Overture has extended its existing paid-placement search agreement to provide search results to users of MSN Search, which is accessible through Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser software, in the UK, Germany and France, as well as Japan and South Korea until December 2004.
The original agreement was set to expire in December 2003 and is separate from the company's existing distribution agreements covering the international MSN websites, which also run until December 2004.
At the same time, both the MSN Search and MSN website agreements have been expanded to include Overture's recently launched Italian operation, as well as the European territories Overture plans to enter by the end of 2003, which include Spain, the Netherlands and certain Scandinavian markets.
Christopher Payne, vice-president of MSN.com, said: "As a strategic distribution partner since 1998, Overture has consistently delivered high-quality search listings that augment the MSN Search experience by providing our users with broader access to the products and services they are searching for."
Search results on MSN Search and MSN websites feature Overture's top three paid placement listings -- generated by its worldwide base of 88,000 advertisers -- under the heading "Sponsored Sites".
Overture's search listings are generated by advertisers who bid for placement on keywords relevant to their business. The company's editorial team carefully screens these listings before they are distributed to Overture's partner network, which includes some of the internet's most popular destinations.
"The MSN Search extension and expanded global agreement underscores Overture's strong and growing relationship with MSN," Nick Hynes, managing director and president of Overture Europe, said. "We are sharply focused on driving increased value to industry partners such as MSN through better quality, customisation and revenue-generating capabilities on the search page."
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