Microsoft Mouse Awards

Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions today announces the launch of the MOUSE Awards, its fourth annual European digital creative competition. Rebranded for 2008, the MOUSE Awards are designed to champion creativity and celebrate innovation in digital marketing. Creative and media agencies from across Europe are invited to submit their most innovative and imaginative campaign work from the past 12 months in a bid to win industry recognition for their talents.

The awards will be judged on three key criteria: creativity, innovation and strategic approach, across five distinct categories:

* Charity & NGO
* Consumer Goods (FMCG)
* Financial Services
* Telecoms, Media & Entertainment
* Transport and Travel

An award will also be presented for the campaign which makes the best use of the extended Microsoft advertising network, including MSN, Windows Live, Xbox Live, Xbox.com, Massive, mobile and Office Online.

Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions has worked with leading London-based agency, Johnson Banks, to develop the exciting new "MOUSE" identity. Since launch in 2004, the annual awards have grown in popularity and credibility, with entries growing 28% year on year.

The Chairman of judges is award winning Creative Director, Flo Heiss from Dare. He commented on the MOUSE Awards: "To guarantee the continued growth and evolution of our industry, we need to demonstrate to advertisers exactly what the digital medium can allow them to achieve with the right brief and budget. Key to this, is being able to share examples of best practice which is why competitions like the MOUSE Awards are so important - they allow creatives to reaffirm the industry benchmarks against which their ideas are being measured and provide them with credible demonstrations that they can play back to their clients."

Marc Bresseel, General Manager, Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, EMEA added: "Digital creatives are amongst the most innovative and forward thinking individuals across the entire advertising industry. Every year we see the boundaries of possibility being stretched. It is only right that this excellence is celebrated through industry awards such as our MOUSE Awards.

"A mix of talent and technology is key to the continued evolution of this industry. With the launch of exciting new tools and products by Microsoft for the creative industry, including Silverlight and Tafiti, I'm sure that in 2008 we will witness some of the most innovative and inspiring campaigns yet."

Winners will receive a cash prize for their agency and be entered into the coveted 2008 Cannes Cyber Lions Awards, which Microsoft will sponsor for the seventh consecutive year. Entries can be submitted between 28th January and 10th March 2008 at http://advertising.microsoft.com/europe/mouse.

Judging will take place on 17 and 18 April 2008. Winners will be announced at the end of April 2008.

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