Deals of the Hour

Trying to find out what's the deal with the world, tracking what's on sale and who's talking about it on Twitter. Update hourly.

Deals of the Hour / August 15, 2010, 6:39 am

With $480m deal for Unica, Big Blue continues its big push in Bay State

IBM Corp. is building its portfolio of marketing software by purchasing Unica Corp. of Waltham for $480 million. The giant computer hardware, software, and services firm has been in a buying mood for years ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-08-15T07:32:22Z)

IBM buys friendly software maker

NEW YORK, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- IBM is buying a Massachusetts software company for about $480 million, a report says. The purchase of Waltham-based Unica will help IBM offer its customers tools to develop better ... (Source: United Press International 2010-08-14T12:34:12Z)

Mistakes costly for Rangers in 3-1 loss to Red Sox

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Colby Lewis was asked again Saturday night to match one of the top pitchers in the American League, and again Lewis pitched well enough to give the Texas Rangers a chance to win. But not ... (Source: Sacramento Bee 2010-08-15T08:01:00Z)

Money manager may not have funds to pay restitution

NOBLESVILLE – A court-appointed receiver says a former Indiana money manager may not have enough money to pay restitution required as part of a plea deal on securities fraud charges. Sales of Marcus Schrenker's ... (Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette 2010-08-15T07:53:51Z)

Blackstone to take Dynergy private in three-way deal

NEW YORK - Asset manager Blackstone Group said Friday it is paying $542.7 million to take Dynegy Inc. private in a three-way deal that will see Dynegy also sell four power plants to NRG Energy Inc. New York ... (Source: Tulsa World 2010-08-15T03:36:09Z)

Attorneys argue over sale of Fisk University art collection

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – An attorney for Fisk University accused Tennessee's attorney general of wanting to close the school during the first day of a trial to determine whether it can sell a share in its famous ... (Source: LIVE AUCTIONEERS 2010-08-13T16:17:18Z)

'FarmVille' maker Zynga hires ex-MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta as business operations ...

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Zynga, the maker of popular social networking game "FarmVille," has hired former MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta as its executive vice president of business operations. Van Natta, also a former ... (Source: Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel 2010-08-14T00:16:54Z)

CalPERS defrauded in $922 million LandSource deal, lawsuit says

It stands as a poster child for the housing crash – a $922 million loss and one of the single worst investments in the history of the California Public Employees' Retirement System. Now a lawsuit says the ... (Source: Sacramento Bee 2010-08-03T22:27:04Z)

Several Giants will miss exhibition opener

Associated Press, ALBANY, N.Y. — Pro Bowlers Chris Snee and Steve Smith and at least five other players will miss the New York Giants' preseason opener against the New York Jets on Monday. Giants Coach Tom ... (Source: New Haven Register 2010-08-15T06:27:57Z)

Texas Rangers sale wake-up call for executives

FORT WORTH, Texas -- The Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball and fans are thrilled now that Nolan Ryan's group owns the team. The contentious bankruptcy case is over, the nail-biter of an auction just another ... (Source: The Sun News 2010-08-15T04:04:47Z)

NKY Man Finds Bike Worth Thousands In Yard Sale

WLWT.com Greg Estes isn't an avid cyclist or even a professional yard-sale hunter. He just saw a good deal and an opportunity to make a little bit of money. Little did Estes know that the shiny, aluminum mountain bike he ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-14T23:39:55Z)

Jets-Giants engaged in preseason trash talk, Coughlin no fan

ALBANY — The recent back-and-forth trash talking between the Jets and Giants over Monday night's preseason opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium has caught the attention of media outlets centering both New ... (Source: Saratogian 2010-08-15T07:03:44Z)

Blackstone to Pay $4.7 Billion for Dynegy

The deal represents a reprieve for stockholders of Dynegy, whose shares have been sliding for several years as the company has struggled with sluggish demand. The shares, which had fallen 74 percent in the ... (Source: New York Times 2010-08-14T00:02:35Z)

IBM to acquire Unica for $480M

Less than a month after its most recent purchase of a Massachusetts company, IBM Corp. has come back to what seems to be its favorite fishing hole, this time hooking up Unica Corp. of Waltham in a cash deal worth ... (Source: Boston Business Journal 2010-08-13T13:25:30Z)

Policy shift helped lobbyist crack CalPERS

Report: CA fund knew of city's high pay years ago Officials at California's state pension fund found out about the high salaries paid to officials with the city of Bell but did nothing to stop them four years ... (Source: Fresno Bee 2010-08-15T06:56:35Z)

