UPDATED: AKA “no reporter left behind.” The Post’s story had just enough detail to set off a round of coverage but none of the stories in the first crop leave us with much information. Could be something big, could be nothing at all. Could be someone at Time Warner’s way of showing Carl Icahn and other critics of the company’s stagnant value that management is open to all kinds of options.
FT: FT seconds what Reuters story says below: The two “are in talks regarding co-operation in their search and advertising network businesses”, and have been going on for a few months now. The talks had not advanced to anywhere near merger level, although Microsoft could “become an investor in AOL” at some point, says the story.
Kenneth Li, Reuters: His source “familiar with the matter” calls reports of a joint venture “way overblown” but says the two companies are discussing cooperation on search and advertising. “There have been talks on ways Microsoft and AOL assets can be better leveraged and they’ve taken place over the normal course of business …,” the source said.
Janet Whitman, Dow Jones/SmartMoney.com: An investmen by Microsoft in AOL is possible but “a person familiar with the matter” said the talks are at a very preliminary stage and might not lead to a deal.
We’ll stay on it … as always.
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