Ad agency conglomerate Publicis Groupe announced it will create a new "open source" ad network running on inventory from AOL's Platform-A, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo. Everyone knows the world does not need yet another ad network, so why is Publicis doing it? We asked AdWeek's Brian Morrissey. The five-word version: Because its scared of Google.

Here at Valleywag, we feel that readers deserve to be in on the gossip between reporters at the local watering hole. Why can't the same principle apply to our IM conversations? Here's one I had with AdWeek's Brian Morrissey. Topics include engagement mapping, the food crises and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and why search is overrated.