DoubleClick Close to Buying Falk

DoubleClick is close to signing a deal to acquire rival ad management firm Falk eSolutions, ClickZ has learned from a source familiar with the matter.

A purchase would give DoubleClick ownership of perhaps its strongest competitor in the European market, where Falk is most established. Its clients there include Mediacom, mediaedge:cia Netherlands and ZenithOptimedia.

The deal, which could theoretically fall through, has been in the works for approximately two months. No details were immediately available on a likely purchase price or closing date.

DoubleClick was acquired last year by Hellman & Friedman and JMI Equity, which later sold off its email division to Epsilon.

Falk was founded in Germany in 1998, and has since expanded to North America and Asia. The company is privately held, but recently stated its intention to issue a European public offering of stock. It offers ad delivery services for publishers and advertisers through its AdSolution platform.

Last year, Falk purchased the parent company of rich media firm Commflash, in order to keep up with the trend of ad management firms offering rich media compatibility.