Facebook Eyes Microsoft Atlas to Compete Against Google Ads

Rumors are rumors, but when they make sense, once cannot help but wonder: is there true substance behind them? The Business Insider, quoting unnamed sources outside Microsoft and Facebook, reported that the two companies are in discussions about a possible ad deal, in which Facebook would acquire Atlas Solutions, a Microsoft asset since 2007, when the multinational corporation purchased aQuantive for a mere $6.3 billion in cash and stock.

Despite the fact that neither Facebook, nor Microsoft confirmed the deal, the possibility that Facebook may want to grab Atlas makes a lot of sense. With Microsoft, Atlas cannot go too far. This year, in July, Microsoft announced that it would take a $6.2 billion writedown, which had a lot to do with the 2007 acquisition of aQuantive. Now the company is looking to get rid of some assets from that deal, and Atlas seems to be one of them. Earlier in October, there were rumors that Microsoft was in talks with AppNexus for the same deal. But those rumors were never confirmed.

Today, the buzz makes a bit more sense. With Facebook, Atlas could make a strong competitor against Google’s own ad-serving product, DoubleClick, acquired by Google in 2007, for over $3 billion in cash.

Atlas already has partnerships with leading vendors across rich media, dynamic creative optimization (DCO), search engine management (SEM), demand side platforms (DSP), and mobile. And Facebook has access to a vast number of email addresses, phone numbers, and personal data across its network. Facebook could use Atlas to strengthen its position against Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) in the online ad market. The social network is already serving ads within its closed network, but Atlas could help Facebook extend rich all over the Internet, way beyond partner sites.

Ronn Torossian on Brand Angelina Jolie

With Angelina Jolie being lauded as a hero worldwide for her valiant effort to have a preventative double mastectomy, there’s also the BRAND and PR story of Angelina Jolie. Even previous to this, Jolie’s brand has shined – Best-selling PR Book “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations” by CEO of 5WPR Ronn Torossian had a section on Jolie.

Small Company Perspective on the FleishmanHillard / Edelman Debate and the Future Direction of Public Relations

Marketing, editors and public relations professionals all have the same goal, but how they develop the messaging is completely different.

Our World in Pictures This Week: May 12, 2013

From Hot Rod icon Dean Jeffries’ passing, to UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s visit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, this week had its share of ups and downs. In keeping with our weekly series of photo reviews, here’s the week of May 12th in review.

Dean Jeffries - Courtesy George Barris and Kustomrama

People Switch to Traditional Gifts for Mother’s Day, Moms Prefer Daily Help

As Mother’s Day is getting closer, the rush to purchase a gift already started. But many find that they already bought their moms a smartphone, a tablet and other fancy gadgets their mothers may or may not really find useful. So what’s next?

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Russia the Ally, All Old Soldiers Salute You Today

Today is just another day for most people in the world. But 68 years ago events spiraled ever chaotically and frenzied, into a future our forefather’s could not imagine. As an American, and as a citizen of the world, Russia’s celebration of victory in World War Two today should, I am sure, be all of ours – the people of the world. The so-called Great Patriotic War the Soviet Union and Russia won, was a victory for all of us.