If you've been reading about the anti-competitive implications of Google's DoubleClick acquisition, you may be privy to the handy work of public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has quietly hired the PR firm to wage a campaign against Google in an effort to convince regulators, advertisers and internet companies that the $3.1 billion deal will put too much power in the hands of Google.

None of the written pitches reviewed by the WSJ disclosed the PR firm's relationship with Microsoft. Josh Gottheimer, an executive vice president at Burson, said the agency was hired by Microsoft to create i-comp.org, a group dedicated to discussing issues of online privacy and competition. Microsoft confirmed that it is a founding member of i-comp.org.

In Europe, Burson's pitch asked internet companies to sign an online petition against Google, asking for a more "transparent and competitive internet."

In the wake of Google's DoubleClick acquisition, numerous stories expressing concern about a potential privacy and fair competition issues have come out of Europe.