MUMBAI: Microsoft Corp. has debuted its upgrade to Windows Messenger called Windows Live Messenger. The company today announced the launch of Windows Live Messenger globally over the course of the year in over 60 markets including 12 in Asia.
Windows Live Messenger goes beyond a traditional instant messaging (IM) service, enabling people to connect and share, with video calling, easy sharing folders and more.
The new Windows Live Messenger also offers a treasure map to a peek at exclusive scenes from Walt Disney Pictures‘ upcoming film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man‘s Chest, with exclusive access to Dead Man‘s Tale, an interactive online adventure that allows users to earn a berth aboard Jack Sparrow‘s ship, the Black Pearl.
“Windows Live is all about giving consumers the tools and services they need to be in control as they stay connected to the people they care about, on top of the information that is important to them, and protected across all of their online activities,” said Microsoft Asia Pacific director Windows Live and MSN business Alex Stewart. “The launch of Windows Live Messenger is an important milestone for the business as we work towards realizing the Windows Live vision. This vision is based around putting people at the center of their digital life and creating a seamless experience across their PC, devices, applications and the web.”
Windows Live Messenger is now available in more than 60 markets including India in the Asia Pacific such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan.
According to an official release, Windows Live Messenger is the next generation of MSN Messenger, the world’s most popular IM service and it goes beyond text IM to help connect people with voice, video and more. It also acts as a window to the internet, connecting people to their e-mail, blog, search and other Windows Live services with one click of the mouse.
On the advertising front:
“Windows Live Messenger builds on the strength of the traditional MSN Messenger service enhancing the consumer’s online experience and providing brands with even more exciting and entertaining advertising opportunities through which to reach their target audiences on a local, pan-regional and global scale,” said Microsoft Online Business Group international advertising sales VP Chris Dobson. “The integration of Windows Live Messenger with other Live.com services encourages prolonged consumer interaction, providing the advertiser with a more engaged audience to connect with.”
Advertising opportunities available with the new Windows Live Messenger service include: PC-to-PC video call, sharing folders, Windows Live Contacts and Windows Live video ads.
The release adds that the improved versions of traditional MSN Messenger advertising opportunities will also be available, these include: Windows Live Messenger Today page ad placement, sponsored tabs, theme packs and conversation window text link.
