Microsoft Outfaces Google

Reports are in the Microsoft has invested $240 million in Facebook, taking a 1.6 percent stake in the company. This is a big win for both Microsoft and Mark Zuckerberg. Microsoft finally got a win from Google and gets a stake in one of the current big stars. Zuckerberg wins by validating his decision to tell Yahoo to buzz off when they offered him a staggering billion dollars for the company last year. Zuckerberg has indicated he would like to hold off on an IPO for at least two more years. In the meantime, Facebook hopes to become an advertising magnet by substantially increasing its current audience of nearly 50 million active users.

At the same time, I’ve heard reports Facebook has been sending select advertising executives a cryptic invitation to an event on Nov. 6, during which the company promises to “unveil a new way of advertising online.”