Microsoft has engaged the services of public relations firm Burson-Marsteller to assist it in battling Google's pending $3.1 billion acquisition of online ad broker DoubleClick. Burson has spent the past few months sending out pitches on the dangers of the combination, which could allegedly threaten "fair and free competition" in Internet search while encroaching on the privacy rights of consumers. 
In Europe, Burson is encouraging Internet companies to sign an online petition for a more "transparent and competitive Internet." The firm has set up a website, www.i-comp.org, for the discussion of privacy and competition issues -- and while it does not disclose in its pitches that it is working for Microsoft, it does disclose that Microsoft is a member of that online forum. Microsoft spokesman Jack Evans said Microsoft is a "founding member" of i-comp.org. "We've been very clear that we were going to work to promote an industry dialogue about issues affecting the online-advertising market," he said. "It's no secret that Microsoft has concerns about the market-concentration impact that this proposed Google merger would have." Google has not commented on the campaign. Microsoft has also lobbied Time Warner, AT&T and ad firms to oppose the transaction. A Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust policy and consumer rights will hold a hearing on the deal this Thursday.
Sources: Wall Street Journal
Commentary: Microsoft, AT&T Press for Review of Google-DoubleClick Deal • DoubleClick: Google Acquires Microsoft's Latest Survival Attempt • Lots of Moving Parts in the Google-DoubleClick Deal • Google to Buy DoubleClick for $3.1 Billion
Stocks/ETFs to watch: MSFT, GOOG, T, TWX. ETFs: SWH, IYW, PRFQ, FDN, FPX
Earnings call transcripts: Google Q2 2007, Microsoft F4Q07
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