Worried about Amazon, companies run into Google’s arms

(FILES) This file photo taken on June 16, 2017 shows a visitor checking in at the Amazon corporate headquarters in Seattle, Washington. Amazon said January 18, 2018 it had narrowed to 20 its options for a second headquarters for the sprawling technology and lifestyle company headed by Jeff Bezos, the world's richest individual. After 238 cities from North America submitted bids, Amazon announced its short list included three in the vicinity of the US capital Washington, and the Canadian city of Toronto. / AFP PHOTO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / David Ryder

The fierce cable television pioneer John Malone recently compared Amazon.com Inc to the Death Star. Companies whose share prices have been crushed by whispers of Amazon's interest in their industry surely agree with Malone's assessment. 

Executives hunting for allies to protect them from Amazon's Empire have landed on Google and Microsoft Corp. Apparently the best way for a company to shield itself from Supreme Commander Jeff Bezos is to find a big brute who is slightly less of an immediate threat.