Microsoft set to launch television advertising campaign for Windows

Microsoft set to launch television advertising campaign for Windows

Redmond, Wash. -- January 24, 1992 -- Business Wire -- Microsoft Corp. Friday announced that it will kick off its first-ever television advertising campaign in March.

The TV ads are designed to build on the success of the Microsoft Windows operating system and Windows-based software applications, demonstrating the benefits of Windows-based computing to a new, broad audience.

``Microsoft Windows is already a phenomenal success, with more than nine million copies sold since the introduction of Windows 3.0 in May 1990,'' said Gary Gigot, vice president of marketing. ``This television campaign is aimed at building on that momentum by letting potential new users know how easy personal computing can be with Windows.

``We're targeting computer users who don't necessarily read computer magazines. While they're aware of Windows, many have not had the chance to see how the system can simplify basic computer tasks.''

In addition to championing the Windows operating system, the initial Microsoft commercials will promote two of the company's general business software applications -- Microsoft Word for Windows, a word processor, and Microsoft Excel for Windows, a spreadsheet program. The ads are scheduled to run on both network and cable programs. The $8 million advertising campaign was developed by Ogilvy & Mather, Los Angeles.

In the year-and-a-half since its introduction, Windows 3.0 has become the operating system and applications platform of choice for PC users with more than 5,000 software programs specifically designed to take advantage of the Windows operating system.

Many of the leading PC hardware manufacturers are now including Windows with each computer they sell. An enhanced version of the operating system, Windows 3.1, is scheduled for release this spring. Microsoft's first application for Windows was Microsoft Excel which shipped in 1987. Microsoft introduced Microsoft Word for Windows in 1989. Now in version numbers 3.0 and 2.0 respectively, the products have won numerous awards for technical excellence.

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, network products, languages and applications, as well as books, hardware and CD-ROM products for the microcomputer marketplace.

NOTE:

Microsoft is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Microsoft Corp., Redmond Sarah Charf or Marty Taucher, 206/882-8080 General Sales and Product Information, 800/426-9400 or Waggener Edstrom, Portland Marianne Allison or Pam Edstrom, 503/245-0905 09:02 ET