Microsoft acquires aQuantive for $6 bn

Silicon Valley, May 19 (PTI): Software giant Microsoft announced the biggest acquisition in its history by buying digital marketing firm aQuantive for $6 billion in an all-cash deal.

"The advertising industry is evolving and growing at an incredible pace, moving increasingly toward online and IP-served platforms, which dramatically increases the importance of software for this industry," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement.

The acquisition, the largest deal in the advertising industry, continues the frenzy of interest in online advertising as companies try to corner a bigger piece of this lucrative market that is expected to continue to grow, said CNET News.