On May 19, 2010 I published: Associated Content Served Yahoo Style. Shortly thereafter, Darnell Witt one of Associated Content’s Community Managers posted the following comment to my article.
“Hey Han- In case you haven’t seen it, we have responded to the statement made by the AP in our Forum and on Twitter, and in the comments of our announcements on Facebook and the Blog. The report that Yahoo is closing Associated Content is absolutely false. All of the information in our FAQ is accurate: http://i.acdn.us/siteimg/yahoo_faq.html Not worry – we’re not going away. :)”
Additionally, Associated Content Co-Founder and President Luke Beatty tweeted the following: “@Gregoriancant AC is not closing! The DEAL is closing in the 3rd quarter – not the site!!!!! Sheesh! PLS RT”
Darnell Witt has always been a straight shooter with me. He has always been a valuable resource and definitely an asset to the Associated Content staff. Therefore, I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of his words. Accordingly, I am a bit more encouraged. However, I don’t think the questions are answered as of yet.
First, to the best of my knowledge the Associated Press has not edited their original article or retracted their infamous statement about the future of the Associated Content’s website. Again, if you read the last line of that article it clearly does not deliver the message that Luke Beatty communicates in his tweet.
Second, I encourage anyone who cares about this matter to visit the link that Darnell Witt provided in his comment to my article. It provides a very thorough analysis of the deal between Yahoo! and Associated Content. Here is the link for easy reference: http://i.acdn.us/siteimg/yahoo_faq.html. What is of potential concern is the following section from that piece. It is written as follows:
“Where will my content be published?
Content will continue to be published at www.associatedcontent.com at this point. Specific assignments may be published to different sites and or partners – check your assignment details for this info. As always, we will communicate any changes we make to the location or re-location of your content assets.”
The words “at this point” seem to leave the door open as to the future location of each Associated Content Contributor’s content. This in particular perks up my ears when it is followed with Associated Content’s vow to communicate changes, regarding this subject matter. Also, interestingly enough, there is no credit as to the author of this piece.
Now keep in mind the original article titled: Associated Content Served Yahoo! Style was published in an attempt to flush out the facts of this deal. It is in no way casting a positive or negative opinion on the deal itself.
It will be interesting to see if the Associated Press updates their article or retracts their specific statement, regarding the future of Associated Content, the website. It will also be of interest to see if senior officials for either Yahoo! or Associated Content offer specific written clarification on this matter. With so much at stake, I am not sure if tweets or comments on the Associated Content facebook site or blog are the sort of declaration that will meet the threshold of satisfaction for Associated Content Contributors.
http://yhoo.client.shareholder.com/press/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=471175
http://associatedcontent.blogspot.com/2010/05/exciting-news.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Yahoo-buys-freelance-news-apf-1845045227.html?x=0&.v=4
Originally published on Associated Content / Yahoo Contributor Network (YCN) on May 19, 2010
Note: Edited to consistently use the ! in Yahoo!’s official name, unless referencing a source that does not use that punctuation mark.
© Copyright, Han Van Meegerin – All Rights Reserved
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Associated Content Served Yahoo Style
Han Van Meegerin
