I’m at the Web 2.0 conference for the next few days. First up to the stage today was Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. He neither confirmed nor denied any of the recent rumors about Facebook taking a big investment stake. He was just coy. Here are some highlights from the Q&A:
Q: “How’s the financing going?”
Zuckerberg: “It’s going well. We’re almost wrapped up.”
Q: “Are you selling yourself short at $15 billion?”
Zuckerberg: “We’ll see.”
Q: How’s the [advertising] deal with Microsoft going?
M: “I think we’re both happy.”
Q: “Do you want to build an advertising platform for Facebook, as well as a syndicated version of that?”
Zuckerberg: “You know, we are just getting started. In three months will be a better time to talk about that.”
Q: “In this culture it is said when you take money, at some point you’ve got to bring in a grown-up to run the company. Can you comment on that?”
Zuckerberg: “There is nothing to comment on. . . . The way we have thought about that is just developing a really good team.”
Zuckerberg has already mastered the technique of saying nothing, while still hinting at the endless possibilities before him.
Update: Here’s a video of the entire interview:
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Thanks Erick - no word on the facebook fbfund? Might have been good for him to comment on status and the redo he required.
Q: Can you tell I’m all up on your nut sack on Tech Crunch?
M: “I think we’re both happy.”
Mark is trying not to reveal too much about Facebook. From his answer about the $15billion deal, I could infer that the IPO might be years away.
Talking about bringing in a good team has little to do with leadership. Someone has to make the hard calls, someone has to lead, someone has to inspire the “serious” folks he’s brining into the Company. Anyone can tell that he doesn’t have these qualities, and will soon lose his title.
I seriously can’t see any serious investors buying into this FB going IPO. This is a pissing game between Google and MSFT and MSFT is playing right into Google’s plan if they end up giving these fools that much money.
Two Cows, The Facebook Version:
http://buzzpal.com/cowbook.html
YAY! Another story about Facebook that no one cares about.
I can’t wait for the next pointless article on Facebook when you tell us what kind of underwear Zuckerberg buys. It’s going to be awesome!
That was seriously the smuggest, cockiest interview I’ve ever seen. Someone seriously needs to dethrone facebook’s popularity. Quickly.
What is the point of this? Where are you hiding the real stories?
We need to talk Facey, you can’t have both of us!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
For this one, “no comment”
*blink* *blink*
I wonder if Facebook has a case against Hatebook.org.
Seriously with all due respect, how business savvy can a 23 year old be? It doesn’t matter how book smart he is but come on, gimme a freaking break, sheesh.
@14 Business savvy enough to know who he needs to bring in. Facebook is quickly becoming an international brand, how many web 2.0 entrepreneurs can say that they have that?
Oh yeah… he isn’t business savvy at all. You think Facebook is the last thing you will see from Zuckerburg?
I doouuuuubt it.
I agree with AnonTroll. All he’s done is a cakewalk on the back of the internet’s biggest fad this year. What savvy does that take? Someone’s got to win the lottery, just don’t start talking about how savvy they are at picking numbers.
oh..Mark Zuckerburgs so savvy..hoodleyhoo. you guys sound like a bunch of girls.
give the kid a break. he’s done a lot to grow the company not to mention turn down a cool $1B in the process..i’d say that takes some balls..
@ 17 : Why didn’t you did the same cakewalk . huh ?
I had respect for the man until I found he he stole the code/concept from a friend at Harvard.
I wish with all my heart google kicks his cocky ass and he’s left with nothing but a flying ticket to humbletown.
It’s just a matter of weeks.
For those of you who were wondering how to master the technique of saying nothing while hinting at infinite possibilities, here’s how you can do it:
1. Say nothing.
2. Have a company potentially worth $15 billion under your control.
It’s really just that easy.