AOL Buying Bebo?

There's a rumor circulating that AOL has bought Bebo... and it's backed by some pretty compelling evidence.

I really like the move on AOL's part. Instead of overpaying for a social network at the absolute peak of their hype, they're buying an up and comer, and have the potential to bring it to the masses.

Why do I think this works? Simple.

Nick O'Neill wrote a great piece on how e-mail was going to end up being the social network of choice. It's well worth the read if you have a few minutes. But, with so many people on so many different e-mail platforms... it's written from a very long tail perspective. On the other hand... if AOL can somehow integrate their new network into AIM, which apparently has 50% of the IM market, it's a complete homerun.

Should be an exciting task for Platform A's new CEO.