About 2 weeks ago, ePals announced it was buying Cricket Magazine (not the sporting one, alas) and a series of associated publishing companies.

It is still early, so I'm not sure what all this means. On the surface we have a 21st century type social network company buying some very 20th century imprints. While there has been some movement by Carus to bring their content forward with some web and mobile stuff, they have hardly been moving rapidly forward. 

Perhaps this is a "if you can't beat them, join them" strategy for Carus??

On the other hand, does ePals really need this content or do they just need good content?

Will this end up beyond a great blend of companies that have excellent attributes from the 20th and 21th centuries? Will this end up being another AOL/TIMEWARNER debacle? 

Of course, we will have to wait for these answers. 

In the mean time, keep an eye on this one while you keep the other eye on what might be the next one.