Brand MarketingValueClick Buys Rival Internet Ad NetworkBy Mike Shields |August 12, 2005ShareBy Mike Shields |August 12, 2005ShareNEW YORK Online ad network ValueClick has acquired rival network Fastclick for approximately $215 million in a common stock exchange.Fastclick had been one of the larger players in the ad network space, boasting of partnerships with over 9,000 sites reaching over 112 million unique users in the U.S., according to comScore Media Metrix.With the acquisition, ValueClick claims it has formed the largest online advertising network, and that the combination of the two companies should make for a compelling option for both publishers and advertisers.“Through the combination of organic growth and prudent corporate development, we have built ValueClick into a true industry leader,” said ValueClick chairman and CEO James Zarley. “The addition of Fastclick should give our ValueClick Media division the industry’s largest reach into Internet users, enhancing our company’s overall leadership position with advertisers and publishers.” Adweek Adweek