Diller Clarifies Position On Ask; Not Looking For Standalone Sale
During the latest IAC (NSDQ: IACI) earnings call when CEO Barry Diller mentioned an interest in consolidating Ask.com with another search player, the quick conclusion was the #4 search engine is for sale. Not the case, Diller clarified at the Reuters (NYSE: TRI) Global Media Summit today, stating “this isn’t an asset that’s for sale.” In fact, he said he’s rebuffed people interested in acquiring Ask on that basis: “The people who called us were on exploration missions, on a stand-alone buy as an asset. That is different than having conversations with other people in the vineyard, in the area of search.” His interest lies in taking part in what he expects will be further consolidation in the search sector. And, for the record, Diller once again said he is not interested in buying AOL (NYSE: TWX).
can't imagine why anyone would want to buy the #4 search engine, unless the price was just too good to pass up.
staci, keep an eye out for the launch of huffpo los angeles.
barry diller is smart and so predictable. he hints at selling ask to see if anyone comes acallin'. when they don't, he says i'm not interested in selling after all, i really just want to take "part in what he expects will be further consolidation in the search sector." he is so ridiculous and so is anyone who puts two dimes of their hard-earned money into iac stock.