You probably heard about the mega deal, Microsoft buying Skype for $8.5 billion. Besides not being able to fathom that amount of money, I had the same feeling when reading the news as I did the day I read about the proposed take over of T-mobile by AT&T. My initial reponse to both stories was wondeirng how that news would affect me, and hopefully not be a pain for their brand champions.
Often when organizations the size of these brands do business, it does not feel like there is a whole lot of regard for the external brand champions, us consumers. Even when I read about the deals like the one with Microsoft and Skype I seldom feel adequately informed. If I feel that way, I wonder how the employees, the internal brand champions are being informed and considered.
I am a champion of both the Microsoft and Skype brands. I use Microsoft products every day. I use Skype when the need arises for a video call. How will the marriage of these two technology brands come together? Will the collaboration end in divoce? How will this connection affect other brands like Google and Apple?




