REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 30, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that it is making available to advertisers six new enRiched ad options and solutions.
The introduction of new online ad technology is the next step in the enRiched Ad Program launched last year by the MSN® network of Internet services. These next-generation enRiched ads were designed to help marketers and advertisers design cost-effective
“rich media”
ad campaigns, enhance online marketing and expand the traditional banner space via interactivity within ads.
“The enRiched Ad Program from MSN allows Unilever to maximize online impact by advertising our products to the right people with the right message at the right time while helping us to minimize production costs,”
said Stan Weinstein, interactive media manager for the Interactive Brand Center at Unilever.
“Any solution that allows us to address one person differently than another – that’s mass customization. The new enRiched ad solutions from MSN are designed to help us do that.”
Rich ads included in this announcement include the following:
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Active Catalog gives consumers the ability to view multiple products within the original ad. When consumers decide to purchase or research a product further, one mouse click will take them directly to that product’s page on a retailer’s Web site.
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Scrolling Slideshow reveals pictures of products that scroll left to right through the right-hand side of the banner. Multiple links help consumers click directly to a particular product. This banner is excellent for the broadband advertising opportunity because it allows advertisers to deliver visual merchandising within the banner space.
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Expanding Graphic Banner expands into a magazine-like ad when the cursor is dragged across the ad. This enables marketers and advertisers to use graphics from traditional print campaigns in the online space.
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Expanding HTML Banner expands a banner ad into an HTML response form or template without forcing users to leave the original content page. Marketers and advertisers can use these ads to enroll users into opt-in e-mail newsletters in an easy, one-step registration process.
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Scrolling Text Banner offers text scrolling through one side of the banner with product information and pricing. It allows consumers to window shop within the original banner, choose a product and go directly to the product’s home page on a customer’s Web site.
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Scratch-Off Banner allows consumers to drag their cursor over an ad, revealing a hidden message. Advertisers can use these online ads to leverage offline promotions such as bottle cap contests, scratch-and-win cards and peel-and-win stickers.
“Today’s release of new enRiched ads is another example of how MSN Sales is working with advertisers, marketers and ad agencies to deliver effective interactive campaigns,”
said Michael Hurt, product manager for MSN Sales.
“MSN Sales’ enRiched Ad Program is designed to push the technology envelope while increasing interactivity for online ads.”
MSN enRiched Ad products will be available to any online advertiser or marketer and will be accessible via the MSN Media Center Web site at http://www.mediacenter.msn.com/ .
About MSN
MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet – a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most out of their time online. With more than 210 million visitors in September, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages – a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN takes advantage of the Microsoft .NET Platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with the most integrated and personalized user experience for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. MSN Internet Access and the recently introduced MSN Explorer offer the quickest, most personal and exciting ways to get on to and take advantage of the Web. Best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest growing instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search, the second most popular online search service; MSN Mobile, the customizable wireless information service; the award-winning MSN MoneyCentral™
online personal finance guide; MSN eShop, the one-stop online shopping resource; and MSN Custom Web Sites, the easy way to share information on the Web. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail and MoneyCentral 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.
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