Yahoo has acquired Associated Content for what is believed to be about $100 million. This deal should give the content portal a new angle and technology for low-cost media and crowd-sourced content.
Associated Content puts out freelancer-produced content that is optimized for searches. AOL had been seen as a potential buyer, but it went with its Seed service instead.
“Combining our world-class editorial team with Associated Content’s makes this a game-changer,” Yahoo CEO Carol Bartz said in a statement. “Together, we’ll create more content around what we know our users care about, and open up new and creative avenues for advertisers to engage with consumers across our network.”
Founded in 2004, Associated Content manages over 16 million unique users per month and an editorial staff that reviews more than 50,000 pieces of content per month, notes comScore. Associated Content claims 380,000 contributors writing on any number of topics.
Yahoo is changing its tack with this deal, looking towards low-cost production of content on Yahoo Sports and its entertainment site OMG rather than more expensive approaches.
Source: AdvertisingAge
