Microsoft Buying LinkedIn for $26.2 Billion
Microsoft has announced that it is buying the professional networking service LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. The acquisition brings with it the training Web site Lynda.com, which LinkedIn bought last year. Microsoft said that LinkedIn, which boasts over 400 million users, will retain its current leadership and independence. What’s less clear is how Microsoft will connect LinkedIn with Office 365 and its other services, or if LinkedIn will remain largely separate.
Is it weird that they would announce this the morning of WWDC? Are they hoping it will steal attention or get drowned in the noise? I guess if they wanted it to get drowned in noise they would have announced it Friday afternoon. Maybe they're just oblivious.
It's worth noting that LinkedIn own Lynda.com, the online training platform, and Slideshare, the online presentation platform. I can see those being of interest to Microsoft. As for LinkedIn itself, the only obvious overlap I can see is in advertising.
Back around 1995 or so Lynda opened the Ojai Digital Arts Studio in Ojai California. Since I lived in Ventura California, 30 minutes away, I started taking her weekend classes in Web Design. When she started offering her subscription classes on-line of course I signed up. Since I retired from all things digital around 2002 I had no idea how her business had grown. Glad tosee that she may have made some $$ out of all her hard work!
Time to close my LinkedIn account.
Another thought: I wonder if the person who came up with the sale price is a marathon runner. That's such an insane amount of money. I won't be surprised if Microsoft writes down a big chunk of it within a few years like they did with Nokia.
Hah! I think it's based on $196 per share.