Could a Verizon deal help AOL lure Yahoo?
In a deal that might possibly help thwart a Microsoft buyout of Yahoo, AOL’s Platform-A sales network will now start handling all of Verizon’s ad inventory for online video and display ads, as well as on the mobile side. Unveiled today, a hefty and lucrative agreement between the Time Warner division and the huge telephone carrier covers all of Verizon’s ad serving, sales, management, targeting and placement requirements. Meanwhile, after a lengthy meeting on Friday, Yahoo decided to meet with both Microsoft and Time-Warner — separately, it seems — about possible business arrangements with the respective companies. The day before, AOL CEO Randy Falco appeared to almost blatantly court some sort of acquisition for his company, although he left staff hanging in the breeze as to any specifics. Many observers still consider an acquisition by Microsoft as the more likely scenario for Yahoo than any type of agreement with AOL. But particularly now that the deal between AOL and Verizon is s
