MSN Acquires MessageCast

The MSN® (www.msn.com) network of Internet services today announced that it has acquired substantially all the assets of MessageCast Inc., a leading provider of automated alerting and messaging technology that currently supports the MSN Alerts service.

MSN Alerts empowers consumers to receive time-sensitive information from sources such as MSNBC, Fox Sports, Xbox®, MSN Hotmail®, MSN Money and other content partners. MSN has worked with MessageCast since 2003 to make it easier for content providers to offer free MSN Alerts services to MSN customers.

"This acquisition is the natural progression of our relationship with MessageCast," said Blake Irving, corporate vice president for the MSN Communication Services and Member Platform group at Microsoft Corp.

MSN will continue to support current MessageCast customers and address their needs as part of the acquisition. Royal P. Farros, the co-founder and chief executive officer of MessageCast, will work closely with the MSN Alerts team during the transition.

"Microsoft and MessageCast have created a significant information channel for consumers," Farros said. "It's incredibly innovative and effective, leverages RSS, and the best part is the customer is totally in control. This is obviously a significant milestone, and we're very pleased to join the MSN team."

Established in 2002, MessageCast is a pioneer in creating broadcast messaging systems using real-time networks and RSS content feeds.
MSN attracts more than 400 million unique users worldwide per month.

With localized versions available globally in 40 markets and 20 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.