If I was a Private Equity investor, I'd try to buy MapQuest from AOL. When I was at Time Warner (AOL), I was continually frustrated that management their hadn't built on the brand and success of Mapquest. People use mapquest all the time now - anytime they need to get somewhere (OK, they are also now starting to use their nav systems, but one of the first things I'd do is to find a way to integrate or do a deal with the likes of Navteq, etc.).
I also think there is a huge opportunity to do deals with the fast food chains, gas stations, hotel/motel chains, etc., to give them sponsorship along the way.
I think MapQuest is a great brand, and AOL has failed miserably to monetize the hell out of it. They are too bureaucratic and slow to take advantage of it - ripe for a PE firm to buy it and extract value.
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