Ad Testing Begins on Office Live, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces
REDMOND, Wash., March 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp.
(Nasdaq: MSFT) today announced it has begun testing display advertisements
across Microsoft(R) Office Live, Windows Live(TM) Mail and MSN(R) Spaces. The
multimarket tests include advertisements from such global companies as
Coca-Cola Brazil, JCPenney Co. Inc. and Monster Worldwide Inc. and mark the
beginning of providing advertisers with broader access to Microsoft's valuable
online audience. This effort will help generate revenue to provide consumers
with a wide array of free and low-cost online services such as Web hosting,
e-mail and Web services.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )
"Advertising is a very important business model for Microsoft worldwide
because an increasing number of advertisers are becoming more global," said
Joanne Bradford, corporate vice president for Global Sales and Marketing at
Microsoft. "With ad-supported software opportunities, we're able to offer
great services at low or no cost for our consumers and a vast ecosystem for
advertisers."
Top Brands Test Ads With Microsoft Worldwide
Coca-Cola Brazil, JCPenney and Monster Worldwide are among the 20 global
marketers participating in the initial ad tests. The results of the multiple
ad formats being tested will help determine which ad offerings provide the
best return on investment for marketers while adding value to the consumer
experience.
"Taking part in the Windows Live Mail beta program is something that
perfectly matches Coca-Cola's day-by-day attitude," said Monica Horcades,
marketing director for Coca-Cola Brazil. "We understand that one of the most
important roles of a global brand like us is to believe, support and stimulate
innovation in communication of all kinds, especially on the Web. Coca-Cola has
always been a pioneer on talking to young people wherever and whenever they
are. It's in our brand's DNA. And we believe that Windows Live Mail is going
to be a great way to do that."
Windows Live display ads are currently being tested in MSN Spaces in
Australia and Italy, and Windows Live Mail display ads are being tested in
various markets across the world including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Office Live display ads are initially being tested in the U.S. and immediately
sold out of their available openings for beta advertisers. Tests will continue
on these and other Microsoft sites and services throughout 2006, while
additional research is underway with approximately 100 advertisers in nine
markets to verify advertisers' needs and best practice advertising solutions
for Windows Live.
Taking the Next Step
In November 2005, Microsoft outlined its Windows Live and Office Live
online services vision and highlighted an advertising network in which
marketers would be able to create more meaningful connections with customers
while providing advertisers with the unique opportunity to connect with a new
and highly coveted audience, which includes small-business owners.
Microsoft will continue to invest heavily in MSN.com, as well as continue
to explore new advertising opportunities on Live.com, OfficeLive.com,
Microsoft.com, the Xbox Live(R) service, Internet Protocol television (IPTV),
mobile devices and other Microsoft properties.
About Microsoft Office Live
Microsoft Office Live offerings range from free domain name, Web site and
company e-mail accounts that are advertising-supported to more comprehensive
services available on a subscription-fee basis. The offerings can be
especially attractive to companies with 10 or fewer employees, which typically
lack in-house technical resources or the budget to keep an IT person on staff.
Microsoft Office Live Basics, Microsoft Office Live Essentials and Microsoft
Office Live Collaboration are being offered free of charge to customers during
the beta program. Customers interested in participating in the beta program
are invited to register online at http://www.OfficeLive.com . Microsoft
expects to release final public versions of all three Microsoft Office Live
services in late 2006. The beta program is currently only available to U.S.
businesses.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With
localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a
world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to
consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.
Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is
designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and
interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features
across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered
alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services
entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can
be found at http://ideas.live.com . MSN is located on the Web at
http://www.msn.com . MSN worldwide sites are located at
http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services
and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Windows Live, MSN and Xbox Live are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
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or Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide,
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