Microsoft Expands Alliance with Engage

Profile marketing solutions company Engage Technologies Inc. signed a multi-million dollar expansion of its current strategic alliance with Microsoft Corp.’s MSN division, which began in October 1997.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will license Engage’s proprietary Accipiter AdManager technology, including compliance with Engage’s proprietary profiling API’s, for use on Microsoft advertising supported Web Sites throughout the world.

Engage will also aid in Microsoft’s packaging and standardizing of its ad network into one platform worldwide. Financial specifics were not disclosed.

“We are extremely excited to expand our relationship with MSN and receive their endorsement of our online advertising solution,” said Paul Schaut, president and CEO of Engage. “Engage’s Accipiter AdManager solution helps to fulfill the need to provide precise ad targeting and support rich media banner advertisements across MSN. This relationship allows us to work closely with Microsoft to enhance our Accipiter AdManager product while at the same time sharing those improvements with our current and future customers.”

The two companies first expanded their relationship in January 1998 to include rich media support by collaborating on integration of Accipiter AdManager with Microsoft Windows Media.

Engage is a majority-owned subsidiary of Internet holding company CMGI Inc.