Microsoft – Facebook Deal on Atlas Now Imminent

Rumors on a potential deal between Microsoft and Facebook on the Atlas ad-serving business have appeared a long time ago, but a new report claims that the deal may be completed next week.

Ad Age writes that Facebook is going to pay less than $100 million (€74.5 million) to Microsoft, as the company is trying to improve its advertising services based on the well-known social network, so Atlas could play a key role in this strategy.

Microsoft officially gained control of Atlas in 2007 when it purchased aQuantive for $6.2 billion (€4.6 billion), but given the fact that the Redmond-based technology giant is focusing on some other technologies, the advertising technology is no longer a priority for the company.

Of course, both Microsoft and Facebook refused to comment on these reports, but more information is expected to be provided next week when the deal is likely to be completed.