Amid reports that leveraged buyout firm Hellman & Friedman is nearing a deal to buy DoubleClick for as much as $1.2 billion, the online ad services firm reported a quarterly loss.

In case you haven't already heard, DoubleClick's stock jumped 17 percent from $1.30 to $8.60 on news that Hellman & Friedman, a San Francisco-based buyout firm, is closing in on an acquisition of the Internet pioneer that's estimated at nearly $1.2 billion.

America Online says it will block identity theft sites and track sites that are suspected of conducting illegal activity. It's all part of a new plan to fight what has become known as "phishing," or the practice of sending phony e-mail and creating fake Web sites to lure personal information from consumers.

Where are all the talented, enthusiastic, earnest, curious, creative, and analytical young people? Chances are, a lot of them will show up at 212's first annual Interactive Advertising Career Day and Recruitment Fair. At least we hope they do. 212, the Interactive Advertising Club of New York City, is holding the event, sponsored by MSN and NYTimes.com, on Friday, April 22.

Two out of five online U.S. consumers have read a political blog and more than a quarter read them once a month or more, according to a new survey by Harris Interactive. There are more adults reading the blogs of political pundits and prognosticators than there are people posting comments on them. The Harris survey, conducted in March, found that of 2,630 online adults, less than one in 10 had ever posted a comment to a political blog. Harris found that 15 percent of those surveyed had posted comments. Not surprisingly the survey found that people with a …

So here's a bit of intelligence that to us is not at all surprising. A new study conducted by Accenture finds that technologies that enable ad-skipping through commercials, along with on-demand video services, are expected to weaken TV ad revenue growth through 2009. What a surprise.

It's that time again. Tax time. Traffic to online tax information and prep sites is spiking. In fact, 68 percent of people have either filed their taxes online or are still planning to do so, according to a study conducted by Claria's Feedback Research unit.

Is there any doubt that consumers are taking issues of health and wellness into their own hands? Between diets, fitness programs, and chronic disease management, there is a wealth of credible information on the Web. WebMD, for starters, is a great resource for consumers, physicians, and other health providers. In matters of health, the Web has been a great enabler.

"There are no new users anymore!" erupts Michael Zimbalist, president of the Online Publishers Association (OPA). Michael uttered the declaration in a characteristic burst of irony and exuberance during coffee with the Minute last week.

Satellite radio rocks these days, and here's some news that the sector hopes will improve its distribution. AOL today says it's teaming up with XM Satellite Radio to offer a co-branded online radio service that will debut this summer in conjunction with AOL's launch of AOL.com as a Web portal. The co-branded radio service will be available to AOL members at no additional cost.