Digital measurement firm comScore Inc. [SCOR] late Wednesday said it would acquire mobile measuring firm M:Metrics Inc. for $44.3 million and grant unvested options holders in M:Metrics the ability to purchase 50,000 shares of  comScore stock.

M:Metrics provides three measurement products: one that captures overall mobile phone usage, including device information and data usage; an on-device meter that passively measures the Internet behavior and media consumption of 4,000 smartphone participants; and a tracking service for mobile advertising that monitors clickable display advertising.

M:Metrics' revenues are currently forecast to be approximately $11 million to $12 million for 2008 and will contribute $6.5 million to $7 million to comScore's revenues this year. ComScore said it expects the business to be profitable on an adjusted EBITDA basis by the end of the fourth quarter of 2008.

M:Metrics is backed by I-Hatch Ventures, Prism Venture Partners and Kantar Group, which invested $7 million in the Seattle-based company in 2005. The company was represented in the transaction by media investment bank The Jordan, Edmiston Group, Inc. -- David Shabelman

See May 28 press release from comScore