March 15, 2006 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Microsoft Corporation has announced that it has begun tests of display advertising across online services that include Microsoft Office Live, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces. The tests are taking place in a number of countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. Advertising has been included from a number of large corporations that advertise on a global basis including Coca-Cola Brazil and JCPenney Co. Inc. Microsoft has suggested that revenues generated by such advertising in the future could be used to offer “a wide array of free and low-cost online services such as web hosting, email and web services.” The company is testing a range of advertising formats to establish the most effective for advertisers.
"Advertising is a very important business model for Microsoft worldwide because an increasing number of advertisers are becoming more global," suggested Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing Joanne Bradford. "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."
"Taking part in the Windows Live Mail beta program is something that perfectly matches Coca-Cola's day-by-day attitude," said Monica Horcades, Coca-Cola Brazil’s Marketing Director. "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."