Texas Rangers sale a wake-up call to leagues

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball and fans are thrilled now that Nolan Ryan's group owns the team. The contentious bankruptcy case is over, the nail-biter of an auction just another victory ... (Source: Daily Times 2010-08-15T07:03:44Z)

Five games vs. Yankees and Red Sox offer glimpse of postseason for Rangers

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Imagine the AL playoffs. It's easy if you try. They could look an awfully lot like the last week's worth of baseball in Arlington. Should the Rangers close out the AL West - and given that ... (Source: News-Democrat 2010-08-15T08:01:00Z)

Schrenker may not have money to pay restitution

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A court-appointed receiver says a former Indiana money manager may not have enough money to pay restitution required as part of a plea deal on securities fraud charges. Sales of Marcus ... (Source: Star-Press 2010-08-14T20:12:20Z)

'FarmVille' maker hires ex-MySpace CEO Van Natta

LOS ANGELES — Zynga, the maker of popular social networking game "FarmVille," has hired former MySpace CEO Owen Van Natta as its executive vice president of business operations. Van Natta, also a former ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-14T00:09:44Z)

Dynegy shares soar 60 percent on deal to be taken private by Blackstone for $542.7 ...

New York-based Blackstone is taking on more than $4 billion in Dynegy debt as well, bringing the deal's total value to $4.7 billion. Dynegy said its shareholders will receive $4.50 per share in cash for its nearly 120.6 ... (Source: Allentown Morning Call 2010-08-14T09:42:24Z)

State argues Fisk sale could chill future donors

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An attorney for the state of Tennessee argued in court Friday that allowing Fisk University to sell a donated art collection could deter people from giving gifts in the Volunteer State ... (Source: Arkansas Online 2010-08-14T22:49:49Z)

Sox hold on to top Texas

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Jon Lester pitched eight scoreless innings and the Boston Red Sox stopped the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 3-1 on a steamy Saturday night. Lester (13-7) was sharp, scattering five ... (Source: Lowell Sun 2010-08-15T10:38:29Z)

Man gets Floyd Landis bike for $5 at Owenton yard sale

LEXINGTON - The bicycle had two flat tires, but Greg Estes figured the $5 asking price still made it a bargain. Little did he know just how much. Estes checked on the bike's origin after buying it at a yard ... (Source: Cincinnati.com 2010-08-13T22:36:41Z)

NFL Notebook: Rams say deal for Westbrook not close

The St. Louis Rams' chief contract negotiator says a deal is not imminent with free-agent running back Brian Westbrook. Kevin Demoff, vice president of football operations, said before Saturday night's ... (Source: Tulsa World 2010-08-15T11:35:45Z)

Texas Rangers sale a clear wake-up call to other U.S. leagues

FORT WORTH, Texas — The Texas Rangers, Major League Baseball and fans are thrilled now that Nolan Ryan's group owns the team. The contentious bankruptcy case is over, the nail-biter of an auction just another victory ... (Source: Times-Argus 2010-08-15T09:12:35Z)

BP brushes off investor revolts on tar sands, pay

LONDON (Reuters) - Oil major BP Plc on Thursday easily beat off challenges to a Canadian oil sands project and to its executive pay policy. Europe's largest oil company by market value said 94 percent of ... (Source: Reuters 2010-08-15T11:35:45Z)

Attorneys argue over sale of Fisk art collection

An attorney for Fisk University accused Tennessee's attorney general of wanting to close the school during the first day of a trial to determine whether it can sell a share in its famous Stieglitz art collection. At ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-08-12T12:29:25Z)

Former MySpace Chief Van Natta Joins Zynga

Former Facebook and MySpace executive Owen Van Natta has joined online gaming giant Zynga, which produces FarmVille and Mafia Wars. Van Natta will serve as executive vice president of business operations, reporting to ... (Source: PC Magazine 2010-08-13T22:51:00Z)

Receiver: Schrenker can't pay restitution

A former money manager who tried to fake his death in a plane crash may not have enough money to pay restitution required as part of a plea deal on securities fraud charges, a court-appointed receiver said. Marcus ... (Source: Ibj.com 2010-08-15T12:25:51Z)

Bike bought for $5 at yard sale belonged to Floyd Landis

The bicycle at a Kentucky yard sale had two flat tires, broken pedals and carried a $5 price tag. That didn't stop Greg Estes from buying the bike in hopes of flipping it for a small profit. He should get his wish, to ... (Source: YAHOO! 2010-08-13T00:46:43Z)

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