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Microsoft acquires Navic Networks

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Microsoft Corp. has acquired television advertising provider Navic Networks. With this acquisition, Navic becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft and will join Microsoft’s Advertiser and Publisher Solutions (APS) Group, the group responsible for Microsoft’s comprehensive advertising platform that spans all digital media including television and video advertising. The APS Group includes Atlas, a pioneer of Video-On-Demand advertising solutions. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Originally posted on June 18, 2008 @ 11:22 am

YuMe to complement Microsoft’s video ad services

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Online video advertising network YuMe has been selected by
Microsoft Corp. to complement Microsoft’s existing video advertising services. YuMe will provide video advertising network management capabilities and sales for unsold inventory on Microsoft’s online properties.

YuMe will monetize Microsoft’s video advertising inventory by selling Microsoft’s excess video ad inventory as part of YuMe’s network of channels, allowing advertisers to purchase by audience and content genre.

As part of the agreement Microsoft will also utilize NetworkMe, a capability of YuMe’s advertising platform that allows publishers to aggregate all of their video content into one private ad network, providing a consolidated view of available inventory.

Originally posted on June 16, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

Microsoft, Yahoo back in negotiations

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Microsoft announced today that the company is returning to the negotiations table with Yahoo but not actually going after its entire business.

“Microsoft is considering and has raised with Yahoo! an alternative that would involve a transaction with Yahoo! but not an acquisition of all of Yahoo! Microsoft is not proposing to make a new bid to acquire all of Yahoo! at this time, but reserves the right to reconsider that alternative depending on future developments and discussions that may take place with Yahoo! or discussions with shareholders of Yahoo! or Microsoft or with other third parties,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Originally posted on May 18, 2008 @ 8:35 pm

Google Will Accept Third-Party Ads on Its Content Network

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Break in case of a Microsoft/Yahoo deal!

In order to cover their bases, Google has announced  that they are opening their massive content network to all ad buyers.  Basically, third-party ads will be accepted.

The move should please both advertisers and publishers alike, allowing them to better understand the value of their inventory and increase everyone’s revenue.

From Google:

“Today, we’re announcing that Google is accepting third-party advertising tags on the Google content network in North America. This will empower advertisers to work with approved third parties to serve and track display ads, including rich media ads, across the Google content network through AdWords, giving them more options, flexibility and control over their campaigns.”

Sounds like good news for everyone, except Microsoft and Yahoo.

Originally posted on May 19, 2008 @ 11:16 am

One Laptop Per Child Scales the Gates

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Microsoft, along with the One Laptop Per Child project, have announced that the XO laptop will be available in both Linux and Windows.

The Windows-powered XO will be released in approximately six countries starting next month. Expect a wider release later in the year.

The agreement, which has been rumored for quite some time, guarantees a broader acceptance for the XO which has gotten off to a shaky (at best) start. Several countries, such as Uruguay, made Windows a mandatory requirement in order to embrace the program.

The ultimate goal is to create a laptop that with boot in either Windows or Linux.

See, in order to get laptops into the hands of children in developing countries, everyone can get along!

Read more at BusinessWeek.

Originally posted on May 16, 2008 @ 9:10 am