Microsoft/aQuantive: Still Searching

After several hopeful trips to the altar, Microsoft has finally tied the knot with a $6bn bid for aQuantive. Sadly, all the relatives in the aisles are whispering that the match looks desperate. They have a point. Microsoft is paying 85% more than the internet ad firm was worth on Thursday - and 133% more than it was worth a month ago. In Microsoft’s defence, the ongoing land grab for internet ad firms left it little strategic choice. Google, Yahoo and ad agency WPP each snapped up competing in...