Google has agreed to sell its Performics search marketing system to the Publicis Groupe , the two companies have just revealed .
Performics — brought into the Google family with its acquisition of DoubleClick this past March — has been on the auction block almost from the start. Google DoubleClick Integration Manager Tom Phillips posted about plans for the sale in a blog at the beginning of April, saying:
“It’s clear to us that we do not want to be in the search engine marketing business. Maintaining objectivity in both search and advertising is paramount to Google’s mission and core to the trust we ask from our users. For this reason, we plan to sell the Performics search marketing business to a third party. We believe this will allow us to maintain objectivity and the search marketing business to continue to grow and innovate and serve its customers. ”
After a four-month search, that buyer has been found. Publicis — headquartered in Paris — deals solely in search marketing and working with advertisers to maximize their campaigns.
Google indicated it will continue to work with Performics as a partner.
The deal is expected to be finalized by the third quarter of this year.
Double Click
