The first major marriage of two companies in 2015 may be taking shape just five days into the new year after reports surfaced Monday that Verizon Communications has approached AOL about a possible joint venture or acquisition.

Bloomberg reports that Verizon approached AOL about a potential deal that would expand the company’s mobile-video offerings by focusing on AOL’s programmatic advertising technology.

A person close to the talks tells Bloomberg that under the prospective deal Verizon is seeking expertise in three areas: online content, mobile video and advertising.

Merging AOL’s programmatic ads platform – the automated buying and selling of ads online – with Verizon’s mobile video could eventually be paired with a future online-video product, the sources say.

Bloomberg reports that no formal proposal has been made and no agreement is imminent.

Still, any possible deal between the two companies could help Verizon catch up with rival AT&T as the wireless providers race to enhance their consumer offerings, the sources say.

According to the reports, it’s unclear whether or not Verizon is interested in AOL’s media properties such as Huffington Post, TechCrunch and Engadget.

Verizon Said to Approach AOL About Possible Takeover or Venture [Bloomberg]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.