Google Buys REA – Yes an April Fools Joke!

by Peter Ricci, on 1st April, 2007 • 28 Comments

Earlier today I posted that News Ltd had sold its stake in Google. Well I spoke to some people at REA and they knew nothing about it. So it is an April Fools joke. This was cleverly done by Nick who enjoys posting here and it seems enjoys making me look like an idiot! Even better hey!

Enjoy! And no the original article did not have Author as Avina Larf, so I am stupid but not that stupid!

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28 Responses to “Google Buys REA – Yes an April Fools Joke!”

Peter says:
1st April 2007

What a waste of time the article I wrote yesterday is. I will write a new one tonight on my thoughts…This purchase has the most implications of any purchase in Real Estate History in Australia
Tom S says:
1st April 2007

Peter,

Keep in mind that it’s April fools day today!
Nick Buick says:
1st April 2007

The remaining 2 major portals will almost certainly need to partner with multinational’s also in order to maintain their market share.

Google’s model would be pretty different to that of REA’s though – its going to mean some pretty huge changes in the landscape – interesting indeed.

This is massive.
Peter says:
1st April 2007

Oh I am aware of that, and tried to look up both names quoted and they were not there. However I am sure Simon Baker would be hauled before the Stock Exchange and Regulators in a minute if it was a prank as this has massive share price implications.
Nick Buick says:
1st April 2007

ah ya spoil sport – I spent hours writing that ;)
Peter says:
1st April 2007

Also no new press releases on Google’s site
Peter says:
1st April 2007

Found Con Stavros RMIT …
Dave Platter says:
1st April 2007

(I work at realestate.com.au/the REA Group.)

I haven’t heard about Google buying REA. What I heard (rumors only, don’t quote me on this) is that REA is buying Google. I think that makes a lot more sense as a transaction.

dave
Nick Buick says:
1st April 2007

Newslimited had nothing to do with it, neither did anyone at REA.

Ok… confession time.

I wrote the article as a joke – it was online for all of 4 hours and your site was the only place I posted it coz I knew it would get a good stir. The market isn’t even trading today – no one is getting rich on this one unfortunatly.

I was just kidding around Peter. If it makes you feel better, I once read an April Fools newspaper article about a time traveler getting arrested for insider trading. Bought it hook-line-and-sinker – forwarded it to all my collegues – was the lauging stock of my office.

Come on… admit it – you’re just sad that the gossip of the century wasn’t true. April Phooly? I can’t believe you bought that ;).
Robert Simeon says:
1st April 2007

I am sure that we will hear much much more about this prank.
Nick Buick says:
1st April 2007

Hey its April 1 – every man for himself guys. ;)

C`mon Simon Baker posted the Ballrat ad in his own Blog – from the internviews I’ve seen he seems to have a pretty good sense of humour I’m sure he’s got bigger things to worry about.
Peter says:
1st April 2007

Ok, now I read the weblink and it is not News, so there you go!
Peter says:
1st April 2007

Well done Nick! Did not think to look at the URL link :)
Paul D says:
1st April 2007

So Google bought a STEAK in REA ???? I wonder was it rump or T-bone ???
Glenn says:
1st April 2007

Peter,

I logged on to see what joke you had played on unsuspecting readers and found that someone had played one on you… !!!!

I cant believe that you missed all the clues he inserted…. It was a job well done by Nick.

Now the real joke would be a real announcement to the market on Monday or Tuesday of the same thing… That would see a few uncomfortable questions asked by the authorities of how you had inside information… hehehe…

Maybe we should have April Fools week … Peter could have phoned Nick pretending to be an ASX investigator looking at insider trading rumours, or as a Google representative from Wunkle and Funkle Solicitors phoning to ask how he knew of the impending offer to REA shareholders.

Oh the fun that could have been had.
Simon Baker says:
1st April 2007

Peter

I have only just heard about this joke article and i can confirm that it had nothing to do with us.

Simon Baker
MD REA Group
Robert Simeon says:
1st April 2007

It just gets funnier – Simon says “i can confirm it had nothing to do with us.” When it was all about REA and Google so how can it then have nothing to do with them ?

Or, maybe Simon was trying to say that it did not come from REA – as it had everything to do about them.

Although it would come as a surprise that someone from REA did not have their fingerprints somewhere on a keyboard. Or should we then look for a relative of Avina Larf of Prof April Pholey ?
Simon Baker says:
1st April 2007

Robert

You really should have been a lawyer.

So just for you – i can confirm that we did not write, place, or participate in the creation or formation in any which way, shape or form of the article.

I just love your conspiracy theories … perhaps Harold Holt is still alive somewhere or there was a second shooter on the grassy knoll!

Simon Baker
MD REA Group
Elizabeth says:
1st April 2007

Robert – is this another example of you misunderstanding what people are saying? or are you just being an old stick in the mud?

Is this an example of practical jokes going too far?

E
Robert Simeon says:
1st April 2007

E,

Certainly not a misunderstanding – I was seeking a correction which was received.

Now the search continues for Avina Larf I understand he/she is not on the REA share registry.
Tom S says:
1st April 2007

This was a terrific April fools joke Nick. When I 1st (quickly) read it, there was a certain degree of plausibility. Initially, I’d didn’t twig on the ‘Avina Larf’ and ‘April Pholey’ names. Funny.

But after a double take I was not convinced by the ineptitude of a New Corp journo not being able to spell – ‘steak’, ‘substancial’ and ‘annoucment’.

Also, the comment about ‘shares climbed 20% on the back of the announcement’ on the weekend!?!?
One thing that you’ll have to be careful of is that Newscorp may not appreciate you passing of their site as the source of an article that could have a material effect of the value of a listed company. Anticipate a call from their legal team.

By the way Simon B, Harold is living safely with me, although his memory isn’t as great as it use to be. But he did mention to me that when he sold his house at Cheviot Beach, he listed exclusively on realestate.com.au, and did not waste his money on print advertising or any of the 2nd tier portals.
Anthony says:
2nd April 2007

Damn was this a joke – and i forwarded all the information to the ASX and ASICS.
Anthony says:
2nd April 2007

Nick – loved it – well done – but the price was too low – Market Cap at present is about 660 Million – so it would appear like a steal – unless you were factoring in future share price :)
Nick Buick says:
2nd April 2007

No I accounted for that – they only purchased a 60% ’steak’ don’t forget ;)
Dave Platter says:
2nd April 2007

I work at realestate.com.au/the REA Group.)

Nick, congrats on the joke. I have to admit that Peter wasn’t the only one wondering if this could possibly be true right around 11:30 AM yesterday. Tell me, how did you get us to bite? Did you email the link to Robert or post it in a comment?

dave
Nick Buick says:
2nd April 2007

Thanks Dave,

I just posted a one liner in the Rant Room on here which Peter saw moments later.