MS Spends Big Bucks on Marketing Blitz

Coincidentally on the same day as the launching of AOL 6.0, Microsoft has started its $150 million campaign blitz to promote its MSN service, a rival to AOL services and the Internet giants ISP. Mary Jo Foley over at ZDNet reports the marketing blitz will start in 16 cities, featuring rollerbladers handing out CDs of the software and talking to people. BetaNews has personally talked to a few of them trying not to get run over in New York. And of course, just like WinMeSweeps, Microsoft will be holding an online contest to give away more money and encourage more signups. Mary Jo also adds "Besides delivering the final, shipping version of MSN Explorer, Microsoft will unveil new versions of MSN services, including MSN Search, MSN eShop, and MoneyCentral."