AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, October 27 /PRNewswire/ --

- Solutions enable publishers to meet challenges of creating and 
monetising print and digital content.

This week at IFRA Expo 2008, Microsoft Corp will demonstrate how
publishers can use technology to stay competitive in the world of online and
digital media and evolve their publications into content service offerings by
creating compelling user experiences and adapting their business models. In
the RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre, Stand 9003, Hall 9, Microsoft will
show a range of solutions dedicated to media search and monetisation of
archive materials, advertising and the digital content experience.

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

"The traditional publishing industry is rapidly adapting business models
to make the most of the promise of the online world, and we offer publishers
a variety of solutions that can help them effectively manage and monetise
content across multiple channels," said Rainer Kellerhals, global media and
entertainment solutions lead, Microsoft Communications Sector. "Consumers
already expect access to music and video on the move whenever they choose, so
it stands to reason they should have high expectations for news and other
published media."

Advertising Solutions

5 fifteen, provider of software and consultancy to publishers, is using
Microsoft technology to help publishers better support their advertising
sales cycle. 5 fifteen is integrating Microsoft Dynamics CRM with ad DEPOT
and Atlas AdManager to embed print and online ad bookings, and print ad
insertion and online ad serving directly within the ad sales process.

ad DEPOT Media for Microsoft Dynamics CRM adds specific sales and
marketing functionality to provide a full multimedia booking engine for all
advertising types. Complex, multimedia ad bookings can now be made directly
from within the Microsoft Dynamics CRM environment, with full integration of
account and contact information.

"The online channel is becoming increasingly important for advertisers,
and for publishers to stay competitive, they need the ability to offer
cross-media ad campaigns, including print and online media," said Rod
Fenwick, managing director of 5 fifteen. "This requires tight integration
between print and online ad booking systems, customer relationship management
systems, and publishing systems. Working with Microsoft, we have developed an
integrated ad sales and booking system for print and online ad campaigns."

Digital Content Experience and Monetisation

Microsoft Syndicated Client Experiences (SCE) Reader is a reading
application that helps publishers create the best possible on-screen reading
experiences. Microsoft SCE Reader is a complete solution that makes it easy
for publishers to build and deploy e-publishing services with a rich user
experience, either optimised for the Windows platform using Windows
Presentation Foundation (WPF), or in future also for web browsers and mobile
devices using Microsoft Silverlight. The SCE Reader makes content available
both online and offline, utilises WPF's advanced text display and layout
capabilities to present a high-quality on-screen reading experience, and
supports innovative ways of advertising in news content. New customers
include Le Monde in France and Jyllands-Posten in Denmark.

"At Le Monde we've recently implemented SCE Reader to give our readers
instant access to the latest issue wherever they may be," said Dao Nguyen,
general manager, Le Monde interactif. "They can pick up the latest copy on
their laptop and it's all automatically updated with the latest news while
they are online, but it's also stored locally for them to read while offline.
This allows us to extend our reach, as well as expanding the portfolio of
digital content services we bring to our audience."

"JP2 is an important part of our digital publishing strategy, providing
our news through multiple channels. Our experience so far has proved that
very precisely," said Jens Nicolaisen, CEO of electronic media at
Jyllands-Posten. "Our ambitions and goals for the JP2 digital edition were to
have a powerful tool to communicate that our newspaper is not a conservative,
traditional newspaper just 'printing newspapers.' We strongly believe that
with our digital edition, JP2, we can attract a somewhat younger audience and
an audience for whom flexibility and mobility is important."

Media Search

FAST, a Microsoft subsidiary, is demonstrating its flexible and scalable
enterprise search platform, FAST ESP, which allows organisations to create
unique user experiences and change the way people interact with information;
uncovering new revenue streams, improving business decisions, and increasing
productivity. FT.com, one of the world's fastest growing business websites,
has reported year on year growth of more than 70 per cent in online search
supported by FAST ESP following the introduction of its new access model in
October 2007.

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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