Hi All,

I do so love these small little changes out there regarding Microsoft non-successes.

The Web has changed how things get done, and those changes individuals or companies make. Small steps, but hardened experiences.

As for myself I use Google Ads. From my very Linux nature nothing Microsoft will ever cross my blogs, web sites or forums.

But, like Digg I’m also looking to make a change. Great(er) minds think alike. LOL!

The partnership between Digg and Microsoft was initially supposed to last until mid-2010, but according to Mike Maser, Digg’s chief revenue and strategy officer, the two always had an understanding that Digg would at some point start selling the majority of its own ads. He added that the company’s internal sales efforts will focus on custom, non-IAB inventory combined with standardized banner ads.


This is not necessarily a sign that Microsoft was underperforming, although it’s clear Digg stands to make more money from advertising running its own sales. The move is not a surprise in that regard, and this type of switch happens regularly when websites grow enough to build their own internal sales teams.

In January, Digg hired former Yahoo sales exec Thomas Shin, its first ad sales executive, and is currently recruiting a nation-wide sales force. By the end of the year the company hopes to hire a total of five to seven reps in San Francisco, the Los Angeles area, Chicago and New York.

The full deal here.

I’ll be watching this as a designer.