How can advertisers keep up with the many ways people consume video these days, switching from phone to TV to Xbox to their laptop or tablet? On Monday, Microsoft Advertising put a stake in the ground on that topic during its Digital Showcase in New York City. In short, the event demonstrated a departure from traditional ad spots that interrupt programming. Instead, attendees saw how they can now take advantage of the new ecosystem of video devices to integrate their messages into the content people want to watch.
In one example, Xbox and OneBeat are teaming up to bring an exclusive, first-of-its-kind entertainment experience that pulls back the curtain on the multi-billion dollar Electronic Dance Music phenomenon – the fastest growing category of music according to Nielsen. In another, LeBron James’ breakout animated series, “The LeBrons” is back for season two and will be available on May 10 exclusively across Microsoft consumer platforms, including Xbox LIVE and the MSN Video Hub.
A third example (see video above) is an exclusive destination on MSN, codenamed “StageDoor,” that presents an entirely different approach to surfacing video content online. “StageDoor” aggregates trusted, brand-safe video content from across different topics and subject matters to reflect the interests of the actual person watching, not just genres or keywords.
Last but not least, “Years of Living Dangerously” is a new Showtime TV series focused on climate change. Microsoft Advertising will be the exclusive digital partner for the series and will extend the stories online through a multi-screen experience with complementary content across MSN, Xbox and Windows 8.
Read the Microsoft Advertising blog post for lots more details about each of the items above, and return to the blog for developments.
Steve Clarke
Microsoft News Center Staff