REDMOND, Washington, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

- Company announces display advertising on Windows Live for mobile services, search advertising in beta on Live Search Mobile.

Today at Microsoft Corp's online advertising leadership forum, advance08, Brian McAndrews, senior vice president of the Advertiser & Publisher Solutions Group, announced the availability of display advertising across two popular Windows Live for mobile services, the launch of new markets for Windows Live for mobile services, and upcoming advertising plans for its Live Search Mobile offering. This marks the first year that mobile advertising has played a leading role at the industry event that brings together some of the most influential thought leaders of the global advertising community.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO )

Announced today, advertisers can now extend their campaigns to social media through Windows Live for mobile in France, Spain, the UK and the US by creating banner ads that will be visible across Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Hotmail. This builds upon Microsoft's initial launch of mobile advertising for MSN Mobile in France, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. where mobile ads are available alongside premium MSN Mobile content. Advertising on Windows Live for mobile is already available in Spain, and later this month will be available in Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, further extending its availability for advertisers. All ads placed on these two popular services will adhere to Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) guidelines.

"In today's connected world, the mobile device is emerging as a prime opportunity for advertisers to reach their audience," said Brian Arbogast, corporate vice president of Mobile Services at Microsoft. "This announcement is evidence of our commitment to providing advertisers with further opportunities to connect and engage consumers throughout their 'digital day' -- at home, at work and on the go across multiple platforms, devices and geographic regions."

"FedEx is committed to servicing our customers across mobile devices and creating awareness of our mobile applications so we can service them anytime, anywhere," said Steve Pacheco, director of advertising at FedEx. "As we profile our innovative application, mobile.fedex.com, working with emerging media platforms allows us to communicate broadly with our customer base."

Microsoft also announced plans to further expand its mobile offerings for advertisers to now include mobile search advertisements on Live Search Mobile. For the first time invited advertisers can create keyword campaigns through Microsoft adCenter that target customers on the go while they are using Live Search Mobile. This will be the first time that Microsoft has enabled advertisers to monetise its popular mobile search service. The beta is currently available in the US and will be expanded in the second half of 2008.

Microsoft also announced that it has more than doubled its market availability for Windows Live for mobile from 22 markets to 49. Windows Live for mobile provides the company's 430 million Windows Live customers with mobile access to Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Spaces from almost all web-enabled mobile handsets.

Today's announcement further demonstrates the momentum Microsoft is making in the mobile advertising market since its acquisition of ScreenTonic SA in May 2007. Those interested in trying out Microsoft's mobile Web services such as Windows Live for mobile, MSN Mobile and Live Search Mobile can visit http://www.mobile.msn.com from a mobile device with an Internet browser. Advertisers who want more information on how to advertise on MSN or Windows Live for mobile can go to http://advertising.microsoft.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

About Microsoft EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Microsoft has operated in EMEA since 1982. In the region Microsoft employs more than 16,000 people in over 64 subsidiaries, delivering products and services in more than 139 countries and territories.

This material is for informational purposes only. Microsoft Corp disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to use of the material for other purposes. Microsoft Corp shall not, at any time, be liable for any special, direct, indirect or consequential damages, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other action arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of the material. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting any kind of warranty.

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com

Microsoft Advertising Team, The Red Consultancy, +1-212-529-8472, aps@redconsultancy.com. NOTE TO EDITORS: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft in EMEA, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/emea or the EMEA Press Centre at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at the time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact the appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/contactus.mspx. If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft Corp, please visit the Microsoft web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO, AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org, PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com