David Hills (Looksmart's CEO) was interviewed at a recent...

David Hills (Looksmart's CEO) was interviewed at a recent Ipod.net conferance.

(Link) http://www.podtech.net/audio/looksmart/davidhills_sm.mp3

Within it, David Hills did say ...

"We are very open to partnerships"

"We are actively talking to many companies ... those with a common interest ... perhaps even as an investment standpoint" - "To help them", is what he says.

MMmmm???

"perhaps even as an investment standpoint" ????

That was interesting ....

Yes, Murdoch said the company (NEWS) is "in very advanced negotiations to buy a controlling interest in what we think is a wonderful search engine."

LOOK is now 'set up' as a FULL package to suit ALL Publisher & Media Co requirements, with all that they could wish for. The 'leverage' gained by Murdoch's sites from buying an 'interest' in Looksmart, is well worth consideration. Plenty of synergies already exist. (3 Major Publishe/Media Co "deals") - It's 'tailor made'.

The 'increased' NETWORK 'reach' of Publisher/Media Co's 'combined' (being NEWS + those existing, that LOOK have signed) would ultimately give the BIG Portals one 'helluva' ride, for their money.

You will find, that the print media (newspapers & magazines) are already combining in their approach to both WIN & retain "eyeballs". (LOOK are in the 'hi diddle, diddle')

Murdoch could see that as the case and has openly discussed a need to do something. Looksmart is all dressed up & 'ready to go', some could say. I wouldn't mind it at all.

Cheers !!

:)
LC