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At times it seems Internet entrepreneur Alan Meckler has always been able to stay one step ahead of the game.

Back in 1998 when the world was awash with money looking to invest in Internet plays, Meckler was able to sell his Mecklermedia Corp., a collection of technology trade publications, to Penton Media in a deal valued at about $275 million. He was able to obtain top dollar for the print assets two years before the market cratered and instead kept all of the company’s online assets.

Since then he has taken advantage of market timing to build and sell off pieces of his remaining holdings, including the unloading of Jupiter Research.

Now comes word that Meckler has decided it’s a good time to pare off parts of his WebMediaBrands business (formerly Jupitermedia). In a deal announced Monday, WebMediaBrands announced that Internet.com would be sold to QuinStreet Inc. for $18 million in cash. I bet Meckler was wishing that it was 1998 all over again, but still, $18 million isn’t bad coin.

The main property Internet.com provides content aimed at five channels – general Internet news, general technology, personal technology, small business, and the developer community. In addition, WebMediaBrands, operates the Graphics.com network, which provides creative professionals with news on related technologies, forums, and tutorials, JustTechJobs, an online job site for tech professionals, and Medabistro.com, a site dedicated to the content industry (including us journalists).

Apparently, Meckler will still hold onto the MediaBistro property as well as the graphics and job board sites. That prompted Mediabistro Chief Executive Laurel Touby to quip in a Twitter broadcast, “Since our parent co. just sold off everything but @mediabistro, I guess that makes mb a public company. I’m buying stock!!”

Given Meckler’s penchant for market timing, I’m wondering more about what this says about the fortunes of Internet media properties. Is he thinking the time is right to bail out, or is he looking to raise some cash to invest in a new growth opportunity? This was the only clue he provided.

“We believe that this transaction will be beneficial to WebMediaBrands and its stockholders as it will significantly improve our balance sheet and at the same time allow us to focus on growing BtoB communities in the non-tech space,” Meckler said in a statement announcing the sale.
 

Comments (3)

	1. 08-10-2009 19:59
	Hard to say exactly what this move indicates but if I had to bet I'd say it was to raise cash while maintaining the more niche-oriented sites that likely had a more straightforward revenue model than hyping sponsored IT whitepapers. The interesting thing though is that internet.com was used to direct traffic to the other sites, so if that relationship is not part of the ongoing deal the other sites may be impacted. MediaBistro was acquired for $23 million just 2 years ago, so it's a sign of the times to see a brand with internet.com's recognition go for less than one of its subsidiary sites. Registered

Fred Kauber

	2. 08-11-2009 09:45
	I think Fred Kauber hit the "nail on the head" with his analysis of where things stand at internet.com. It is a real sign of the times.     Hmmm, "Growing BtoB communities in the nontech space." Maybe Mecklers looking to start some ProSocial Networking sites like this one, only targeted at managers of vertical industries? It takes time to build communities like this Zone. Registered

Ron Kost

	3. 08-13-2009 20:38
	I wouldn't be surprised if more social networking features are added as Ron suggests, which would make them more sticky for sure; right now they are more oriented to a broadcast mode in terms of their information and upsells, and there isn't much of a 'member interaction' feel to them. I don't think they'll be targeted solely at managers, but more like professionals of all levels in that niche as a lot of the upsell training courses offered there want to capitalize on the aspirations of those who want to reach the manager ranks. Registered

Fred Kauber

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