Microsoft Looking to Unload Razorfish

Back in 2007, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) shelled out $6 billion for aQuantive. The primary purpose was to pick up key online advertising assets. But, Microsoft also got something else: Razorfish, which is an interactive agency.

Of course, this doesn’t seem to be much of a fit for a software company, right?

So, Microsoft is in the process of unloading Razorfish – and has identified five possible suitors. They include WPP (Nasdaq: WPPGY), Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), Publicis, Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) and Dentsu.

This is a terrible time to sell an interactive agency, in light of the diminishing ad sales and pushback on new investments.

The price tag? According to the Wall Street Journal, it could be $400 million. But, Microsoft also wants to tie in an agreement to promote its software as well as advertising services. In other words, the transaction may be more than price.