Summary: Microsoft and the media come together in the UK, Canada, and the United States

BACK IN AUGUST we offered a little summary of Microsoft's mischiefs at the BBC [1, 2], where there is increasing staff-wise intersection with Microsoft. The Belfast Telegraph has come up with a somewhat alarming headline, saying that "Microsoft plans to become key provider of news to British audiences."

Microsoft plans to become key provider of news to British audiences

It's really called a huddle but we are so whacky and new media here we call it The Cuddle," laughs Matthew Ball, as he heads off into a corner of the newsroom and gathers his staff about him.

Then in a circular space, looking out towards Buckingham Palace, Microsoft's British editor-in-chief, addresses his team of news, entertainment, motoring and business journalists, as they seek to become major players in the British news media.

What will be next? Glorification of Microsoft and Gates, among other things on Microsoft's agenda? We saw a lot of this before, particularly where Microsoft has investments and/or former staff.

There is a similar situation in Canada, but it seems a lot less severe because Bell recently disengaged from partnering with Microsoft. In the United States, on the other hand, Microsoft bought quite a few news sites/channels recently, along with MSNBC. It is part of a trend and even blogs are now paid to promote Microsoft.

The Emmy Awards ceremony is to be chaired by a Microsoft corporate VP and here is Microsoft taking its stock of products to television.

The New York Television Festival is partnering with Microsoft's MSN, Zune and Xbox for the fifth annual event, taking place from Sept. 21-26 in New York City.

Apple Insider argues that "Microsoft's fight against Apple ads seen as waste of money."

With Apple's Mac home market share tripling in the past five years, Microsoft has fought back with its own advertising campaigns attacking Apple for the first time, a move one analyst sees as a mistake.

Marketing does make a difference, but the question is, what is the cost to Microsoft? With multi-billion marketing budgets, Apple and Microsoft sure annul a lot of their earnings. Superficial images and stereotypes are not an ideal method to gain faithfulness from customers, but then again, Ballmer and his wife have an extensive professional background in marketing. ⬆



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