Mark Zuckerberg Confirms: Facebook is NO Google Killer
The tech blogosphere had a date with Facebook founder & CEO Mark Zuckerberg last evening, a 60 Minutes one! Facebook watchers learned nothing new, however, not from Zuckerberg, Lesley Stahl or invited guest commentators.
Most surprisingly, Kara Swisher is surprised no one acknowledged the social networking elephant in the room, not even herself!:
Inexplicably, ZERO mention of its bigger rival, MySpace, even once.
Surprising, too, is Swisher hailing Facebook as ”the new Google.” In fact, the “who needs Google, we’ve got Facebook,” meme was a recurring one, underscored by each and every non-Facebook representative.
Stahl affirmed of Zuckerberg’s Facebook: “The biggest thing since Google…You seem to be replacing Larry and Sergey, as the people out here who everyone is talking about.”
Forrester’s Charlene Li glowingly gushed on how the next time she is going on vacation, she is going to Facebook, NOT Google, because ALL her friends are on Facebook, and Google has TOO MUCH information anyway. Li is professionaly biased to automated word of mouthg marketing. BUT, Facebook as the most efficient way to book a hotel, find the lowest airfare, learn about a city’s history???
HOW does Zuckerberg see himself and Facebook? Stahl disclaimed her inability to get any information out of “the face of Facebook”: “We were warned about being Zuckerberg being awkward and reluctant to talk about himself.”
NOT surprisingly, Zuckerberg is also reluctant to talk about who he competes against. Facebook, THE Google “slayer,” though, was the apparent Facebook PR approved meme of Stahl’s 60 Minutes (non) expose.
Stahl and company were welcome by Facebook to talk up Google because in doing so Zuckerebrg is elevated as “the next Larry & Sergey,” all rolled into one. Facebook, however, prevents EVERYONE from talking about the real Zuckerberg competition: Tom Anderson’s “everyone is my friend” MySpace.
Publicist control of television interviews is old news. Given Facebook’s particularly aggressive command and control “communications” style, it is a given that MySpace would not exist in any high profile “exclusive” accorded.
As I have underscored here at Insider Chatter for months, Facebook has an official PR policy that specifically prohibits any mention of MySpace and all Facebook competitors:
Words NOT to be used regarding Facebook: college site, social networking site
No direct or perceived competitors to Facebook may be referenced
MySpace bad, Google good then for the 60 minutes go ahead?
Mark Zuckerberg welcomes Google comparison talk becasue he WISHES Facebook was a viable Google competitor.
MORE: 2008 Social Media Warning: Beware Google AND Facebook
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