Microsoft buys digital marketer for 6 bn dlr

NEW YORK: The world's largest software maker Microsoft said on Friday it was taking over aQuantive, a global digital marketing company, for $6 billion.

The software giant said in a statement that it hopes the deal will enable it to expand its presence in the growing world of online advertising from which rivals such as Google already reap rich revenues.

Microsoft said it had agreed to buy Seattle, Washington-based, aQuantive in an all-cash transaction valued at $66.50 per share. The digital marketing firms employs 2,600 workers.