AOL To Manage, Sell Microsoft's Display Ad Inventory In 9 Countries

(RTTNews) - AOL Inc. (AOL) and Microsoft (MSFT) on Monday announced a global, enterprise-level partnership where AOL will assume management and sales responsibility for all of Microsoft's display, mobile and video advertising inventory in nine markets -- the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Japan.

AOL will represent inventory from across Microsoft's suite of leading online brands, including MSN Homepage and verticals, Outlook Mail, Xbox, Skype and ads in apps.

The partnership also includes a new 10-year global search and search advertising agreement between AOL and Microsoft that leverages Microsoft's exceptional search capabilities to deliver innovative search solutions for consumers, advertisers and partners.

Both companies will enable AOL users to access a world-class search experience across all screens. AOL will transition to a Bing-powered search solution beginning January 1, 2016.

Commenting on the partnership, AOL President, Bob Lord said, "We have enjoyed a terrific relationship with Microsoft, and this expanded partnership is a win for both companies and our advertiser partners as our industry continues to rapidly transform and evolve."

"This deal is further evidence of the quality of Bing results and the performance of the Bing Ads marketplace," said Rik van der Kooi, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft. "And we will continue our focus on delivering world class consumer services and content and look forward to partnering with AOL to market them."