Microsoft Says It's Looking for TV Ad Dollars B&C

Attention Madison Ave: Microsoft wants some of the money you're currently spending to advertise on TV.

That's the word from Keith Lorizio, Microsoft's VP of U.S. digital ad sales, according to B&C.

According to the article, " 'Are we competing for TV dollars? Yes,' Lorizio said, noting that the Xbox service--which originally served as an online gateway for gamers to play one another online but has evolved into a true multimedia set-top box--is in 20 million homes worldwide, with 72% of those in the U.S."

According to story, "Lorizio also said the company is interested in a digital upfront, which would let ad buyers commit money to programming and content they believed could deliver results for the brands they represent."

B&C also noted that "The company also sells scatter ads for television networks on a CPM basis (as opposed to Google TV's bidding service), and counts NBC Universal and A&E Networks as clients."

Lorizio made his comments at B&C's Upfront Central event on Tuesday, April 6th in New York City.