DOW JONES NEWSWIRES
CBS Corp. (CBS) said it agreed to acquire Clicker Media Inc.--an
Internet guide of legal broadcast programming content that can be
found online--and named its co-founder as the head of the
broadcasting company's interactive division.
Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
Jim Lanzone, who is also the former CEO of Ask.com, will become
president of CBS Interactive, a role that oversees all of that
unit's worldwide operations. The company's interactive segment has
benefited as advertisers are buying across both TV and the Web. The
business is also expanding its presence across mobile
platforms.
Lanzone held various executive roles at Ask.com, which was
acquired by IAC/InteractiveCorp. (IACI) in 2005, and according to
CBS, he was one of the executives most responsible for turning
around Ask Jeeves prior to its sale.
He succeeds Neil Ashe, who served as president of CBS
Interactive since the company acquired CNET Networks Inc. in June
2008. Ashe in December announced he would leave CBS upon the naming
of a successor.
Launched in late 2009, Clicker has indexed more than 1 million
online television shows, movies and videos, from free and paid
services. The company has growth potential as more video content is
streamed online. Clicker.com will be folded into the interactive
unit's roster, which includes TV.com, CBS.com, CBSSports.com and
other Internet properties.
Last month, CBS reported its fourth-quarter profit more than
quadrupled as revenue and core earnings rose in each of its
business segment. The company's interactive unit's display
advertising revenue was up 18%, and CBS said its namesake website
has been the number one TV network website for 25 straight months
in terms of unique viewers.
Shares were down 3.2% at $23.58 in recent trading, amid a broad
market downturn. The stock is up 24% this year.
-By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480;
john.kell@dowjones.com