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Marissa Mayer hinted at what she'll do at Yahoo -- in 2010

When she was still a Google executive, Marissa Mayer was asked by TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington what she would do if she were running Yahoo.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
2 min read
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.
Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. James Martin/CNET

Yahoo's new CEO Marissa Mayer might have tipped her hand back in 2010 on what she has planned for her new employer.

At that time, Mayer, then a Google executive, sat down for an interview with TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington. During that interview, Arrington asked her what she would do if she were running Yahoo. Her first response? It would be a "difficult job."

From there, Mayer dug into Yahoo's decisions at the time, saying that then-CEO Carol Bartz's idea to ink a search deal with Microsoft "was smart in many ways," though Mayer had wished the agreement could have been made with Google. Beyond that, Mayer said that it might have been a good idea for Yahoo to start buying up key online properties.

"I also think that looking at other really interesting brands that are getting a lot of traction on the internet -- those are smart acquisitions for them to make to really help broaden out their base, broaden out their platform and ultimately stay relevant," Mayer told Arrington at the time.

Mayer was hired as Yahoo CEO earlier this week. So far, she hasn't said what her plans are for the company and Yahoo has stayed mum on the topic. Still, that hasn't stopped speculation from running rampant about what her moves might be.

Earlier this week, CNET's Rafe Needleman offered up his own opinions on what Mayer might do at Yahoo. He said that Mayer will likely bring the "engineering culture" she helped develop at Google to Yahoo. He also expects her to kill underperforming products.

Judging by her comments back in 2010, it's possible she might also try to find some acquisition targets.

Watch this: Can Marissa Mayer save Yahoo?