We're not sure why this has taken so long to get out there, but the November 1 print edition of Advertising Age reported that Google may be looking to hook up with an outside ad agency. If true, that would differ from Google's in-house, low-key marketing approach. Here's the Ad Age blurb:

Just three months after going public, Google has been talking with a few large general advertising agencies, several industry executives have confirmed. A Google representative declined to comment on whether the company is conducting a review. Hiring a traditional ad firm would indicate a major break with Google's past methods of brand development. In lieu of advertising, the company relied on word-of-mouth brand development and the strengths of its search engine. But bringing in either a hot creative shop or a large network with global reach would likely lead to bigger media buys.

(Via Andy Beal)