Yahoo AU drops LookListings for Overture

Expected to begin Q1 2004.

[keeper]

Just read the Australian Financial Review this morning to see the long awaited news of Yahoo! dropping Looksmart for Overture listings.

I dont have a link as AFR is subscription, will check if any other online press picked up the news...

In the article Looksmart admits: "After the fourth quarter of 2003, we likely will not be able to maintain profitability".

[merlin78]

Thanks Keeper....shame about Looksmart but I guess that's just the nature of the industry.

Whatever happens with them, it is no longer possible to get anywhere near the success that they have had over the last few years.

[sanity]

Thanks for the info Keeper.

In the article Looksmart admits: "After the fourth quarter of 2003, we likely will not be able to maintain profitability".

Is that referring to LS in general or LS AU? I've always found LS AU to be great. I've had to deal with the reps there a bit lately too and they're really helpful.

[keeper]

The quote was from a quarterly filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, so I'd say thats the whole operation.

I've dealt with the LS AU guys as well and they are certainly a different breed to the US ;)

[TomWaits]

Silly question: Does Overture AU exist, or does this mean they're rolling out a new Overture AU office?

[keeper]

They haven't launched their service yet. Its expected around mid Jan.

They have an office here and are doing a lot of promotion during the lead up. I believe they will be looking to add to their syndication partner list now that Yahoo is on board.

They will probably want as many as possible sewn up by Jan.

[TomWaits]

Excellent. Thank you. We've been looking for more Australian exposure beyond AdWords, and weren't touching LookSmart.