Microsoft Launches Premier Shopping Center on CNBC on MSN Money; Blue Nile Signs as First Merchant

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 7, 2002 — Microsoft Corp. today introduced the MSN®
Money Marketplace, a new online shopping center featuring today’s premier merchants along with related content and tools to help consumers make smarter purchasing decisions. Blue Nile Inc. ( http://www.bluenile.com/ ), the leading online retailer of diamonds and fine jewelry, has signed on as the first sponsor of the MSN Money Marketplace, providing content for the center’s November theme,
“Getting Engaged.”

Found exclusively on http://money.msn.com/ , the MSN Money Marketplace will focus on various themes throughout the year, from special life events, such as getting engaged or having a baby, to unique calendar days, such as Father’s Day or Valentine’s Day. Content from CNBC on MSN Money and highlighted merchants will help consumers with financial decisions and provide convenient access to related purchase ideas.

“The MSN Money Marketplace gives us the unique opportunity to combine Microsoft’s renowned personal finance tools with our content and guidance, delivering a new kind of shopping experience to consumers,”
said Sue Bell, vice president of marketing at Blue Nile.
“Through this combination, we’re able to communicate with the millions of people who visit CNBC on MSN Money each month — to meet their engagement-related needs in one convenient location.”

“We recognized that major life events — from getting engaged to having children — often have a considerable impact on the pocketbook,”
said Chris Jolley, director of product management for the Financial Products Group at Microsoft.
“With the launch of the MSN Money Marketplace, Microsoft arms consumers with relevant content next to product ideas from high-end merchants such as Blue Nile, helping them make smarter financial decisions as they approach every special occasion.”

About CNBC on MSN Money

CNBC on MSN Money, located exclusively on MSN, is a complete online personal finance service that combines award-winning finance tools and content from Microsoft, the worldwide leader in software, with exclusive investment news and analysis from CNBC, the world’s most popular financial cable news network. CNBC on MSN Money offers consumers the ability to easily complete a wide range of everyday financial tasks, such as paying bills, viewing account balances, tracking investments, planning for retirement and staying informed with the latest financial news, in one convenient place online — any time, any place.

CNBC on MSN Money enables people at all levels of experience to take control of and feel comfortable with their finances, helping them make smart financial decisions. Leading industry publications, including Barron’s, Forbes Magazine, Money Magazine, PC Magazine and PC World Magazine, consistently applaud the sophisticated personal finance tools and information from Microsoft. The service is available at http://www.cnbc.com/ or http://money.msn.com/ , or by visiting MSN 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 and MSN 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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