Internet Advertising Firm Sold to Microsoft for $6 Billion

Following Google's recent purchase of online advertising giant DoubleClick, Inc., Microsoft made a clear statement today that it seeks to stay in the hunt for a share of the Internet advertising market. The software company laid out $6 billion dollars cash to purchase DoubleClick rival aQuantive, Inc.

While many businesses still don't even consider advertising online, Internet advertising now rivals some traditional advertising channels in size. Online advertising is now a $25 billion-a-year industry growing at an estimated 17% a year.

This year, in fact, online advertising will eclipse all radio advertising with 7.2% of the market. And online advertising growth is out-pacing nearly every form of advertising—including TV advertising—at a rate of 3 to 1.

Read more at Wired.