AOL, Yahoo & Microsoft Team Up to Sell Ads [REPORT]

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Executives from the three companies told top web publishers and ad buyers about the plan Tuesday night in New York, reports All Things D.

Under the plan, each of the companies will sell each other's "Class 2 display" inventory -- leftover banner ads the companies can't sell on their own. Usually such inventory would go to ad networks. The new plan is set to roll out later this year. Reps from the companies could not be reached for comment.

Google is relatively new to the banner ad business and still relies on search advertising for the bulk of its revenues. However, Google's ad business is growing much faster, overall, than Yahoo's or AOL's. Still, Microsoft's is growing faster than Google's, according to eMarketer. The report also comes after AOL was said to consider the idea of a merger with Yahoo.