In case you haven’t heard the news yet, grab a sit. LinkedIn acquired Lynda.com, a leading online learning company, for a whopping 1.5 billion dollars – that’s more money than the sum of all acquisitions made by LinkedIn so far.
Also Read: LinkedIn Acquires Careerify, A Talent Acquisition Software
Is there an explanation for this investment? Sure. With video consumption on the rise, Lynda.com became an appealing acquisition. Offering a wide range of online courses and known for its high-quality material and expertise, LinkedIn saw the potential of expanding the services offered to professionals with new, self-paced courses.
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In addition, Lynda.com is a solid-business, way beyond the start-up point. Founded in 1995, it currently generates over $150m per year and boasts a community of over 500 million professionals and brands. So, not only does LinkedIn acquire a profitable business, but it also has the opportunity to expand its existing social network.
Lynda.com’s close ties with brands and industries will act as a fertile ground for LinkedIn to become an indispensable tool for all the companies. Let’s not forget that just a few weeks ago, LinkedIn acquired Careerify, a Toronto-based startup with an aim to push its referral scheme – aka connections among candidates, influencers and potential jobs.
So what we have here is basically LinkedIn‘s ambition to grow into a fully professional suite – from personal branding, which is the current offering, to fostering connections and network creations and, finally, to personal development and skill acquisition. Tie all these facts with an estimated $20 billion content marketing opportunity and you have a recipe for success.
In the words of Lynda.com’s Founder, Lynda Weinman:
[quote]We have a shared vision of connecting relevant knowledge to those in need of new or stronger skills, and believe that together we can positively impact the global job market and economy.[/quote]
What do you think about this acquisition?
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