Facebook’s groundbreaking $1B Instagram buy-up was only one of over 23 acquisitions that have happened so far in 2012 – and we’re only at the end of August.
While these acquisitions don’t always have an abrupt effect on your personal world or business, it’s always best to stay abreast of the industry’s big moves – because sometimes the mergers can affect you indirectly.
Besides, ‘fess up: you’ve been curious to know who owns what, but haven’t had enough time to research it yourself. No worries, I’ve done your work for you. Read on for some eye-opening mergers.
16 Major Media Mergers So Far in 2012
1. About.com
Bought by: InterActiveCorp (Ask.com)
Acquisition date: August 27, 2012
Price: $300M
2. Getty Images
Bought by: personal equity firm Carlyle Group
Acquisition date: August 15, 2012
Price: $3.3B
3. Variety (entertainment magazine)
Bought by: Avenue Capital Group
Acquisition date: August 13, 2012
Price: $40M
4. The Bleacher Report (sports blog)
Bought by: Turner Broadcasting
Acquisition date: August 6, 2012
Price: $300M
5. Yammer (an intra-company social network service)
Bought by: Microsoft
Acquisition date: July 25, 2012
Price: $1.2B
6. Nerdist Industries (original geeky web videos, blog, etc.)
Bought by: Legendary Entertainment
Acquisition date: July 10, 2012
Price: Not disclosed
7. Spin Magazine
Bought by: blog conglomerate Buzz Media
Acquisition date: July 10, 2012
Price: Not disclosed
8. Face.com (facial recognition app company)
Bought by: Facebook
Acquisition date: June 18, 2012
Price: $100M
9. Motorola Mobility
Bought by: Google
Acquisition date: May 19, 2012
Price: $12.5B
10. Slideshare
Bought by: LinkedIn
Acquisition date: May 3, 2012
Price: $119M
11. TagTile (company recommendation hardware/software)
Bought by: Facebook
Acquisition date: April 13, 2012
Price: Not disclosed
12. Instagram
Bought by: Facebook
Acquisition date: April 9, 2012
Price: $1B
13. Travel Channel International
Bought by: Scripps Networks (HGTV, Food Channel, etc.)
Acquisition date: March 22, 2012
Price: $103M
14. Mashable
Bought by: CNN
Acquisition date: March 12, 2012
Price: $200M
15. The New Republic (political magazine)
Bought by: Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes
Acquisition date: March 9, 2012
Price: $100M
16. NCR (Blockbuster) video kiosks
Bought by: Redbox (owned by Coinstar)
Acquisition date: February 6, 2012
Price: $100M
Curious for more?
There are more buy-ups where these came from, and you can check out TheWrap.com (click "Media") or VentureBeat (click “Deals”, then “Acquisitions”) to stay on top of the industry’s major moves.
Flickr photo by artistindoingnothing.
