Born to be Wireless

Microsoft has agreed to buy ScreenTonic, a company that specialises in delivering location-based ads to mobile devices.

ScreenTonic's platform, called Stamp, enables delivery of text or banner links on portals, ads in SMS (Short Message Service) messages and ads in mobile web pages that vary depending on where the reader is located.

The platform includes a manager component, which can handle monitoring, billing and reporting, and a server that delivers ads according to certain criteria, according to ScreenTonic's website. It also has a sales component for developing and selling ad campaigns.

The acquisition of ScreenTonic is part of a long-term strategy to deliver relevant ads to consumers, Microsoft said. ScreenTonic said it has also worked with Apple, Nokia and Nike, in addition to European telecommunications operators in the UK, Belgium and France.

Last year, ScreenTonic announced it had gained €5.5 million (£3.8m) in new funding from investors 3i Group and I-Source Gestion, while also opening a subsidiary in London.

Microsoft and ScreenTonic officials were not immediately available for comment on Thursday morning. The companies did not disclose the terms of their deal.

source: PC Advisor

Labels: acquisition, microsoft, mobile ads, screentonic