LinkedIn on News Corp rumour: No comment
November 23 Mike Butcher
LinkedIn chairman Reid Hoffman has responded to my story of yesterday. He confirms that there are rumours that LinkedIn is in buyout talks with News Corporation - but does not confirm them. He reserves the right not to comment now, on the basis that there “may be some truth to them” at some point in the future. He also says he is “entertained” by them.
Hoffman emailed TechCrunch on what is the US Thanksgiving Day holiday to say:
“I am being entertained by the same rumors. Our policy on rumors is “no comment” since in almost everycase [sic.] they are/have been wrong — but we want to reserve the option of saying no comment if and when there may be some truth to them. So, no comment on rumors as always. Have a great turkey day.”
I guess all I can say is that - to borrow a phrase from Mandy Rice Davies - he would say that, wouldn’t he.
But I’ll leave you with this thought: companies entertaining a sale, or already in talks with another party, typically send their chairmen on massive press tours to talk up the proposition.
This week Hoffman was interviewed in the Daily Telegraph, and yesterday he visited BBC News and the BBC’s Newsnight team, as well as The Financial Times.
November 23rd, 2007 at 12:17 pm
November 24th, 2007 at 11:28 am
November 28th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Comments
November 23rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Erk, I already wasn’t a fan of LinkedIn but now I feel outright dirty using it.
*shudder*
November 24th, 2007 at 10:40 am
It’s official TCUK is now Thames ValleyWag. Well done for getting Reid to say no comment. What would he say. He has chosen a line from James Bond - Never say Never [again].
November 24th, 2007 at 1:54 pm
@Paul Smith. Paul, Paul, Paul. I despair. If you think you’re going to upset me comparing the story to something from Valley Wag then you are sorely mistaken. Come on man! Let’s hear some analytical criticism. Give it some welly!
November 24th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
OK Mike here you go. Please explain how a speculation from Thomas Power which he blogged about here http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=92938 becomes a reliable source on Techcrunch?
> http://uk.techcrunch.com/2007/11/22/rumour-news-corp-to-buy-linkedin/
You used to be a good pro journalist who checked his facts and made sure what you wrote had merit. Now you have joined TC it seems like your boss, you blog any fiction and quote it as fact and to make matters worse then your undisclosed partner, Gabe on Techmeme, publishes “anything” TC write and make it the top story of the day.
Everyone should be aware that anything TC writes fact or fiction becomes a top story on Techmeme.
Sadly this journo disease has spread to your friend Jemima Kiss who said “Google will buy Skype” and we all know where that story came from as well with out any facts or merit. Yet it also made Techmeme as the top story of the day, probably helped by TC?
If you are going to represent TCUK please make sure you do so honestly and check your facts in future. I look forward to your response. Enough welly?
Of course Reid was not going to deny a possible
November 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Why is my comment still awaiting moderation?
November 26th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
I just can’t wait to interlink my linkedIn and myspace pages!!!! then maybe i can finally have my work colleagues see ads for singles sites intead of the drab ads for career help and the like you get on linkedIn……..kidding aside, i think it’s a great fit for Ruppee in expanding their online presence and increasing potential expansion oppty’s with his other interests.
just not quite sure why linkedIn actually needs them.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
@Paul Smith. Wow. You really gave it to me with both barrels there baby. Let me just go lie down for a while.
Thomas Power is not a reliable source on this story for the simple fact that he was not a source, period. Plus the blog post to which you refer was a full 6 days AFTER I posted this story. The first I heard about Power’s blog was when he posted it in these comments.
Just to be clear, I think that if I get a very reliable lead on something I will pursue it, whether you think I am acting like a journalist or not. I couldn’t give a rat’s arse for your approval.
One of the problems I think that has happened to modern journalism - especially business journalism - is that it is now so PR spun it has been utterly castrated. One of the great contributions blogging is making to the pursuit of truth is speed and the ability to put something out there to allow readers to comment on.
However, on reflection I have realised you are right. I will now go back to waiting for the press release to be issued by News Corp of its LinkedIn dealings, like the timid journalist you seem to prefer!
November 26th, 2007 at 10:34 pm
Got to love to fight in you Mike.
Bring it on, I’m watching and reading … and if you spout bullshit I’ll call you out and if it is good I’ll praise you. laters