WebProNews

Digg has ditched Google as an ad provider and gone with Microsoft.
Digg and Microsoft have entered into an agreement in which they will work together to bring advertising to the Digg Web site.

The Microsoft and Digg deal is a three-year agreement where Microsoft will be the exclusive provider of display and contextual advertising on Digg. The companies have plans to also work on future technology and advertising initiatives.

"Our collaboration with Digg is about bringing our advertising technology and sales force to one of the fastest-growing sites on the Web and a true innovator in user-generated content," said Steve Berkowitz, senior vice president of the Online Services Group at Microsoft.

"We believe advertisers will welcome Microsoft and Digg's combined strengths to forge more meaningful connections online."

Digg's current adverting partner Federated Media will work with Microsoft to bring integrated programs to Digg's users and advertisers. "Federated Media has unique advertising sales assets that dovetail with our efforts, and we look forward to working with them,"Berkowitz said.

"We're now positioned to provide a world-class advertising solution that builds upon Digg's philosophy of providing a great experience for users and advertisers," said Jay Adelson, CEO of Digg.

"As the Digg audience continues to grow and diversify, we believe that this initiative with Microsoft, and the resources that it provides, will enable us to focus less on developing an advertising infrastructure and more on developing new and innovative features for the site."