REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 20, 2006 — Nissan North America Inc. (NNA) will dramatically expand its Web advertising initiatives across online properties of Microsoft Corp., the two companies announced today. This expanded alliance will enable Nissan to more powerfully engage with consumers across multiple digital touch points throughout Microsoft® Digital Advertising Solutions including MSN®, Windows Live™, Live Search, Xbox® and Windows Mobile®. Furthermore, this new alliance allows Nissan to work directly with Microsoft content developers, strategists and subject matters experts to help Nissan reach its target consumers.
“Nissan’s target audience is adopting an increasingly mobile lifestyle, and the amount of time consumers spend online is rising significantly,” said Jan Thompson, vice president of marketing at NNA. “Broadening our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to deliver targeted messages to consumers across a diverse online network.”
Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions is designed to connect advertisers with their target audiences across such devices as PCs, Xbox video game systems, Web-enabled mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Through these channels, advertisers can reach more than 465 million consumers each month across the MSN network and millions more through Windows Live, Xbox Live® and Microsoft Office Online.
“Nissan North America is demonstrating exceptional vision and bold leadership with its commitment to make the Internet a cornerstone of its advertising strategy in this alliance with Microsoft,” said Eric Hadley, general manager of global marketing at Microsoft. “With unique, diverse and flexible assets that Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions can provide, Nissan is extremely well-positioned to reach consumers at every stage of the automotive buying cycle.”
Key parts of this alliance will include sponsorship of the “Forza Motorsport™ 2” console game on Xbox 360® and global tournament on Xbox Live, a co-branded “blogazine” for Infiniti on MSN called “Open for Design” (http://openfordesign.msn.com), search advertising with Microsoft adCenter, behavioral targeting, and participation in pilot advertising programs within Windows Mobile and Microsoft Office Live. Central to the alliance is a customized regional dealer strategy that involves the embedding of Nissan and Infiniti dealerships into Live Local Search mapping technology and geo-targeted advertising for dealerships.
About Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions
Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions encompasses a robust set of global advertising products and services designed to effectively connect advertisers with their target audiences across multiple digital lifestyle touch points. Advertisers can actively engage with a global audience of more than 465 million unique users per month across MSN, as well as millions more consumers through Windows Live, Xbox Live, Office Online and Live Search. More information about Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions is available at http://advertising.microsoft.com.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.