Microsoft Buys Ad Firm for $6 Billion

bain writes "The BBC is reporting that Microsoft has agreed to buy the digital marketing firm Aquantive, in what will be its biggest ever acquisition. The software giant spent almost $6 billion acquiring the agency, in its first bid to tackle the online advertising market. 'The deal is expected to be completed in the first half of 2008, subject to regulation. Microsoft said the expensive price tag was worth it to access the complementary technology of Aquantive. The firm will continue to operate from Seattle as part of Microsoft's online operations, and will help the software giant broaden the scope of services its MSN consumer internet unit can offer. Microsoft is the latest technology firm to pounce on the shrinking independent online advertising sector.'"

Comments

Microsofts newest aquisition

[Recovering Hater]

Will have its addresses as the newest addition to my hosts file.

crazy

[grub]

$1/per pair of eyeballs on the planet.

a bid to unseat flash?

[pohl]

This strikes me as an expensive (but possibly effective) way to ensure that silverlight-based adverts get shoved in our faces.