aQuantive acquired by Microsoft for $6 billion

In recent months Microsoft has lost out on big deals, such as aQuantive competitor DoubleClick, but reports are circulating that they have struck a deal to buy digital marketing and services company aQuantive Inc. The news comes just days after WPP Group PLC, the world's second-largest advertising and marketing business, said it would acquire online advertising company 24/7 Real Media Inc. for $649 million.

"Today's announcement represents the next step in the evolution of our ad network from our initial investment in MSN, to the broader Microsoft network including Xbox Live, Windows Live and Office Live, and now to the full capacity of the Internet,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.

Microsoft’s acquisition of aQuantive Inc. will go a long way to strengthening relationships with advertisers and agencies by providing a "world class, Internet-wide advertising platform."

The deal is not expected to be completed until sometime in 2008.

Tags: advertising network, aQuantive Inc., Microsoft, online advertising