Even though valuations for most public companies are down right now and experts are whispering the word "recessions," M&A activity is expected to be strong in 2008. But what are the real implications of these deals?

The Jordan, Edmiston Group Inc., recently reported that 2007 was a banner year for M&A in the media and information industries, as 838 transactions were completed, valued at nearly $110 billion. Online media and marketing services companies dominated the action, with over 550 transactions completed for a total value of more than $43 billion. All this M&A activity is rapidly altering the ecosystem of the interactive marketing business. Even though valuations for most public companies are down right now and experts are whispering the word "recessions," M&A activity is expected to be strong in 2008. But what are the real implications of these deals? Will they lead to better service for marketers and their agencies or just more confusion? This is not the first time interactive has been through such a strong M&A cycle. Will it come out on top or will the bubble burst again? Will those with previous downturn experience take control and guide the shakeout of players who have scaled capabilities. Are individual acquisitions really done for altruistic reasons? What is serving marketers best -- M&A or partner integration? How much M&A is done due to fear of Google?

These and many more questions will be answered in this panel of interactive luminaries, all of whom have personally been involved in M&A on one level or another and have unparalleled knowledge of the market to shed some light on what we can expect in the upcoming months and years and how our business will change.

GET THE PODCAST

• [RSS] Add the iMedia Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3)


• [MP3] Download the show (MP3)

Speaker(s): Michael Cassidy, David Moore, Dave Morgan, John Vincent and Tolman Geffs

Format: 00:37:14, 42.6MB, MP3