Microsoft is prepping for a launch of its new video advertising service in the UK to rival Google’s YouTube, which commands a huge share in the segment.
The process is completely automated and is aptly known as programmatic trading as it uses computer programming algorithms. Microsoft has revealed that its decision is a direct response to the shift in video advertising that is moving away from TV to online.
According to Owen Sagness, general manager of Microsoft Advertising UK, Microsoft will also be offering a brand-safe environment for advertisers allowing them to buy video ads on 350 approved third-party publishers’ sites.
Sagness claimed that programmatic advertising is “an area of massive growth” and according to latest estimates the industry will be worth £6 billion by 2017.
Google and Facebook are leaders in online advertising with Microsoft completing the top 3 tally at third place with annual revenue of £2.1 billion.
[Editor’s note: Removed information (2nd paragraph) that falsely claimed that video advertising options will be available on Microsoft services. The paragraph read “Once launched, advertisers in the UK will be able to buy targeted video ad slots on multiple Microsoft services including MSN portal, Outlook email, Bing as well as Skype.”]
[Source: The Independent]
