• The Wall Street Journal, Monday, September 24, 2007 11:15 AM

Microsoft Corp. is waging a quiet campaign to convince all interested parties to oppose Google Inc.'s acquisition of DoubleClick Inc., in part via its public-relations firm. Burson-Marsteller pitched media outlets and Internet companies on the dangers of the deal, which would bolster Google's already strong presence in online advertising. Burson cites the deal as part of a larger discussion of "fair and free competition" in Internet-search and privacy rights of consumers.

In Europe, Burson urged Internet companies to become signatories on an online petition for a more "transparent and competitive Internet," according to the pitches. It directed the companies to a Web site, www.i-comp.org, and provided user names and passwords to log in. The pitches cited a number of groups and an individual who had signed on to the effort. The pitches didn't disclose that Burson was working for Microsoft, Google's largest rival.

Burson execs say the firm was hired by Microsoft to set up i-comp.org as a "discussion forum" for issues of privacy and competition. A Google spokesman declined to comment on the campaign and said the DoubleClick deal is "positive for users and advertisers and fosters competition."

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