Microsoft Beats Out Google for Facebook Deal

Microsoft has beaten out Google for the hand of fair Facebook. The much-anticipated decision was announced today: Microsoft will handle Facebook's international ad sales (it already handles US sales) and invest $240 million for a 1.6% stake in the networking site. "We are pleased to take our Microsoft partnership to the next level," says Facebook's chief revenue officer.

"The opportunity to further collaborate as advertising partners is a big reason we have decided to take an equity stake, and is a strong statement of our confidence in the long-term economics of this partnership," says a Microsoft exec. Google declined to comment on any aspect of its negotiations with Facebook.