NEW YORK — Feb. 21, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. recently launched its small-business product, Microsoft® Office Live, to help small companies easily obtain an online presence. As part of its launch campaign, the Microsoft Office Live team selected Marquis Jet, the leader in private jet cards, as the grand prize for an innovative sweepstakes called I’m Going Places (www.officeliveoffers.com/sweepstakes).
This promotion targets small-business owners who aim to soar to new heights. No matter what type of business, in order to compete with the big players, one has to look and think big. The purpose of Microsoft Office Live is to help small businesses by offering them easy and affordable solutions for creating, maintaining and promoting a Web site, as well as managing their businesses online. Similarly, the Marquis Jet Card is recognized by businesses — small, medium and large — as the “go-to” resource for improving efficiency and maximizing a company’s most valuable resource: time. And what better way for a company to announce its arrival than to literally arrive with the Marquis Jet Card backed by the NetJets® fleet?
According to the Small Business Administration, there are more than 25.8 million small businesses in the U.S. today, and another 600,000 open every year. While advances in technology have helped to connect these businesses with their national and international clients, business travel for most small businesses is often challenging.
“Microsoft Office Live has established a great track record of providing small businesses with the same tools available to larger businesses,” said Michael Schultz, U.S. business and marketing lead for Office Live at Microsoft. “We can add wings to any business by helping even the smallest one establish a professional Web presence in just minutes. It’s just like private jet travel with the Marquis Jet Card program: a better way for small-business owners to promote and manage their business — wherever their business takes them.”
The Microsoft Office Live I’m Going Places sweepstakes invites participants to enter to win the grand prize of 10 hours of private jet travel on a Citation V Ultra for the winner and six guests offered by Marquis Jet. Customers may log onto www.officelive.com for more information.
“We are excited to be selected to work with Microsoft on this important product launch,” said Ken Austin, executive vice president of Marquis Jet. “Microsoft is a company that business owners large and small look to and rely upon daily to not only support, but also grow their business ventures. Microsoft’s reputation for consistently delivering products that professionals can depend on and leverage is one we are proud to be associated with.”
About Marquis Jet
Marquis Jet is the global leader in private jet cards. Through its exclusive alliance with NetJets, Marquis Jet provides the convenience, quality and safety of the world’s premier fractional aircraft ownership program 25 hours at a time. The Marquis Jet Card is available throughout North America, catering to businesses and individuals who desire access to the world’s best fleet and service. Business Traveler Magazine, Executive Travel Magazine, Robb Report and Flight International have recognized the Marquis Jet Card as the best in the industry. The Marquis Jet Card program is operated by NetJets Aviation, Inc. or NetJets International, Inc. under their respective FAR Part 135 Air Carrier Certificates. For additional information, visit the Company’s website at www.MarquisJet.com or call 1-866-JET-1400.
About Microsoft Office Live
Microsoft Office Live offerings range from free domain name, Web site and company e-mail accounts that are advertising-supported to more comprehensive services available on a subscription-fee basis. The offerings can be especially attractive to companies with 10 or fewer employees, which typically lack in-house technical resources or the budget to keep an IT person on staff. Microsoft Office Live Basics, Microsoft Office Live Essentials and Microsoft Office Live Collaboration are being offered free of charge to customers during the beta program. Customers interested in participating in the beta program are invited to register online at http://www.officelive.com. Microsoft expects to release final public versions of all three Microsoft Office Live services in late 2006. The beta program is currently only available to U.S. businesses.
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.
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