Typical B2B mergers or acquisitions occur when a larger firm acquires a smaller, weaker one with the expectation that the performance of the acquired company will be improved by the infusion of skills from the stronger firm, according to a recent Elsevier report.

According to a report from investment bank Jordan, Edmiston Group, the value of these M&As in media, information, marketing and technology sectors increased 9 percent to $447 billion between 2010 and 2011. Furthermore, the number of actual deals within these sectors grew 2 percent during that same time period to 896.

"Overall, the interactive markets, including B2B and B2C online media and technology, and mobile media and technology, as well as marketing and interactive services, accounted for 71 percent of M&A deal activity for the year and 65% of the value," the firm wrote.

B2B online media and technology saw deal gains of 3 percent, rising to 63 over the past year, as well as $6.0 billion in deal value – a 132 percent increase.

Traditional B2B media was not as impressive this year, posting a 62 percent decrease is overall deals. 

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