Last week’s purchase of TechCrunch, Inc. by AOL sent shockwaves through the technology industry leaving many wondering how this deal would impact the content infrastructure of TechCrunch, a leading online blogging network.
According to a press release from TechCrunch, as part of the agreement TechCrunch, “will join the AOL Technology Network while retaining their editorial independence, further bolstering AOL’s position as one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality, tech-oriented content.” TechCrunch Founder Michael Arrington recently explain how the AOL deal would help bolster TechCrunch in a post saying that the site’s tech problems have been challenging for the blog and AOL’s extended resources can help.
From a PR perspective it will be interesting to see if the company will allow TechCrunch to uphold their no-holds barred editorial standards. TechCrunch is well known for its editorial policy of not honoring embargoes and giving preference to exclusive story offers. TechCrunch writers have broken some of the biggest technology stories including Google buying YouTube and Yahoo’s financial analysis of Facebook. While making the announcement at TechCrunch’s Disrupt conference, AOL CEO Tim Armstrong joked with Arrington about TechCrunch’s editorial independence saying, “We’ll try to be as hands-off as possible.”
AOL produces all of its news content in house, if AOL keeps its end of the bargain it should be business as usual for PR professionals who have working relationships with bloggers at TechCrunch. However, if AOL begins to encroach on the editorial content this merger could significantly change the content and spirit of TechCrunch as well as how PR professionals work with the blog. On one hand it could potentially make it easier to secure coverage in the sought-after outlet, however the quality may be compromised from what we’ve come to expect from TechCrunch.
No matter what happens, the media landscape has once again shifted and PR pros will continue to shift with it. Do you think TechCrunch’s editorial content will change as a result of its purchase by AOL?