MS Picks Ad Firm for Pink

Microsoft has picked the ad firm that will represent its "Pink" smartphone interface, sources said Wednesday. AdWeek hears that a contract bid has been won by McCann Erickson's TAG group, trumping others. The leak doesn't include any details of what "Pink" involves but adds that McCann already handles advertising for Windows Mobile, supporting the phone connection.

The project is currently assumed to be a superset of the upcoming Windows Mobile 7 platform that would add elements of the Zune interface and significantly improve the operating system's support for music and video. Microsoft has openly signaled that it intends to spread the Zune concept to smartphones and is under pressure to close a large gap between its own software and Apple's. Much of Windows Mobile 6.5's media foundation is still based on software dating from Windows Mobile 5 and has led companies like HTC to build their own replacement apps.

It's now suggested by a leak to ZDNet, though, that Microsoft has just one phone maker tapped to produce phones based on the initiative and that it's likely to be either Motorola or Sharp, either of which has worked with recent Microsoft acquisition Danger on producing Sidekick messaging phones. "Pink" may involve interface choices similar to what exists on Sidekicks today.

A launch for the specific interface still hasn't been dated, but Microsoft is still understood to be rushing Windows Mobile 7 in an attempt to avoid the delays that also hurt Vista and could have shipping devices in stores by April.

By Electronista Staff

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industry, gadgets, software, Zune, Microsoft, Windows Mobile, Sidekick, Danger, mobile phones, Pink