Microsoft bids to work closer with brands
Microsoft Advertising has appointed former TalkSport and Emap creative Duncan Stafford to the new position of creative lead as it looks to improve how it works with brands to develop more effective campaigns on its platform.
Stafford will work alongside a technical specialist and in partnership with agencies to develop creative brand experiences across Microsoft’s portfolio, which includes the recent release of the Windows 8 operating system.
Microsoft told Marketing Week last month it is setting out a vision to “reinvent” and improve the industry standard for digital and mobile advertising to improve the way all operating system companies serve ads to consumers on personal devices.
Part of this strategy includes the development of what it says is an industry first co-creation approach, having already partnered with brands including Paramount and Dell to create launch apps and ads within them for the new platform.
Stafford will report directly into James Hayr, Microsoft Advertising’s head of advertising solutions, working to ensure the company works alongside brands and agencies at the early stages of development in their campaigns.
He joins from Dennis Publishing where he holds the role of creative director. Prior to that he held the role of art director at TalkSport’s digital magazine and before that he held director level creative roles at Emap.