Publications
Publications
- April 2005 (Revised June 2006)
- HBS Case Collection
Yahoo! Messenger: Network Integration
By: Thomas R. Eisenmann and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld
Abstract
Describes Yahoo!'s management of the launch of version 6.0 of its Instant Messenger (IM) product, which incorporates features from 12 other Yahoo! properties, including Search, Music, Games, Photos, Personals, News, and Shopping. The integration of features from so many properties--all of which face urgent competitive priorities beyond their support of IM--presents a complex set of product and strategy development problems. Yahoo! has a distinctive approach for managing such "network integration," which it sees as its key competitive advantage vs. Google and Microsoft's MSN.
Keywords
Integration; Business Units; Technology Platform; Online Technology; Search Technology; Competitive Advantage; Web Services Industry; Information Technology Industry; United States
Citation
Eisenmann, Thomas R., and Alison Berkley Wagonfeld. "Yahoo! Messenger: Network Integration." Harvard Business School Case 805-102, April 2005. (Revised June 2006.)
About The Author
