How WhatsApp handled its $19 billion news
As commentators argued about whether Facebook’s decision to shell out $42 per user was a good idea or not, the company itself assured those users nothing would be changing.
Depending on whose analysis you read Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, Facebook’s decision to acquire the messaging service WhatsApp for $19 billion was either a terrible idea that tanked its stock, a bold act of possible genius, or perhaps a way to get one over on Google.
WhatsApp itself discussed the deal—$4 billion in cash, $12 billion in stock, and another $3 billion in restricted stock that will vest over the next four years—in terms of what it will mean for its 450 million users.
Here’s what co-founder Jan Koum wrote on the company’s blog:
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