Microsoft unveiled a new unified advertising strategy on Monday with the launch of Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions. The new branding incorporates ad offerings across MSN and Windows Live; the upcoming Xbox and Office Online; and future Windows Mobile and IPTV ad products. The goal is to bring together these various ad products and services into a coherent offering for advertisers.
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages.
Microsoft has been expanding its ad services for the past year, since it began refocusing its business on advertising a year ago. During that time, it has continued to develops its adCenter platform, launched improved search engine Live.com portal, and set up a new online business group, with MSN honcho Yusuf Mehdi as chief advertising strategist. Microsoft has also looked outside its business for ad growth, acquiring in-game ad provider Massive, and striking a deal with social network Facebook.
Microsoft’s MSN division pulled in $1.39 billion (all figures in US dollars) in ad revenue which is still far behind Google’s $6.07 billion and Yahoo’s $4.59 billion.
With a new improved search engine Microsoft hopes to reduce the gap very soon. Microsoft says it will beat Google at its own advertising game by offering advertisers a chance to target consumers more effectively, with ads that can be tailored and delivered based on demographics the company collects from users and analyzes in real-time.
More on Microsoft advertisin solutions:
http://advertising.microsoft.com.
