Microsoft sells off advertising firm
18 August 09

Microsoft is offloading interactive advertising agency, Razorfish, in a move that could pave the way for the software giant to dispense with other units.

The company announced that it was selling its 14-year-old agency to the French advertising conglomerate Publicis Groupe, in a cash-and-shares deal worth $530m.

The news came just months after the two companies agreed to co-operate to create new hi-tech TV advertising systems. Publicis, which owns agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi and Leo Burnett, will add the company to its roster and inherit a list of high-profile clients, including Ford and McDonald's.