fourth quarter and fiscal 2005 year-end earnings conference call, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time that day.
The company also announced its executives will present Adobe's strategy to analysts and investors at Adobe's annual financial analyst meeting in New York City on Tuesday January 31, 2006.
Invitations and Webcast information for both events will be made available in the near future.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe is the world's leading provider of software solutions to create, manage and deliver high-impact, reliable digital content. For more information, visit www.adobe.com .
About Macromedia
Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences - on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this press release include expectations about the timing of the merger and the satisfaction of closing conditions to the transaction, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. Actual results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements in this press release. Adobe and Macromedia undertake no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
source:http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200512/120105MACRAcquisitionClose.html
