Live in Europe

As you may have read we are delighted to announce today the acquisition of Greenfield Online, which is the owner of Ciao.com, the shopping destination site. This announcement heralds the next phase in our investments in our Search strategy in Europe following the announcement of our dedicated Search Technology Centre 2 months ago. Ciao and its talented staff, who have built a successful operation spanning 7 countries and a community with over 26.5 million unique visitors, will become the cornerstone of our commercial search strategy in Europe.

Our overall search strategy is to deliver better search results, simplify key tasks and innovate in the search business model. The addition and integration of Ciao’s comparison capabilities and consumer community with Live Search will hugely simplify commerce-related tasks and provide richer data for searchers to help them make purchase decisions. Shopping or commerce-related searches are the most popular category of queries on the web and an important focus and differentiator for us both here in Europe and in the US where they launched the Live Search cashback program a few months ago.

Welcome on board Ciao - we are looking forward to working with you and to really pushing the boundaries and delivering outstanding experiences for our users in this critical area of search!

- Peter Maxmin (Search Lead for EMEA)

Last week in Cannes we announced the of a new Search Technology Centre – a dedicated engineering resource in Europe. This is great news in terms of really accelerating the development of our Live Search products and business across EMEA. It has not yet been decided exactly where the main centre will be and there are several candidates, but there is likely to be a hub in a major European city with several smaller spokes including major markets such as the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

This is really great news for our Live Search business in Europe. Search is definitely a local business with users having different expectations and experiences wherever they are in the world. Having a centre in Europe will allow us to embed the product more deeply in the local cultures, innovate more quickly and give Live Search customers an even more relevant and differentiated search experience. Having a Centre here will also help in the competition to attract the best engineering talent to the business by more easily tapping into the wealth of expertise in the region as well as bringing over some of our best Microsoft minds from Redmond  The Centre is based on the STC in China which opened in 2005 and has really allowed them to make rapid progress in the Asian product. From our perspective the announcement of the Search Technology Centre is also another great indication of Microsoft’s long-term commitment and investment in Europe and in disrupting the Search and advertising business – as per the US Live Search Cashback announcement a few weeks ago.

- Peter Maxmin (Search & MSN)

Explore different views of Europe with our online contest “Photo of Europe”!

For all you budding photographers out there, we are running an online competition for the best panoramic picture in Europe. Panoramas are not only about landscapes, they can also depict cityscapes, group shots and abstracts. So get your imagination going and show everyone a view of Europe they’ve never seen before. Besides, with the help of Windows Live Photo Gallery, creating great panoramic images just got easier – download it for free and see for yourself. If you don’t have pictures to share, but simply love photography, why not check out our online gallery. “Photo of Europe” is now live in Belgium (NL & FR), Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

- Era McCormack (Marketing Executive)

The following is the official press release for Messenger TV:

Premium Video on demand now available through Windows Live Messenger

London 12th MAY 2008. Microsoft today launches Messenger TV, a European innovation that brings together two of the most popular activities online – watching videos and chatting on Windows Live Messenger. As Messenger TV launches, Microsoft also announces new video content agreements in the UK with Channel 4 and EMI along with the signing of European advertisers including Twentieth Century Fox and Pepsi.

The new service will enable hundreds of millions of Windows Live Messenger customers to choose from an ever-growing range of premium content from MSN Video and watch it at the same time as their friends through Windows Live Messenger, all whilst being able to chat as part of their instant messaging conversation.

John Mangelaars, Vice-President, EMEA, Consumer and Online, Microsoft, said, "Online video has exploded in popularity over the last year, but to date it has been something people watch on their own. Messenger TV is set to change all that. Watching video online can now be a social experience, as people watch videos together, make comments and share reactions – all over Windows Live Messenger."

According to ComScore Video Metrix, watching videos is now the third most popular online activity behind search and shopping. Jack Flanagan, Executive Vice President, ComScore, said, "In the past year, the emergence of online videos has exploded throughout Europe. In the UK alone, over 87% of the online population accounted for nearly 10 billion minutes.

"By bringing together the interactivity of messenger usage with the ability to view videos online with other people and interact while this occurs, creates a new best of breed application. The launch of Messenger TV harnesses the power of social connectivity and interaction into a new state of the art application that is likely to resonate very strongly in the online world for media companies, advertisers and consumers."

Video usage figures are comparable in European markets, where watching online video attracts 84% of the online population in France and 81% in Germany.

Compelling Content
Messenger TV users can choose content from the entire MSN Video channel. Viewers can enjoy some of the most popular content on the web from MTV shows such as ‘Pimp My Ride' and ‘Punk'd' to a wide selection of videos and exclusive footage from Sony BMG's vast roster of superstar and emerging artists.

Gideon Bierer, MTVNI, Digital Media, SVP, said, "We are always looking for new ways to deliver our content, whenever and wherever our audience wants to be. With hundreds of millions of users worldwide, Windows Live Messenger is a great opportunity, and MSN and MTV are a great partnership. Our content – short-form, animation, comedy and music-orientated – is perfectly suited for MSN's audience while our brands are helping drive audiences to MSN's video sites."

Celebrating the launch of Messenger TV, Microsoft is also announcing content partnerships with Channel 4 and EMI to provide new video content on MSN Video in the UK. Content from Channel 4 includes clips of Skins, Peep Show and How to Look Good Naked amongst others. Content from EMI will include music videos from across all of EMI's frontline labels as well as its extensive back catalogue. Music fans will be able to check out the likes of Coldplay's "Speed of Sound" and Kylie's "In My Arms," as well as iconic music videos from Queen, Radiohead and Blur.

John Mangelaars, Vice-President, EMEA, Consumer and Online, Microsoft, said, "Our vision for MSN is to provide what we call the social portal, combining content that informs and entertains with Windows Live services such as Windows Live Messenger, which foster community and engagement. Video is a key part of this strategy and we continue to forge strong alliances with leading publishers and content owners."

Advertiser Opportunities
Messenger TV opens up a range of exciting new opportunities for advertisers, who can now reach their target audience via this pioneering social media platform, seamlessly integrating their brand into Windows Live Messenger conversations. Already, big brand advertisers including Pepsi, Twentieth Century Fox and Mazda have signed up to run campaigns on Messenger TV in European markets.

Bettina Sherick, Vice President of Digital Marketing for Twentieth Century Fox International said, "We are always looking for innovative ways to reach entertainment consumers who are actively watching video online. Messenger TV speaks to that need. We are confident that the combination of premium video content and the highly engaged Windows Live Messenger audience will help deliver a high impact advertising campaign to promote the latest M. Night Shyamalan film, ‘The Happening'. We are delighted to be the first brand to advertise on Messenger TV across multiple countries. We believe Messenger TV combines the best of online content with consumer conversation, creating a very attractive brand proposition."

Using Messenger TV is easy:

1. Ensure your browser language is set to your country
2. Start a regular text chat in Windows Live Messenger with a friend
3. Start Messenger TV from the list of activities within Windows Live Messenger
4. Browse the library of content on MSN Video
5. Choose your favourite clips and create a playlist from the vast selection of news, music, movie trailers, celebrity gossip and much more.

About MSN Video
MSN Video player provides an extensive array of videos, from breaking news to the latest in entertainment such as movie trailers and celebrity interviews and sports action. MSN video also offers user-generated content via its Soapbox service. The player features a split screen format that allows viewers to search for the next video to watch while concurrently watching a video.

About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localised versions available globally in 42 markets including 18 in EMEA. MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live™, a comprehensive 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.

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.

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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.

- Brian Groth (Windows Live product manager)

Microsoft’s consumer and online division in Europe is excited to announce the official release of Messenger TV to 21 countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom).

While the European team created Messenger TV, it has been a world-wide effort to build. Working with Microsoft teams around the world, we have shared the efforts to design, develop, test, localise, host, market, and sell ads for Messenger TV. Not only did the European team build it, but the idea initially came from Italy who created an early version last year and was the motivation that got the rest of Microsoft excited by the possibilities of using MSN Video content within Windows Live Messenger.

With Messenger TV, we are bringing two of the most popular activities online – watching videos and chatting on IM. This new service lets you watch MSN Videos with a friend as you have live text conversations about the videos you are watching together. Similar to watching television with your friends, you can watch videos and chat about them as you both see the same video at the same time. But the best way to understand Messenger TV is to visit http://MessengerTV.msn.com or to start the activity while chatting to a friend in Windows Live Messenger. With Messenger TV, you can select any of the videos that are available from MSN Video, build your playlist, and watch the videos with a friend.

With Messenger TV, you can also:

1. Blog about the videos you see and like by clicking the “Blog to Spaces” button. Clicking this opens your browser with your Windows Live Spaces blog already written, complete with a thumbnail of the video and a link to watch it so all you have to do is click “publish” from within Spaces to share the video with your friends and family who visit your Spaces site.

2. Send e-mail to offline friends with links to the videos you see and like by clicking the “Email Video” button. Clicking this creates a new e-mail in your default e-mail client, such as Windows Live Mail, with a link to the video so all you have to do is click “send” to share the video with your friends and family.

3. Search for other videos to watch online by entering a word or two in the “Search for videos online” box. The search results open in your browser with search results displayed on http://video.msn.com where you can continue watching videos that are found as a result of your search.

Not only is Messenger TV a fun experience for consumers, but it is a great example of software+services. On the desktop, it uses the peer-to-peer capabilities of Windows Live Messenger that runs on your Windows PC so you and a friend can watch videos together. In other words, it uses web services to configure Messenger TV and to stream videos from our MSN Video servers to each client.   

I believe we can build a highly competitive business around online video by providing premium content (we also announced new deals in the UK with Channel 4 and EMI in celebration of the Messenger TV launch today), engaging our audience through Windows Live services – integrated with the content (i.e with services like Messenger TV) and creating great advertising opportunities.

- John Mangelaars (Vice President, EMEA)

Over the last couple of days you may have noticed a few URLs being blocked during your text-chats on Windows Live Messenger. This was the result of something a partner of Microsoft's did and has now been corrected. Please see the "Inside Windows Live Messenger" blog for more details. Please keep in mind that we block URLs for everyone's safety (viruses, spam, and so on), and we do that via this partner. Apparently something went wrong and we will try to keep it from happening again. I know Dharmesh, who posted the blog entry on "Inside Windows Live Messenger", and I am confident that he will help resolve and improve this.

- Brian Groth (Windows Live product manager)

...and impress your friends? That will be piece of cake - thanks to the "Messenger Heroes". This new emoticon pack has more guts than Superman and Schwarzenegger together - all in a very cartoon-like style. If you're a fan of "The Incredibles", you'll love the Messenger Heroes too!

You can download the "Messenger Heroes" straight into your Windows Live Messenger - there are 30 of them and all for free!

The Messenger Heroes are live in Belgium (NL & FR), Denmark, Germany, UK, Norway & Sweden. Click on of these countries to get these free emoticons! If you're brave enough...

- Carole Vincke (Marketing Executive)

Always wanted to know how popular you are on the Internet? With StarFactor you'll be able to find out with one click.

StarFactor is a Facebook application that calculates your StarFactor by using Live Search results. The more results Live Search finds on the web about you, the higher your StarFactor. Once you know your own StarFactor, you can check out your friends’ StarFactor by inviting them. And try to beat them!

In case someone else with the same name shows up in your StarFactor results, you can easily refine them so that only relevant search results are showing up linked to your profile. Not satisfied with your StarFactor? Try to boost it by sharing stories, pictures or videos on the world wide web.

This is my StarFactor for the moment...I bet it won't be difficult to beat this? Just add StarFactor now if you're curious...

- Carole Vincke (Marketing Executive)

If you are active on Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, Tagged and LinkedIn then you can use www.Invite2Messenger.net to invite your friends from those social networks to Windows Live Messenger. Angus Logan's blog has a great list of screenshots.

The Windows Live team in The Netherlands created the first version (thanks to LiveSide for acknowledging that) and now it is available everywhere as explained in a blog entry on the Windows Live Dev blog by John Richards. John was also at Mix08 on a panel discussion related to this that you can watch called "Social Networks: Where Are They Taking Us?"

As you can see, our efforts around social networking aim to put you (our customers) at the centre of your online experience by making it easy for you to take your ID, your contacts, and your data with you as you move around the web.

- Brian Groth (Windows Live product manager)

At Cebit last week to do a press launch with the ASUS EPC team and T-Mobile. The ASUS EPC is a great little laptop that will now come with Windows Live services pre-installed – I did a demo of Windows Live Mail, Messenger and Photo Gallery to the assembled media. In Germany, the machine will come with a bundle of wireless Internet access.

To prepare my demo, I borrowed an ASUS EPC for a couple of weeks. It was running Windows XP with the Live Suite and worked extremely well. My three kids were entranced by this “mini PC”. I got Windows Live Family Safety settings up and running and left them with it for a couple of hours – they decided to play with the machine rather than watch the Simpsons, so I think ASUS are on the right track here. 

These photos are of the booth that Windows Live and ASUS had set up to allow visitors to use Windows Live applications on the new machines. There was a great deal of consumer and press buzz about this stand (Cebit is a really a monster of an event – like a large prairie farm in middle America but with technology instead of tractors in the grain barns).

- Alex Dale (Marketing Director)