p2pnet.net News:- “Over the past year MSN has seen consumers’ appetite for richer, personalized online communications services surge globally, as evidenced by the rapid growth of MSN Messenger and MSN Spaces,” says a Microsoft puff piece.

What that means is Bill and the Boyz have moved their IM and blogging applications to the front line, “adding new communication features and advertising gimmicks aimed at turning the programs into revenue generators,” as the Seattle Times puts it.

"In its push to make more advertising dollars from free Internet services, Microsoft is taking a new tack: it’s hoping to persuade users to spread the branded word themselves," says USA Today.

"The latest version of Microsoft’s instant messaging product, released late Wednesday after several months in test form, will give users the option of downloading free ‘theme packs’ – including backgrounds, emoticons and other graphics – built around an advertising campaign."

However, according to Microsoft, nothing so crass as $ is involved ; )

“Today, the MSN network of Internet services began rolling out the latest versions of MSN Messenger and MSN Spaces in markets around the world,” it gushes. “New breakthroughs in video, voice and personalization features in MSN Messenger transform the service from being a quick way for people to keep in touch to being an essential life-sharing connection between friends and family.”

And, “We continue to invest in services that create meaningful, personal and emotional connections for our customers, letting them express themselves in ways that suit them best," says Blake Irving, corporate vp for the MSN communication services and member platform group.

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, don’t it?

Something you think we should know? tips[at]p2pnet.net

<————-RAM DISK is NOT an installation procedure!————–>

See:-
Microsoft – Global Availability of MSN Messenger and MSN Spaces Connects People Around the World, April 7, 2005
Seattle Times – MSN spreads its message, April 7, 2005
USA Today – Microsoft hopes customers will spread advertising word, April 7, 2005

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 7th, 2005 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

HOME

Viewed 3377 times