Microsoft Advertisings team Branded Entertainment and Experiences, BEET, startar ett samarbete med Epson om en onlineupplevelse riktad mot småföretag. "Experts for Better Business" heter satsningen som ska hjälpa Epson nå småföretag med tips och råd om effektivisering av verksamheten och maximera produktiviteten.
Avtalet löper under fem månader och satsningen sker i tio länder, bland annat Sverige. Det är första gången som Microsoft och Epson samarbetar i kampanj på det här sättet.
Se det engelska pressmeddelandet nedan för mer information.
Campaign will last five months and span ten markets
4 November 2008, London – Today, Microsoft announces that Epson has chosen to work with Microsoft Advertising’s Branded Entertainment and Experiences team (BEET) to create an exclusive online branded experience: ‘Experts for Better Business’. Developed by BEET, the new site is intended to help Epson reach the small business community with tips and advice about business efficiency and maximising productivity within small businesses.
The multinational deal1, sold through one central Microsoft Advertising contact across multiple markets will last for five months and span ten European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and UK. It is the first time that Microsoft and Epson have worked together on a branded campaign of this kind.
The experience will include easily digestible tips from Deborah Meaden (in the UK) – Small business guru and member of The Dragon’s Den; Stefan Schwartz (in Germany) – Business author of several SME books; Tariq Krim (in France) – Business Week Young Entrepreneur ; Arnaldo Abruzzini (in Italy) – Secretary Generale of Eurochambres; Jesus Encinar (in Spain) – Head of Idealista, Tuenti and 11870). As well as being able to ask the local experts questions, the site will also include open discussion boards which will allow users to comment on the articles, or the expert tips, and share advice and recommendations with each other. The information provided and discussed will cover a broad range of topics relevant to small businesses, from raising finance for growth to developing a mobile work force and staying afloat in an economic downturn.
Users will also be able to IM or email the content hosted on the site to friends and colleagues, print out the articles or comments on Epson branded templates, add links to their blogs and Facebook, as well as create an Epson ‘Experts for Better Business’ Linked In group. In addition, the site will host monthly competitions giving users the opportunity to win an Epson printer and a cash prize - open to anyone who submits comments or questions on the site. There will also be links to the Epson website with more detailed product information and sign up pages to a weekly Epson newsletter.
Rob Clark, Director Consumer Inkjet Business, Epson Europe, stated: “Through this exceptional project, Epson and Microsoft are providing the tools for businesses to excel in productivity and efficiency, especially essential in the current economic climate. The site provides a resource for small business owners and entrepreneurs to learn from and share with peers and experts alike.”
The campaign will be supported with media placements across the broader Microsoft Advertising network, including Office Online. With 46% of Office Online users working in small businesses, it offers a key opportunity to drive users to the site. There will also be a number of editorial placements across local MSN portals relating to the topics covered.
Tom Brunner, Brand Strategist for BEET International, Microsoft Advertising added: “This multinational campaign will combine Microsoft’s innovative technology and established online audience to help Epson reach an important and far reaching audience of small business owners. We have created an interactive digital experience that keeps a unified brand voice, delivers Epson’s campaign message and enables them to build a community for this business audience.”
The site is live from: 4 November in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK ; 11 November in Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden; 18 November in Belgium. The site can be visited at http://www.expertsforbetterbusiness.msn.com/
-ENDS-
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 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.
About the Epson Group
Epson is a global leader in imaging products including printers, 3LCD projectors and small- and medium-sized LCDs. With an innovative and creative culture, Epson is dedicated to exceeding the vision and expectations of customers worldwide with products known for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
Epson is a network of 88,925 employees in 109 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., the Group had consolidated sales of 1,347 billion yen in fiscal 2007.
About Epson Europe
Epson Europe B.V., based in Amsterdam, is the Group’s regional headquarters for Europe, Middle-East, Russia and Africa. With a workforce of 2,400 employees, Epson Europe’s sales for fiscal year 2007 were 1,854 million Euros.
For more information, press only:
justin.bates@redconsultancy.com
0207 025 6419
1. The deal was brokered by integrated digital media agency agenda 21
