Alliance Data to Buy Conversant for Advertising Technology

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Alliance Data Systems Corp. agreed to buy Conversant Inc. for $2.3 billion, gaining technology to distribute advertising across the Internet and measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns.

Alliance Data will pay $35 a share for Conversant -- formerly known as ValueClick -- with 48 percent in cash and the rest in stock, according to a statement yesterday. The transaction values Westlake Village, California-based Conversant at about 10 times its expected adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization.