The Drum Awards for Marketing - Extended Deadline

-d -h -min -sec

Google Technology Disney

Twitter reported to be fielding buyout bids this week as Salesforce calls the social network an 'unpolished jewel'

Author

By Rebecca Stewart, Trends Editor

October 5, 2016 | 3 min read

Twitter is expected to review bids from interested buyout parties this week, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Twitter Natalie Kerris

Twitter is reported to be fileding buyout bids this week / Twitter

Among those reported to be interesting in scooping up the social network are Disney, Google and Salesforce.

The latter's chief executive Marc Benioff has apparently been building the case to Salesforce investors as to why the firm should purchase Twitter, describing it as an "unpolished jewel," with potential to grow in terms of advertising, e-commerce and data.

Quoting the chief's comments from an interview over the weekend, the Wall Street Journal claims Benioff called data "the currency in software’s new world order," though noted he wasn't specifically commenting on the Twitter rumours.

"I’m looking hard at unique data-rich companies and what I can do to make them more powerful and innovative if combined with Salesforce," he added.

The paper alleges that at a recent private dinner he told a dozen tech leaders that Twitter was an “unpolished jewel" and a "great brand", adding that he wants to make it a "great company."

The contrasting business models of all the companies believed to be in talks with Twitter are emblematic of just how hard it's been for the platform to pin down what its core product actually stands for. It's chief marketing officer Lesley Berland has been working hard to push its fresh 'See What's Happening' positioning, but any party that takes on Twitter long-term is likely to be faced with refining this and tackling other high-profile issues like online abuse and trolls.

Twitter has yet to comment on any of the rumours surrounding a buyout, with its value being placed at the $16bn mark.

Google Technology Disney

More from Google

View all

Trending

Industry insights

View all
Add your own content +