Yahoo has [halted](http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003701945) Brand Universe, a project designed to tie the company’s various social media offerings around popular brands. As part of a restructuring effort, CEO Jerry Yang has decided to pull Brand Universe and any other project that does not center on his goal to make Yahoo a “starting point” for consumers. Only a few Brand Universe sites had been developed as part of Yahoo’s once ambitious plans. Similar sites are under development by social media giants Facebook and MySpace.
This news follow [reports](http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ja33t4S3rmzbBWHWGQYfZxBOILCgD8UB7L1G1) from earlier in the week that Yahoo is expected to layoff 700 employees as part of a cost cutting campaign. There is speculation that more cuts could be one the way, both in the form of layoffs and software projects.
