Yahoo: Yang Says He's in Charge, Says Little Else

Apparently, being belligerent/cantankerous/obstinate pays off. All Things Digital's Kara Swisher, one of Yahoo! Inc.'s (YHOO) sharpest critics, landed an exclusive interview with company CEO Jerry Yang. The interview covers a wide range of topics, but doesn't shed much light into two of the more pressing issues surrounding Yahoo, namely its pursuit of AOL LLC and the status of its proposed search outsourcing deal with rival Google Inc. (GOOG).

With regards to AOL, Yang declined comment, but did say the company can be "opportunistic" in pursuing acquisitions in the current economic climate. He also mentions he believes Yahoo stock is "cheap," but nothing to suggest it will be authorizing buybacks anytime soon.

Likewise, he provides no update on talks with the Justice Department regarding the company's proposed search advertising deal with Google, though he does say that "no one has walked away" from talks with the regulatory body.

Swisher also asks about a possible search deal with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT). Yang responds that there's nothing to say on that front, but that the company is willing "to talk to them about anything." Way to cover your ass, Jerry.

Finally, for those who believe that only new leadership can pull Yahoo out of its current malaise, it doesn't look as though Yang is going anywhere. He says he thinks he is "absolutely the right person" to lead Yahoo and the "best person to guide Yahoo through this volatile time."

- David Shabelman

See Oct. 23 post from All Things Digital
See Oct. 23 post from Silicon Alley Insider

Comments

[Christopher...:]

I'm fine with Jerry Yang running the ship as long as they continue to innovate and give people more and "new" reasons to search with Yahoo vs anyone else. If that does not happen then Yahoo is doomed to continue sliding backwards - and eventualy MSFT will either buy them or beat them.

2008 Oct 26 02:18 PM

[luca:]

why is yahoo's search engine not as efficient as google's

2008 Oct 27 07:16 PM