Microsoft Beats Google to Facebook

October 26th, 2007

Google beat out its competitors on the DoubleClick acquisition, but Microsoft has an investment of its own to brag about this week: a 1.6 percent equity stake in Facebook valued at $240 million.On Wednesday, the veteran software giant and the Web 2.0 darling expanded their advertising partnership in a deal that marked Facebook’s valuation at $15 billion. Microsoft’s investment makes it Facebook’s exclusive third-party advertising partner . Microsoft will sell advertising for Facebook internationally, as well as in the U.S.

According to Kevin Johnson, president of the Platforms and Services Division at Microsoft, making the Facebook investment and expanding the partnership will position both companies for new advertising opportunities around the world. He called it a “great win” for both companies and their users.

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