Zentropy Partners has won the account to develop Microsoft's
business websites, ousting Zinc from its position on the computing
giant's new- media roster.
The agency pitched against an undisclosed number of agencies to land the
account, which includes the development of business-to-business,
business-to-partner and education channels on the microsoft.com UK site.
Zentropy will develop the website in conjunction with AKQA, which
retains its place on a roster of two.
Zentropy is one of the corridor companies included in the
McCann-Erickson Worldgroup, whose ad network, McCann-Erickson Worldwide,
was awarded Microsoft's £290 million global ad account in March,
stripping the £7 million UK account from Euro RSCG Wnek Gosper,
whose parent company, Havas, also owns Zinc.
"We're very excited," Zentropy's managing director, Alastair Duncan,
said. "Microsoft is one of the biggest brands in the world and its
endorsement is significant. The internet is the most targeted
communications channel for business and we look forward to building on
the existing platform to deliver tangible benefits to both the end-user
and Microsoft."
Alongside the business brief, Zentropy will be asked to help simplify
navigation around the Microsoft site.
"It was essential that we selected an agency that is not only used to
delivering multiple complex projects but can also provide insight,
creativity and technical excellence," Microsoft's online marketing
manager, Jennifer Esty, said.