Singapore – March 27, 2009 – Microsoft Advertising today announced that it will be a key supporter of the Audi Fashion Festival – an undertaking timed to coincide with the upcoming launch of its Lifestyle channel on its MSN portal.
The five‐day festival (May 6 to 10) will showcase the works of fashion designers from the legendary to the up‐and‐coming including Vivienne Westwood, Christian Lacroix and Ashley Isham. As a key sponsor, Microsoft Advertising will present the highly anticipated show by the British enfant terrible, Gareth Pugh, pegged to be one of the boldest fashion designers of his generation.
Coming off his recent Paris Fashion Week shows, courtesy of luxury conglomerate, LVMH, Gareth Pugh is geared to present his bold and edgy creations in Asia for the first time.
Mark Inkster, General Manager, Microsoft Online Services Group Southeast Asia, said: “We’re proud to be in the company of Audi in showcasing some of the most progressive and innovative talents in the world of fashion.”
“And we are incredibly excited to be making it possible for a leading artist like Gareth Pugh to stand alongside a host of visionaries and innovators at the Audi Fashion Festival.”
One of the most significant undertakings by Microsoft Advertising in Singapore in recent years, this move will also see Microsoft Advertising as the official online partner of the Audi Fashion Festival.
“Our participation at the festival couldn’t have come at a better time as MSN Southeast Asia prepares to launch its Lifestyle channel,” Mark Inkster said.
The new Lifestyle channel will cater to those interested in fashion, beauty, health and will offer the latest updates and footage from the Audi Fashion Festival as well as insights to behind‐the‐scenes activity onsite. MSN’s Lifestyle channel is currently slated to launch at the end of the second quarter.
The Audi Fashion Festival kicks off on May 6 at the Tent@Orchard, Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza. Tickets for all shows will go on sale from April 13 at Tickets.com (www.tdc.sg). Prices are $10 to $20 for regular shows; $50 to $60 for evening shows, including cocktails; and $400 to $500 for the Christian Lacroix opening show and gala dinner. MasterCard holders enjoy a 10% discount and pre‐public sale window starting from March 30. For more information about the Audi Fashion Festival, please visit www.audifashionfestival.com.
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About Microsoft Advertising
Microsoft Advertising provides world‐class advertising tools and solutions for digital advertisers and publishers to drive brand and consumer engagement. The portfolio includes all of our digital advertising businesses: our global media network that includes MSN, Windows Live, Office Live, XBOX, Live Search, Facebook and more, and our global technology platforms and tools that include Atlas, AdECN, adCenter, DRIVEpm, Massive and ScreenTonic, which together create engaging digital advertising experiences for their consumers. Microsoft Advertising helps make buying and selling media simple, smart and more cost‐effective across media and devices in the Microsoft network of properties and beyond, which spans 42 markets globally and 21 languages. Visit http://advertising.microsoft.com for more information.
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