The division is responsible for managing, planning and developing business opportunities for Microsoft’s online advertising platforms and services, which include Avenue A | Razorfish and Microsoft adCenter. The APS group will be run by Brian McAndrews, CEO of aQuantive. Roughly 2,600 employees from aQuantive will also report to McAndrews as part of APS, and continue to be located in their downtown Seattle offices.
The APS unit falls under Microsoft’s Platforms & Services Division (PSD), which will continue to be headed by Kevin Johnson.
“Today we take a significant step forward in our ability to capture share of the $40 billion online ad opportunity and the larger $600 billion ad market, which is rapidly shifting to the world of online and IP-served platforms, including TV and gaming,” Johnson said.
“The addition of aQuantive’s technologies and people to the Microsoft portfolio is a core, strategic investment and step forward in our plans to become one of the top two online advertising platforms in the industry.”
