NYT writer Andrew Ross Sorkin provides a fascinating account of how the deal between Google and YouTube was struck. Basically, the discusions started at a Denny’s near YouTube’s offices — yes, Denny’s – in San Bruno just last week, with the founders of YouTube Chad Hurley and Steve Chen and Google co-founder Larry Page and CEO Eric Schmidt:
“The deal came together in a matter of days. After rebuffing a series of other overtures, YouTube’s founders decided to have lunch on Wednesday with Google’s co-founder, Larry Page, and its chief executive, Eric E. Schmidt. The idea of a deal had been broached a few days earlier. The setting was classic Silicon Valley start-up: a booth at Denny’s near YouTube’s headquarters in San Bruno, Calif. The Google executives threw out an offer of $1.6 billion and autonomy to continue running the business.
“That set off a marathon of meetings and conference calls over the next two days, which kicked into even higher gear on Friday, when news of the talks began to circulate, putting pressure on Google to sign a deal before a rival bid emerged. In fact, the News Corporation sent a letter to YouTube seeking to start talks but never received a response.”
October 12, 2006 at 5:35 am
There is NO Denny’s in San Bruno. Are you sure that’s where they met? The video is in front of Friday’s. I have lived here for years and know that’s one thing we are missing, OK maybe not missing!
October 12, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Thanks for the comment. The video clip of the 2 founders was taken on the day the deal was announced on Monday. I think you’re right that it occurs outside Friday’s, given the red and white awning in the background.
The Denny’s meeting supposedly took place some time last week. What’s the closest Denny’s to San Bruno?
October 12, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Also, YouTube HQ is in San Mateo, not San Bruno - it’s on youtube web site.
October 12, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Yes, that’s true. There old offices were in San Mateo, over a pizza joint. But they moved last weekend to San Bruno.