Google exits Digg, enter Microsoft!

Software giant, Microsoft, is hitting on the online advertising space -- big time...
According to reports, the company has tied-up both- with popular news site, Digg.com, and with game developer, Electronic arts (EA); for selling adverts online.

However what is interesting is in case of the Digg deal, Microsoft has managed to replace previous online advertising partner, Google.

Under the Microsoft-Digg deal, for a period of three years, Microsoft will remain exclusive provider of display advertising and contextual ads that are ultimately determined by the site's content.

Just last year, Redmond had struck a similar deal with Facebook, a social networking Web site.
According to Steve Berkowitz, a senior vice president in Microsoft's online services group, the company is working on technology and design ideas for getting users engaged with the advertising, and making them a part of it.
Reportedly, Digg gets over 17 million visitors each month, with placement of content largely dependent on user votes or 'digs' as they are popularly called.

A second deal with EA makes Microsoft exclusive provider of advertisements in 5 upcoming EA games including Madden, NFL 08, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (Xbox 360 and Windows PC).
ThomLeeL