Google Plans to Buy Frommer's Travel Guides - NYTimes.com

Brand grab

"Google will pay about $23 million for the brand, according to a person close to the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly about the terms. The companies declined to comment on the purchase price. It is a small acquisition for Google, but important for several of Google’s up-and-coming businesses.
The deal shows how crucial a business local search and reviews are for Google. It is also the latest evidence that Google is trying to transform itself into a media company — making its mission not just to show the most relevant links from around the Web, but to produce that information as well."

Google Plans to Buy Frommer's Travel Guides - NYTimes.com