ARN

Microsoft-Yahoo deal gets support from ad association

The association urges the Department of Justice to quickly review and approve the deal

Microsoft and Yahoo are touting a brief letter that an advertising association sent to the U.S. Department of Justice supporting the search deal proposed by the companies.

"We believe that Yahoo and Microsoft's proposal to combine their technologies and search platforms is good for advertisers, marketing services agencies, Website publishers and consumers," according to the letter, which was signed by four ad executives as well as Nancy Hill, president and CEO of the American Association of Advertising Agencies.

It says that a healthy, competitive market for search and search advertising is crucial to the Internet's future, since most Web sites depend on online advertising.

"As leading members of the advertising and marketing services industry, we urge the Department of Justice to bring its antitrust review to a speedy conclusion. This proposal enhances competition, and should be allowed to take effect as soon as possible," the letter reads.

In addition to Hill, Maurice Levy, chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe; Martin Sorrell, CEO of WPP; Michael I. Roth, chairman and CEO of Interpublic Group of Companies; and John Wren, president and CEO of Omnicom Group also signed the letter.

In September, Microsoft first revealed that the U.S. Department of Justice had begun seeking information for an antitrust review of the search deal with Yahoo. Under the agreement, announced in July, Bing would power Yahoo search and Yahoo would sell premium search advertising services for both companies.

The deal was nearly a year and a half in the making, during which time Yahoo rebuffed outright acquisition offers from Microsoft. There has not been much strong opposition to the final agreement.

In a statement, Yahoo said it welcomed the broad support of the deal and is hopeful it will close in early 2010.

The stated goal of the deal is to offer stronger search competition to Google, the market leader with around 70 percent market share. Combined, Microsoft and Yahoo would have around 30 percent market share.

Come socialise with us! Facebook | LinkedIn

More about: Department of Justice, Google, Interpublic Group, Microsoft, Omnicom Group, Roth, Yahoo

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Coverage
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
Tags: Microsoft, yahoo ms deal
ARN Directory | Distributors relevant to this article
Aquion , ASI Solutions , Avnet Technology Solutions , Bluechip Infotech , Compucon Computers , Dicker Data , Express Data , Express Online , ICT Distribution , Impact Systems Technology , Leader Computers , NewLease , Synnex Australia , Topstar Computer International , XiT Distribution , Xpress I.T.
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/aca-pacific/436_receive-15-off-sap-crystal-server-and-designer
ACA Pacific

Receive 18% off SAP Crystal Server and Designer Licenses. Offer Ends June 28th, 2012.

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.