Yahoo has merged all its European search products under one common business brandname, Yahoo Europe. Two years ago, Yahoo acquired the original PPC engine Overture, which had previously purchased Alta Vista and AlltheWeb, the search engine designed by the Norwegian search firm FAST.

Signalling an increased interest in paid search, Yahoo named Overture Europe's current regional vice president and managing director, Stephen Taylor, as the head of Yahoo Search Europe.

Dominique Vidal, a regional VP and managing director of Yahoo Europe said, "The creation of this new role marks an important step towards the ongoing synergy of Overture and Yahoo Search in Europe and reflects Yahoo's ongoing commitment to introducing the next generation of search technology and products for advertisers, publishers and users alike."

Yahoo has been rebranding its various international divisions over the past six months starting in North America with the introduction of Yahoo Search Marketing Solutions (why sms?) in early spring. It plans to merge its other international units, with the exception of Japan and Korea, before the end of the year.