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<p><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/11be3c0e-641f-11de-a818-00144feabdc0.html">According to</a> the Financial Times, the next step in the evolution of Microsoft's advertising business is the divesture of digital agency Avenue A/Razorfish, now called Razorfish. FT.com reports that Microsoft has retained investment bank Morgan Stanley to shop Razorfish to interested parties.</p>
<p>Publicis Groupe is said to be one of the likely potential buyers. Publicis' CEO, Maurice Lévy, has stated that his company may be in a buying mood after a refinancing this month and he stated "<em>Obviously if we can take advantage of the current situation to be ready to take
these things</em>", referring to the global economic downturn that has roiled the ad market.</p>
<p>One analyst the Financial Times spoke with pegged Razorfish's valuation at $600-$700m, down from the $800m valuation AdAge gave to Razorfish last year.</p>
<p>This isn't the first time Microsoft has reportedly looked to rid itself of Razorfish. Others have noted that owning a digital agency like Razorfish presents some problems for Microsoft and last year <a href="http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2008/08/microsoft-looki/">rumors circulated</a> that the Redmond giant was shopping the company.</p>
<p>We'll see if in 2009 it finally pulls the trigger.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scobleizer/">Robert Scoble</a> via Flickr.</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/11be3c0e-641f-11de-a818-00144feabdc0.html">According to</a> the Financial Times, the next step in the evolution of Microsoft's advertising business is the divesture of digital agency Avenue A/Razorfish, now called Razorfish. FT.com reports that Microsoft has retained investment bank Morgan Stanley to shop Razorfish to interested parties.</p>
<p>Publicis Groupe is said to be one of the likely potential buyers. Publicis' CEO, Maurice Lévy, has stated that his company may be in a buying mood after a refinancing this month and he stated "<em>Obviously if we can take advantage of the current situation to be ready to take
these things</em>", referring to the global economic downturn that has roiled the ad market.</p>
<p>One analyst the Financial Times spoke with pegged Razorfish's valuation at $600-$700m, down from the $800m valuation AdAge gave to Razorfish last year.</p>
<p>This isn't the first time Microsoft has reportedly looked to rid itself of Razorfish. Others have noted that owning a digital agency like Razorfish presents some problems for Microsoft and last year <a href="http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2008/08/microsoft-looki/">rumors circulated</a> that the Redmond giant was shopping the company.</p>
<p>We'll see if in 2009 it finally pulls the trigger.</p>
<p><em>Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scobleizer/">Robert Scoble</a> via Flickr.</em></p>
2009-06-29T03:43:32+01:00
0
1
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<p><strong><img alt="" height="119" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2264763977_fbeb2e34ba_m.jpg" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" width="178" />When Microsoft acquired advertising services holding company aQuantive for $6bn in 2007, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hailed the acquisition as "<em>the next step in the evolution of our ad network</em>".</strong></p>
<p>The deal gave Microsoft aQuantive's three holdings: Avenue A/Razorfish, Atlas Solutions, and DRIVE Performance Solutions.</p>
<p><strong><img style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; float: right;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2264763977_fbeb2e34ba_m.jpg" alt="" width="178" height="119" />When Microsoft acquired advertising services holding company aQuantive for $6bn in 2007, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer hailed the acquisition as "<em>the next step in the evolution of our ad network</em>".</strong></p>
<p>The deal gave Microsoft aQuantive's three holdings: Avenue A/Razorfish, Atlas Solutions, and DRIVE Performance Solutions.</p>
false
4110
<p>Econsultancy has published an <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/online-advertising-networks-buyers-guide">Online Advertising Networks Buyer's Guide</a></strong> which contains an examination of this marketplace and profiles of 23 leading networks. We have also produced an <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/online-advertising-survey">Online Advertising Survey</a></strong>, based on a survey of advertisers and agencies. For more stats and charts, see also our <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/internet-advertising-statistics">Online Advertising Statistics compendium</a></strong>.</p>
<p>Econsultancy has published an <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/online-advertising-networks-buyers-guide">Online Advertising Networks Buyer's Guide</a></strong> which contains an examination of this marketplace and profiles of 23 leading networks. We have also produced an <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/online-advertising-survey">Online Advertising Survey</a></strong>, based on a survey of advertisers and agencies. For more stats and charts, see also our <strong><a href="http://econsultancy.com/reports/internet-advertising-statistics">Online Advertising Statistics compendium</a></strong>.</p>
Microsoft looks to sell Razorfish
false
2009-06-29T09:34:58+01:00
microsoft-looks-to-sell-razorfish
2009-10-13T10:21:47+01:00
1777