So reports AdAge, after rumors of it on Gawker and other places for a few months: Journalism jobs and news site MediaBistro has been on the block for a few months now, and several suitors, including media companies and employment web sites, are said to be in the bidding for the company, it says.
Estimates of the company’s revenue vary: from less than $2 million to $5 million to $8 million. The company, which started out seeking a higher multiple, is now asking for a sale price of three or four times revenue…media-focused investment bank DeSilva & Phillips (one of our sponsors) is handling the sale process, and a decision could come next month.
Who’ll buy it? The story says two of the likeliest media companies, Haymarket Media, which owns PRWeek, and Crain Communications, owner of Advertising Age, are no longer interested in a deal. Job boards like Monster.com or Vault may make a better strategic fit.
My read: Reed Business (merge it with Variety and VarietyCareers.com) or VNU (which own Editor & Publisher, and could do with some radical redo of the brand) might be better fits.