Yahoo refocuses on CEO hunt, eyes Hulu chief
updated 03:50 pm EST, Wed December 21, 2011
Slot critical to attracting possible investors
Since September, Yahoo has been searching for potential buyers for itself. Although there have been many potential suitors, with no apparent deal close at hand, the company is now refocusing itself on permanently filling the CEO slot, which has been vacant since Carol Bartz was fired abruptly three months ago. All Things D, citing its sources, claims that Yahoo's board is looking at Hulu's CEO Jason Kilar.
Yahoo currently has a market capitalization of about $18.4 billion. Companies that are reported have taken a look at Yahoo have included Microsoft and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, in which Yahoo has a 40 percent stake. Yahoo, however, is reported to have changed its intent to attracting a partial investment by private investment concerns rather than an all out acquisition. Two such potential investors are Thomas Lee Partners and Silver Lake Partners.
To attract even a minority investment, Yahoo needs to reestablish confidence in its management. Finding permanent CEO would be the first necessary step. Beyond Kilar, other rumored candidates for the position include Google's Nikesh Arora, Juniper CEO Kevin Johnson, online advertising entrepreneur Brian McAndrews, and Yahoo board member David Kenny.
