AQuantive: The Ad World's Model Performer

For aQuantive, times are good. Last week, it reported revenue growth that dwarf those of traditional holding companies. Granted, the percentage gain comes off a tiny fraction of the revenue base of those companies, but the growth—due largely to its structure of combining services, technology and media—is enviable to most.

The company’s Q4 revenue was up 53 percent from a year ago to $133.4 million, and profits nearly doubled to $20.4 million. With $278 million in cash, the company plans to expand its Avenue A/Razorfish agency network into new markets and extend its Atlas ad server into video on demand and elsewhere.

And now, several private equity firms are considering backing rollups that mimic its model.