Meet Internet mogul Barry Diller of Match.com
June 12, 2007 – 4:25 pm
For those who missed it in “The Sopranos” frenzy (and stop arguing now–it was a good ending), CBS’s “60 Minutes” did a pretty warm and fuzzy profile of media and Internet mogul Barry Diller on Sunday.
He comes off charming and smooth, expertly batting away all suggestions by interviewer Lesley Stahl that he is tough to work for, or too imperious, or paid too much, or that his various Internet companies under the InterActiveCorp banner are too disparate.
“Have you ever heard your meetings described as making people crawl over barbed wire?” Stahl asks in the CBS report.
“Oh, please. For some people I think it is that, but look, it is absolutely process,” Diller parries, using “oh, please” as the best verbal cudgel ever.
I watched the entire video, and it’s extremely interesting. Barry seems like he is very charming, but behind that charm is a set of serious fangs. It’s pretty interesting that he seems to be the most found of Match.com when mentioning companies in his arsenal. Match.com is the current powerhouse, and the front runner for paid online dating (I am not speaking numbers, but over quality). The integration of Ask into the mix is an idea who’s time has more them come. The problem with companies like IAC however, is that it’s all about the bottom line and not a love for the company or ideal. Match.com has no heart! Companies like Collaboradate.com and Plenty Of Fish do. People who are more hungry, and have a true love for what they are doing, will win in the end.
I found the last few minutes of the video the most intriguing. When Berry was asked if the 400+ million paycheck he received was too much (highest paid CEO of any company) , and if he was embarrassed. If you look closely he starts to tear up. Though he claims he’s not, I think that gives all of us the real answer. Even after all is said and done, I would still love to share a beer or a cup of coffee with the guy… he must have done something right.
You can watch the video here and read the article here. A must see!
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