Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories

Free Switched iPhone app - try it now!

AOL Tech

AOL
MAIL

Switched

Desktop:
Windows
OS X
Linux

AOL completes take-over of Bebo

by Cory Bohon on May 19, 2008 at 10:00 PM

AOL completed its acquisition of social networking site Bebo today. You may remember that AOL announced it would buy Bebo for $850 million back in March. According to InformationWeek Bebo will be the center of AOL's new People Network business unit. Heading up this business unit is Joanna Shields who will serve as president. This "People Network" will consist of three AOL services: AIM, ICQ, and now Bebo.

While Bebo is most popular in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand, AOL is hoping grow this upcoming social network in the US. Silicon Alley Insider seems to think AOL will layoff employees working in the AIM/ICQ division due to the restructuring process.

What do you think? Did AOL make a good decision? Do you think this acquisition puts AIM at risk? Be sure to voice your opinion in the comments!

Disclaimer: AOL is the parent company of Weblogs, Inc. which owns DownloadSquad.

[via InformationWeek]

Tags: AOL, Bebo, social network, SocialNetwork

Comments

robotrockMay 19th 2008 10:10PM

Neutral

I don't think AIM is at risk. I just hope when they lay off a bunch of people this Christmas (again...for the umpteenth time) that they can find a good excuse for spending nearly a billion dollars on Bebo...

Dislike

Report

BlackCoffeeNoSugarMay 20th 2008 8:15AM

Neutral

Another victim of AOL: How many people are still using ICQ and Winamp?

Dislike

Report

JayMay 20th 2008 9:35AM

Neutral

I'm surprised that Microsoft didn't attempt to purchase this social network given their need to expand into the internet space based on competition from Google.

This move is smart for AOL as they expand their reach in Europe and hopefully improve their market share on that contient.

Dislike