Is Carl Icahn Feeling Better About Motricity? And About His Son?
Nearly two years ago, I conducted an on-stage interview with Carl Icahn at an industry conference. We mostly discussed economic conditions and shareholder activisim, but I also asked about his minority investment in a young mobile content management company called Motricity. The company was an unusual target for Icahn -- privately-held, VC-backed -- and had just recently announced plans to cut up to 350 workers and move its headquarters out of North Carolina. Icahn's explanation, in short, was to blame his son. "My son liked it and talked me into it... I said okay, and I'm not sure it was the right decision." You can watch video of the exchange after the jump. Today, however, Icahn might be giving his son a pat on the back instead of a hard time. Motricity has filed for a $250 million IPO, and reports strong year-over-year revenue growth between 2006 and 2008. It also had an 18.6% revenue increase between the first nine months of 2008 and the first nine months of 2009
