REDMOND, Wash., March 21, 2001 — The MSN® network of Internet services today launches the exclusive online destination for this spring’s highly anticipated film comedy “Bridget Jones’s Diary.” Moviegoers and singletons around the world can get “in the know” about “Bridget Jones’s Diary” by visiting http://www.bridgetjonesdiary.msn.com/ . There Bridget fans will find an array of advice columns on being single in today’s world, retail outlets for the latest trends, quizzes on relationships and the single life, and movie trailers and soundtrack clips.
In the film, to be released in April, Ren
ée Zellweger as Bridget and Hugh Grant as her dashing boss find themselves engaged in a hilarious online flirtation via the MSN Hotmail® , the world’s largest Web-based e-mail service. Audiences will be tantalized by their office romance, failed New Year’s resolutions and unusual singleton experiences.
MSN offers coping strategies for those in the complex singles’ world: advice on love, relationships and successful flirting, stirring up an office romance, and luring a love interest. For fans who want to look like Bridget, there is the “Bridget Jones’s Diary” marketplace for all occasions, which includes everything from the latest in Bridget fashions to ideal gifts for singletons, as well as the chance to win* one of two trips to The Spa at Doral in Miami for a relaxing five-day getaway. For real-life advice from the stars themselves, fans will be able to chat live with Ren
é
e Zellweger and Hugh Grant through MSN Chat; chat details on MSN are forthcoming.
The MSN Entertainment Channel covers a broad range of entertainment, providing consumers with a complete Web experience. “Together with Miramax, MSN will offer fans worldwide the most entertaining ‘Bridget’ experience online,” said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN at Microsoft Corp.
Together, Miramax and MSN are bringing Bridget Jones’s Diary to life via the Web. “Reaching over 230 million visitors monthly, MSN brings tremendous value to Miramax and is key to expanding our audience and increasing overall awareness,” said Andrew Robbins, vice president of New Media for Miramax. “Entertaining consumers is our priority, and MSN is committed to extending the ultimate online entertainment experience to ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ fans around the world.”
The global MSN campaign will reach beyond the United States to Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Bridget Jones’s homeland, the United Kingdom.
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 of their time online. With more than 230 million visitors per month, 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 quick, 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 Web-based e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest-growing Web-based instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search; 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.
* Open only to residents of the 48 contiguous United States and District of Columbia, 21 years of age or older. The sweepstakes will be active April 6-30, 2001, with the grand prize drawing on May 4, 2001. For full rules, see http://www.bridgetjonesdiary.msn.com/ .
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