MSN rejigs car site to boost online advertising

Microsoft has revamped its MSN Cars site as it continues its programme to attract more online advertising.

The company has introduced an interactive tool that allows side-by-side comparisons of features and prices for new and used cars. It claims this will help advertisers reach more targeted groups of consumers. It has also introduced a new ad format, dropping most of its banner ad space in favour of 300 x 250 placements, which more than doubles the available ad space on the site.

The website has been redesigned and new features added, including a fuel-cost estimator and a finance planning tool. The moves underline the increasing importance that Microsoft is placing on online advertising revenues.

This week it has created two new senior roles to support this strategy.

Chris Dobson has been promoted to vice-president of international advertising sales, responsible for Microsoft’s ad sales across all markets outside the US. In the UK, MSN has appointed Alex Marks as head of trade marketing. He joins from media agency i-level, and will work across all MSN’s advertising platforms, including the newly launched AdCenter and Windows Live.