In its largest acquisition yet, Google has agreed to pay US$3.1 billion in cash for online ad company DoubleClick, the companies announced Friday.The deal gives Google a large network of advertisers and Web publishers to serve and sell ads to, and it boosts the search giant's banner advertising business, which lagged rival Yahoo's."The most compelling argument (for the deal) is it is accelerating our display advertising business," Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt said on a conference call with reporters and analysts. "I'm calling from Argentina where Google is opening its latest sales and support office...I was so excited about this."
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