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How did Microsoft's (MSFT) $6.3B acquisition of aQuantive turn into a $6.2B write-down? Former...

  • Thursday, July 12, 2012, 6:22 PM ET
    How did Microsoft's (MSFT) $6.3B acquisition of aQuantive turn into a $6.2B write-down? Former execs interviewed by GeekWire blame a focus on search ads at the expense of display ads; interference from other Microsoft units (a common complaint); heavy brain drain; and difficulties integrating aQuantive's various products. It's suggested aQuantive's missteps have led Microsoft to take a more hands-off approach with Skype, another costly, highly-criticized purchase. (also: I, II)
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This news story has 3 comments:

  •  
    Microsoft mngt took their eye off the ball on this one. They are either "too big to grow" or "too slow to thrive". In either case, this $6b failure cost them a lot more than that in lack of focus on the tablet/mobile boom. They may catch up with W8, but they shouldn't be this far behind in the first place!
    12 Jul 2012, 10:08 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Everything MSFT touches turns to lead.

    The only winners are the owners of the target company.

    The engineers and designers are screwed and the integration always has a Yahoo!-level pathos.

    Only ORCL is able to successfully integrate its acquisitions.

    MSFT should stick to what it knows best...defending Office market share.
    12 Jul 2012, 10:12 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Bad acquirers: MSFT, HPQ, INTC, YHOO

    Good integrators: BRKA, CSCO, GE, GOOG, IBM, JNJ, ORCL, UTX
    12 Jul 2012, 11:10 PM Reply Like
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