Marketing Pilgrim Published: "After the Amazing Success of Nexus One (Not), Google to Acquire Motorola" plus 2 more

After the Amazing Success of Nexus One (Not), Google to Acquire Motorola

Posted: 15 Aug 2011 06:24 AM PDT

This time last year, Google was licking its wounds after the dismal failure of its Nexus One phone.
You know, the one designed and sold by Google. A complete Android package from the search giant.
So what better way to celebrate the one year anniversary of that failed experiment than by coughing up $12.5 billion, in CASH, for Motorola and jumping feet first into the handset manufacturing business?
I know, you're checking to make sure it's not April 1st, but this is hot off the wire:

Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) and Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MMI) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Google will acquire Motorola Mobility for $40.00 per share in cash, or a total of about $12.5 billion, a premium of 63% to the closing price of Motorola Mobility shares on Friday, August 12, 2011. The transaction was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies.
The acquisition of Motorola Mobility, a dedicated Android partner, will enable Google to supercharge the Android ecosystem and will enhance competition in mobile computing. Motorola Mobility will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. Google will run Motorola Mobility as a separate business.

Big news, huh? Now Google's heading for uncharted waters with this acquisition. So many questions are raised, including:

How will other handset makers react to this? Will they go running to Windows?
How will Microsoft react to this? Will it go running out to buy its own handset manufacturer?
How will Apple react to this?
And, how will the FTC react to this?

That last question seems to be the one that Google CEO Larry Page is most concerned with–going on the offensive in a blog post announcing the acquisition (emphasis added):

We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android. The U.S. Department of Justice had to intervene in the results of one recent patent auction to "protect competition and innovation in the open source software community" and it is currently looking into the results of the Nortel auction. Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google's patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.

In other words, this is just poor little Google trying to bring a little balance to the Microsoft/Apple dominance.
What are your thoughts Pilgrims?
Join the Marketing Pilgrim Facebook Community

Google Looks to Get Vermont Online

Posted: 15 Aug 2011 06:05 AM PDT

No offense to our readers from the great state of Vermont but if it wasn't for skiing and syrup many folks don't think much about the state. That's not a knock it's just the truth. (Quick: WIthout looking it up what's the state capital of Vermont?)
Well, Google once again showed its new found marketing and outreach chops by taking its Get Your Business Online campaign to the Green Mountain State (yes, I had to look that up but I did know the capital without looking it up). Take a look at this local news report about the big search engine hitting the road and helping spread the word about this Internet thingy.

Google started this program in Texas back in July. Going from Texas to Vermont is like taking your message to two different people groups on different ends of planet even though it's just in the little ol' US of A.
I have to hand it to Google, they are getting out of the office more and it should pay huge dividends in SMB loyalty moving forward. Thanks to Matt Cutts for passing this along (not like he has a vested interest or anything).
Lastly, note to those who think that Google speaking to the outside world is a monopolistic move and is part of the evil plot to shut everyone out of doing business anywhere unless they check in with Google first: shut up and get to work!

A Video Plea That Should Go Viral

Posted: 15 Aug 2011 05:57 AM PDT

Sometimes we all need to be reminded of the power of video and what it can do. Sometimes a message is just right for the medium.
I realize this is not about Internet marketing but you would be hard pressed to find a better example of someone using video to impact others. If nothing else, start your week off with a voice of reason and think about making a difference.