By David Kaplan
With the Justice Department considering whether to look more deeply into the Google/Yahoo (NSDQ: YHOO) search ad pact for potential antitrust violations, Google (NSDQ: GOOG) has been aggressively mounting a public relations campaign defending the tie-up. On Friday, Yahoo President Sue Decker had her say in a rare post on Yahoo's official blog. She had several points to convey about the deal: one, that Yahoo be a stronger competitor in all aspects of online advertising; and secondly, it is not exiting the sponsored search business. Decker also stressed that the partnership will not give Google 90% of all search marketing.
While Decker's post had five comments on it by Sunday night, she succeeded in attracting attention and appeared to make a fairly compelling case - but is it too little, too late? Some highlights from reviews of Decker's post included:
• AllThingsD: With mounting criticism and Google being the lone voice arguing in favor of the "Yahoogle," Kara Swisher says that Decker's response comes not a moment too soon. After all, even the Canadians are considering regulatory action. Swisher praises Decker's "just the fact, ma'am" approach and finds her rebuttal to the deal's critics sensible and straightforward.
• Portfolio: Where Swisher found Decker's post clear and reasonable, Sam Gustin detects fear, resignation and "stridency." "In the end, Decker "may feel a showdown with the government is inevitable."
• Search Engine Journal: Google creates an entire website and FAQ offering a series of points and counterpoints about the ad pact and all Yahoo can muster is a single blog post? Decker's post essentially covers the same territory Google did, but the DOJ should take their points into account.
From paidContent:
• Industry Moves: Howard Handler joins EMI music to head North American marketing
• Top 100 media companies revs slowest since 2001
• Tivo's software launches on a PC
• McClatchy loan deal wins it flexibility - with costs
• Baidu invests $15m in Chinese online TV operator UiTV
From paidContent:UK:
• AOL, O2, Microsoft on board of new child safety group
• EU strikes off France's three strikes, but French will go ahead anyway
• All-you-can-eat mobile music: a market waiting to explode?
• BT's Phorm trial starting tomorrow
• Industry Moves: Guardian names Happold multimedia head
