AOL Sells ICQ to Russian investors for $187.5 million - GoFuckYourself.com

Monique Niccole · 04-29-2010, 10:32 AM

Quote:

MOSCOW & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL - News) and Digital Sky Technologies Limited (DST), the largest Internet company in the Russian-speaking and Eastern European markets, announced today that they have reached an agreement for DST to acquire ICQ ? the leading instant messaging service in Russia and a number of other international markets ? for $187.5 million.

ICQ was created in 1996 by the Israeli company Mirabilis. AOL acquired the assets of Mirabilis, primarily ICQ, in June 1998. Available in 16 languages, ICQ has more than 32 million unique visitors per month.* Approximately 80 percent of ICQ users are between the ages of 13 and 29 and spend an average of more than five hours a day connected to the service, according to internal data. ICQ has built a successful presence in markets like Russia, Germany, Czech Republic and Israel.

?The acquisition of ICQ is a strategic enhancement of our business in Russia and Eastern Europe. ICQ?s long-standing brand name and its sizeable loyal customer base together represent a very attractive opportunity to further strengthen our position in the region,? said Yuri Milner, Chief Executive Officer of DST.

?As AOL continues its turnaround effort, we?re fortunate to find a great home for ICQ with DST,? said Tim Armstrong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AOL. ?DST is a leading innovator in the Internet investment space and has a significant presence in the markets where ICQ is strong. Founded and run in Israel, ICQ has been a revolutionary company on the Internet. We wish them great success as a part of DST and will be rooting for them going forward.?

*February 2010 comScore Media Metrix data

About Digital Sky Technologies

DST was founded in 2005 and is the largest Internet company in the Russian-speaking and Eastern European markets and one of the leading investment groups globally to exclusively focus on Internet related companies. DST, together with its affiliate DST Global, also hold stakes in Internet world leaders such as Facebook, Zynga and GroupOn. DST is a privately held company backed by leading Russian and Western financial institutions. For more information please visit www.dst-global.com.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/aol-s...dst-fyi-2010-4

That's a ton of cash. I wonder what plans the new owners have for the service. I haven't used native ICQ since I switched to Trillian years ago, but I'd love to see ICQ get some better features.

sexdatesj · 04-29-2010, 10:33 AM

well, that explains all the damn russian ICQ spam!

TeenCat · 04-29-2010, 10:38 AM

MOSCOW & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- From next update icq will be available in russian language only.

96ukssob · 04-29-2010, 10:39 AM

my guess is one of these:

1) unlimited Russian spamming

2) Russians will use ICQ to learn to speak english by talking over IM... then spam them!

Monique Niccole · 04-29-2010, 11:06 AM

I doubt if they'd turn it into a spam-fest. These are the same investors who have a stake in Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon -- all at over $1 billion valuation.

XSV · 04-29-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexdatesj

well, that explains all the damn russian ICQ spam!

This was my first thought... daily barrage of requests is insane some days.

TrainWreckContent · 04-29-2010, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexdatesj

well, that explains all the damn russian ICQ spam!

i know it seems like i get them daily

Naechy · 04-29-2010, 11:39 AM

great business 4 AOL

Cyber Fucker · 04-29-2010, 11:39 AM

First Skype, now ICQ

...

I see what you did there... yeah, Russians got enough money to do that...

chupachups · 04-29-2010, 11:40 AM

They cant fuck it up more than aohell did..

WiredGuy · 04-29-2010, 12:17 PM

Hmmm, as I recall AOL bought it for 400 million and they unloaded it for less than half? Wow.
WG

chupachups · 04-29-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiredGuy

Hmmm, as I recall AOL bought it for 400 million and they unloaded it for less than half? Wow.
WG

287 actually

Chosen · 04-29-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyber Fucker

First Skype, now ICQ

...

I see what you did there... yeah, Russians got enough money to do that...

What's about Skype?

CDSmith · 04-29-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monique Niccole

I doubt if they'd turn it into a spam-fest. These are the same investors who have a stake in Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon -- all at over $1 billion valuation.

What do you mean "turn it into"? It already is a spamfest.

Maybe they'll find a way to clean it up. That would be good. Maybe these particular russians are GOOD russians.

I'm a dreamer.

MaDalton · 04-29-2010, 02:16 PM

funny - the second i opened this thread i got a russian spam message... :-/

FilthyRob · 04-29-2010, 02:31 PM

I had a few spam request adds today. This news scares me a little..lol

james_clickmemedia · 04-29-2010, 02:40 PM

I switch mine off at night and my spam requests dropped over 90%.

will76 · 04-29-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDSmith

What do you mean "turn it into"? It already is a spamfest.

Maybe they'll find a way to clean it up. That would be good. Maybe these particular russians are GOOD russians.

I'm a dreamer.

