Microsoft Corp.’s MSN Expedia travel service signed marketing agreements with
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts and
Travelscape.com.
Microsoft said the deals position MSN Expedia as a one-stop travel
marketplace. The hotel companies will have direct links from the MSN Expedia
home page to their respective Web sites, special hotel offers in the MSN
Expedia “Deals” section and other co-marketing opportunities. Financial
arrangements were not disclosed.
“These agreements, along with our more than four months of sold-out ad
inventory, clearly illustrate the value of MSN Expedia and its leadership in
the industry,” said Erik Blachford, director of advertising at MSN Expedia.
“We attribute these agreements to the high caliber of the more than 5 million
customers visiting MSN Expedia monthly.”
Travelscape.com is one reportedly of the top five travel wholesalers for
Nevada and the
top producer of online room nights in Las Vegas.
“As we looked to expand our reach and brand awareness, MSN Expedia was an
obvious choice,” said Tim Poster, CEO of Travelscape.com.
The MSN Expedia agreement with Starwood, one of the world’s largest hotel
operating companies with such brands as Sheraton, Westin, Four Points,
Caesars, W Hotels and Luxury Collection and St. Regis Hotels goes beyond an
advertising relationship to include co-marketing opportunities such as joint
travel
promotions and joint advertising.
As part of the agreement, Starwood will become a member of the MSN
Expedia
Associates Program, allowing customers to book airline and car reservations
directly from Starwood sites through the MSN Expedia co-branded booking
engine.
The Hyatt deal was previously announced.
