Comcast Looks To Mix Web, TV With Plaxo Purchase

Social-Networking Web Company to Remain Based in Silicon Valley

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 5/15/2008 5:45:00 AM

Comcast announced plans Wednesday to acquire social-networking site Plaxo, with the operator looking to eventually bring Web-style content-sharing features to its digital-cable TV and phone customers.

Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Privately held Plaxo, based in Mountain View, Calif., started life as a Web-enabled address book but has since expanded to allow Internet users to share photos, blog posts and other information. Plaxo claims it has registered 50 million accounts. 

The two companies have already worked together for about a year. Plaxo is providing the universal address book for Comcast’s SmartZone, which gives subscribers a "dashboard" interface into communications services, announced in May 2007 and scheduled to launch this year. Plaxo also hosts address book accounts for Comcast's Webmail users.

In a blog post on Plaxo's site, CEO Ben Golub, chief architect Cameron Ring and vice president of products Todd Masonis outlined the rationale for the deal.

"Together, we intend to deliver on a vision of making 'social media' a natural part of the lives of regular people, not just early-adopters," the Plaxo execs wrote. 

For example, someone could post family photos online at Plaxo's site, and have them viewable by family members, "whether they are online, at work, on their mobile device, or in their living room watching TV. And you should be able to discover new shows to watch, based on what your friends and coworkers have recommended."

Investors in Plaxo, which has 50 employees, include Cisco Systems and venture capital firms Sequoia Capital and Globespan Capital Partners.

Comcast and Plaxo said the deal is expected to close "in the near future" subject to customary closing requirements. Plaxo will remain based in Silicon Valley, operating as a division of Comcast Interactive Media.