Is your ICQ number a newer one? I've had my ICQ number since 2000/01 and rarely get spam. Maybe once or twice a week. I always figured this was because I had an older number and most older numbers are no longer active.

I'm guessing they bought it so they can take all of the short inactive ICQ numbers and sell them.... " I sell short ICQ" to a whole new level!

CDSmith · 04-29-2010, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will76

Is your ICQ number a newer one? I've had my ICQ number since 2000/01 and rarely get spam. Maybe once or twice a week. I always figured this was because I had an older number and most older numbers are no longer active.

I'm guessing they bought it so they can take all of the short inactive ICQ numbers and sell them.... " I sell short ICQ" to a whole new level!

I've had mine since '98.

Waddymelon · 04-29-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDSmith

I've had mine since '98.

Well, I got mine in '97

JD · 04-29-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexdatesj

well, that explains all the damn russian ICQ spam!

CDSmith · 04-29-2010, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddymelon

Well, I got mine in '97

Does yours get spammed much?

To be honest I don't get as much now I was a few months back. For a while there I was getting tons of "17)@#@_)*U has added you", along with several unsoliscited messages in Russian per day.

Lately it's down to just a handful a week.

RaiderCash_Dominik · 04-29-2010, 03:44 PM

I hope they can put an end to all that spam that comes thru.

O MARINA · 04-29-2010, 03:45 PM

I own this

Agent 488 · 04-29-2010, 03:48 PM

word has it DST has ties to the kremlin and kgb and is using this as an information gathering tool. change your passwords.

04-29-2010, 10:33 AM	#2
sexdatesj Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,078	well, that explains all the damn russian ICQ spam! __________________ http://www.SexDateCash.com up to $90 Per Signup ~ WE USE NATS ~ 18 Niche Dating Sites!

04-29-2010, 10:38 AM	#3
TeenCat Too lazy to set a koala Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CZ/EU forever! Posts: 16,139	MOSCOW & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- From next update icq will be available in russian language only. __________________ 6bot / Coming again very soon! Svit Zlin Radio 24/7!

04-29-2010, 10:39 AM	#4
96ukssob So Fucking Banananananas Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: If I was in your ass you'd know it Posts: 12,991	my guess is one of these: 1) unlimited Russian spamming 2) Russians will use ICQ to learn to speak english by talking over IM... then spam them! __________________ Email: Clicky on Me

04-29-2010, 11:39 AM	#8
Naechy Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 6,497	great business 4 AOL __________________ Adult SEO Labs * Buying Links * SEO 666-874

04-29-2010, 11:39 AM	#9
Cyber Fucker Hmm Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On an endless road around the world for rock and roll. Posts: 12,642	First Skype, now ICQ ... I see what you did there... yeah, Russians got enough money to do that... __________________

04-29-2010, 11:06 AM	#5
Monique Niccole Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 5,653	I doubt if they'd turn it into a spam-fest. These are the same investors who have a stake in Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon -- all at over $1 billion valuation.

04-29-2010, 11:40 AM	#10
chupachups Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sweden/Spain you sum bitch! Posts: 6,576	They cant fuck it up more than aohell did.. __________________

04-29-2010, 12:17 PM	#11
WiredGuy Pounding Googlebot Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 34,460	Hmmm, as I recall AOL bought it for 400 million and they unloaded it for less than half? Wow. WG __________________ I play with Google.

04-29-2010, 02:16 PM	#15
MaDalton I am Amazing Content! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 39,822	funny - the second i opened this thread i got a russian spam message... :-/ __________________ AmazingContent.com - providing only the best content and service since 2003 Monetize your content on Veegaz.com - one of Germanies largest VOD sites Got German traffic? We convert it into money for you! Skype: madalton02826 - Email: oltecconsult [at] gmail [dot] com

04-29-2010, 02:31 PM	#16
FilthyRob Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Anaheim - CA Posts: 6,741	I had a few spam request adds today. This news scares me a little..lol __________________ AKA - Clubsexy

04-29-2010, 02:40 PM	#17
james_clickmemedia Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Texas / London Posts: 2,204	I switch mine off at night and my spam requests dropped over 90%. __________________ $ CLICKMEMEDIA.COM $ CONVERTING ETHNIC TRAFFIC SINCE 1998 ~ $30+PPS BLACK-X.COM - NEW BLACK EX-GF SITE CLICKMEMEDIA.COM ~ ICQ - 8788771

04-29-2010, 03:44 PM	#23
RaiderCash_Dominik Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,145	I hope they can put an end to all that spam that comes thru.

04-29-2010, 03:45 PM	#24
O MARINA I'm clockin' ya, Versace shade watchin' ya Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: internet Posts: 13,789	I own this __________________ www.HookUP.Cash

04-29-2010, 03:48 PM	#25
Agent 488 Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 22,511	word has it DST has ties to the kremlin and kgb and is using this as an information gathering tool. change your passwords.