We cant do anything these days without hearing something about social media. Were tweeting, posting, sharing and liking all kinds of content. Advertisers are intrigued and want to understand how social can elevate and impact their brands conversations. Having been in ad sales for 20 years, its clear social networks alone arent enough to tell a compelling brand story online. So, whats our advice to advertisers?

I am thrilled to announce the independent judging panel for the U.S. portion of the Microsoft Advertising Story Awards . The awards recognize and champion innovative thinking in the world of digital marketing by challenging contestants to develop a forward-looking marketing plan for a Brand or Non-profit of their choice. Joining me on the judging panel for the MSAs will be six industry luminaries. These include: Gail Tifford, Sr. Director of Media, North America,

We can't do anything these days without hearing something about "social media." We're tweeting, posting, sharing and liking all kinds of content. Advertisers are intrigued and want to understand how 'social' can elevate and impact their brand's conversations. Having been in ad sales for 20 years, it's clear social networks alone aren't enough to tell a compelling brand story online. So, what's our advice to advertisers?

What was the best day of your life? The day you got married, graduated from college, or had your first child? Now you can share your best life stories with MSN using the first ever sponsored Mosaic, which combines creativity with technology to deliver innovative storytelling opportunities. We worked with development partner Shoothill to create the Mosaic for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network as one of its first socially connected digital advertisements.

In the weeks leading up to Advertising Week, weve visited a couple of my favorite Microsoft storytellers, Jaron Lanier and Bill Buxton . With days left, Id like to introduce you to a person who helps bring those stories to life, Jennifer Creegan: As General Manager of the Brand Advertising Business Group at Microsoft,

In the weeks leading up to Advertising Week, we've visited a couple of my favorite Microsoft storytellers, Jaron Lanier and Bill Buxton . With days left, I'd like to introduce you a person who helps bring those stories to life, Jennifer Creegan: As General Manager of the Brand Advertising Business Group at Microsoft,

We're even closer to Advertising Week and I'm not only looking forward to connecting with friends and colleagues, I'm anticipating seeing some fabulous stories unfold over the few days we'll spend together in New York. What do you think will be the most talked about topic? What session will be lighting up the socialsphere? Whatever the story, one thing is for certain: the stories that stick will have to be well told. Without the harmonious blend of audience,

TELL YOUR STORY IN A WAY THEYVE NEVER EXPERIENCED Advertising Week 2011 October 3-7 New York City Advertising Week is one of the most important events for our industry. October 3-7, thousands of the worlds best and brightest come together to learn from thought leaders, connect around trends, and share stories from the field, including Microsoft Advertising.

I invite our community to watch a keynote I delivered at the IABs Innovation Days conference today. Held in conjunction with Internet Week in New York, IABs theme focused on the future of digital media. At Microsoft Advertising we believe that the future of display is NOT in the future at all. It is NOW! )Click on my photo for video highlights from my keynote address( Innovation comes from brands who embrace technological shifts to tell their stories in new ways.

We are honored to learn that today both our Microsoft Media Network and Mobile Advertising Network have been awarded with the Advertiser Perceptions Highest Rated Media Brand for Ad Network Advertiser Satisfaction as well as Advertiser Perceptions Highest Rated Media Brand for Mobile Advertiser Satisfaction in the U.S. The awards were based on the Advertiser Intelligence Reports Wave 14,

With holiday decorations going up earlier each year, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, it can be tempting to think that the peak of the shopping season has passed. However, I wanted to take a moment to share some findings with our partners and friends that clearly indicate that shopping behaviors have fundamentally changed in recent years. Many shoppers are becoming savvier,