The deal, which marks the first time Microsoft has ever sponsored a UK TV programme, begins this evening at 6pm and runs for three months. It also ties in with the 20th anniversary of the cartoon series and is the first technology company to sponsor the show. The specially created Bing adverts, which show family members using the search engine, will appear on Channel 4 and Channel 4 +1, before and after each episode, as well as during the advertising breaks. The sponsorship is part of a major advertising push Microsoft has invested millions in to try and increase the amount of people using Bing. In October 2009, Microsoft had to pull its sponsorship of another popular US cartoon series, Family Guy, because the show’s offensive content “did not fit with the company’s brand. It had been due to sponsor a special Windows 7-themed episode but pulled out of the agreement after previewing the show. Last night Microsoft’s first TV advert promoting Bing went live last night during the Manchester United versus AC Milan match. The 30 second advert’s tagline, ‘Bing and Decide’, is aiming to show consumers how Bing is different to other search engines – and functions more as a ‘decision engine’. The spot show people suffering from ‘information overload’ and then the ways in which Bing could help solve that problem. Microsoft is trying to position Bing as a search engine which can offer more organised search results through features such as 'categorised search' and an enhanced search experience because of its “richer” aesthetic look across its home and search results pages.for further: www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/7422320/Microsofts-Bing-sponsors-The-Simpsons.html
