Switchboard Signs Microsoft to One-Year Sitewide Sponsorship

Switchboard Inc. in Westboro, MA, the
majority-owned Internet directory service subsidiary of Banyan Systems Inc.,
said Microsoft signed a one-year
sponsorship deal.

The pact calls for the purchase of sitewide advertising positions on the
Switchboard Internet site for four Microsoft Internet properties: the
Microsoft CarPoint online automotive service, the Expedia.com travel service; Microsoft Investor; and
the soon-to-be-launched Microsoft HomeAdvisor, online real estate service.

Each property will be a sitewide Switchboard sponsor in its respective
category–Auto, Travel, Finance or Real Estate. Spending details were not disclosed.

In addition, Microsoft advertisements will fill a number of highly targeted,
category-specific ad spots in both the Switchboard Yellow Pages and SideClick,
Switchboard’s Web searching service.

“Switchboard is one of the strongest buys on the Internet because of its
tremendous reach, audience demographics, and breadth of advertising options,”
said Marty Taucher, network communications manager, interactive media group,
Microsoft.

“Microsoft is a powerful addition to our site and sends a clear message to
future prospects regarding the value of advertising on Switchboard,” said Dean
Polnerow, president of Switchboard. “Directories are one of the most effective
ways to target advertising on the Web. We are pleased that Switchboard’s
advertising business model continues to be reinforced by top tier companies
like Microsoft.”

Switchboard claims 40 million searches each month and said it is among the 12
most active Web destinations, according to Media Metrix, the PC Meter Co.