Demand Media worth $1 billion


Financial trends and news by Bambi Francisco Roizen
September 26, 2007 | Comments (5)
Short URL: http://vator.tv/n/5e

5

Demand Media Chief Executive

Demand Media logo

 

Richard Rosenblatt, one of the angel investors in Vator.tv and best known as former MySpace chairman, just pinged me to let me know that I can now share with the world that he closed a $100 million round of financing. The latest valuation for Demand Media is now $1 billion. 

 

Based on Richard's estimate of about $100 million in advertising, that's a much more palatable multiple than the 60-plus times revenue multiple that Micrososft is reportedly considering for Facebook. According to many reports, Microsoft is considering making an investment in Facebook that would value the social network at some $10 billion. Facebook is expected to generate $130 million in sales this year. 

 

Both valuations are significantly lofty, with Demand Media less so. Congratulations to Richard on such a premium price. But as Jimmy Wu (Internet analyst and hedge fund manager) said regarding Facebook's potential valuation, a high price today could be a double-edged sword. As he puts it, leaving some money on the table, or taking a low valuation, would serve future employees and prospective public market investors, especially since the business model is still young and rapidly evolving.

 

Ironically, while Demand Media is valued at 10 times this year's sales, it's highly unlikely Richard would pay the same multiple for companies he's acquiring. 

 

In total, Demand Media has raised $320 million. Most of those funds are going toward acquiring niche sites , such as ExpertVillage.com, SoYouWanna.com, GardenGuides.com, Golflink.com and MountainZone.com. 

Here's a great article in Forbes.com about Richard and Demand Media.  

5 comments

Robert Goldberg
Robert Goldberg, on September 26, 2007
This is a bit of an apples to oranges comparison. For one thing the Microsoft deal is just a rumor now and for another its a strategic investment versus the one just closed by Demand which is financial investment. Strategics are know to invest at higher valuations since the objectives are different. But agree that the Demand valuation is still lofty. Definitely a trend for later stage deals.

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Thom Calandra
Thom Calandra, on September 26, 2007
Well. one has to hand it to RR: he keeps mixing up bigger and better margaritas. At this rate, he'll need to get into the tequila biz to keep the juice gushing. Nastrovya, as they say in Russian. thomcalandra.com

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Comment_gbg
TheMuse ., on September 26, 2007
all of the smart guys are selling out while the dogs are eating the dog food (and big company exec's are drinking the Koolaid again) it's amazing what it says about the buyers more than it says anything about the sellers. The sellers always know a good time to sell when they see it

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Claude Rallins
Claude Rallins, on September 27, 2007
The internet is still in the "early adapter" years, domestically and more so globally. The odds are that this/DM's 'new media' co. valuation will prove to be on the low side. Congrats to Richard and Demand Media!

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Comment_gbg
Mohamed Buhamad, 135 days ago
great man

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