The owner of one of the Web's largest networks of technology news and information has hired a mainstream media executive to plot strategy and planning. Rich Marino has been named group president of the online media division at VA Software Corp., which is best known as a distributor of open source software. What many people don't know is that it also owns Slashdot.org, SourceForge.net, Linux.com and NewsForge.com. The sites reach 30 million different visitors a month, VA Software said.
Marino's background includes 10 years as president and CEO of the publisher of PC World magazine and a COO stint at CNET Networks Inc. Such a move is overdue for VA, according to former Morgan Stanley technology industry analyst, David Jackson.
In a posting on his investment blog network, SeekingAlpha.com, Jackson argued VA Software is an "undervalued Internet advertising play." With advertisers now paying rates which are almost double those a year ago, and traffic to the sites increasing, the hiring of Marino indicates the company's getting serious about boosting sales, profits, and even its own visibility.
I agree! VA Software is in a great position and a very important online media sector. Can't wait to see what the mid to long-term holds for this company!
Posted by: Forward Thinker | May 15, 2006 at 16:17
VA Software's sites have had a huge audience for a very long time. I'm surprised they haven't done more to leverege them for profit. I imagine this new hire will make a big difference.
However, their tech savvy audience isn't very friendly to online advertising. Many readers ignore ads (as I do) or add plug-ins to their browsers to block the ads completely. I'm afraid they'll start to do more intrusive adversising, like sponsored links within articles. This would hurt their image. I think as long as they stick to the tech-savvy crowds rules they'll be ok. But they better not step over the line or they'll lose much of their audience completely.
Posted by: veridicus | May 16, 2006 at 14:53