Diller Clarifies Position On Ask; Not Looking For Standalone Sale

Barry Diller, CEO, IAC

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).

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