MSN signs deals for rich media ads

Not to be outdone by rivals, Microsoft's MSN on Monday inked deals to run rich media advertisements from two technology companies that have also formed alliances with online portals Yahoo and America Online to deliver catchy Web promotions. The Redmond, Wash.-based company partnered with Eyeblaster and PointRoll, which together display rich media ads that include interstitials, or ads appearing between pages; expandable banners; and animations that move atop Web pages.

The ads, which already appear on MSN's U.S. sites, will be sold on 12 MSN channels, including CNBC on MSN Money, MSNBC and the MSN Carpoint online automotive service. The company said its deals with Eyeblaster and PointRoll, its first with outside parties for advertising technology, improve on those with other online portals because MSN will help advertisers reach a wider audience, including international markets in the future.