DoubleClick Turned Down Microsoft's Higher Bid

The irony of Microsoft crying antitrust in the Google/DoubleClick buy is starting to make more sense: it may be sour grapes, and a regulatory approach may free up DoubleClick for themselves, or at least stop Google from cornering the market.

DoubleClick Turned Down Microsoft's Higher Bid That's a somewhat cynical sum-up, certainly oversimplified, and maybe even a little unfair (there, I've said it so you don't have to) – sometimes it's just business. But the whole thing becomes really interesting when you learn Microsoft offered more for DoubleClick than Google did, and still got turned down.

DoubleClick put its eggs in Google's basket, instead of Microsoft's, for less money – as if business relationships have evolved into star-crossed, money-can't-buy-love affairs. But we all know that's bull, right?

Don Dodge, Director of Business Development for Microsoft's Emerging Business Team, blogged rather convincingly about billion-dollar gambles, and devalued the DoubleClick to about $600 million – a fifth of the final price.

And then, two weeks later, we learn Microsoft offered more than Google, and lost? Something happened. Microsoft had a change of heart or executives were blowing smoke during negotiations to keep the price down. Or maybe Google was a dark horse competitor, swooping in to take the maiden. And now Microsoft's double-pissed off.

Last week, David Utter noted the

Suggest a Correction

Found an error or have a suggestion? Let us know and we'll review it.

Your Name *

Your Email *

Correction Details *

Submit Correction