Microsoft's customer magazines and supporting website provide an integrated channel for Microsoft partners to reach a captive audience of technology buyers and influencers. The publications have been published for over ten years and provide a unique opportunity for partners to promote their solutions and services. They offer an unrivalled return for a partner's marketing spend through opportunities to generate brand awareness, customer loyalty, leads and competitive advantage.
2. Connected – your gateway to a captive audience
For over ten years Microsoft’s customer magazines have provided a unique channel to
access a targeted audience of technology buyers and influencers.
hroughout this time Microsoft partners have reported promote your solutions and services within three key vertical
T a return on investment from their participation, industries.
measured not just by compelling lead generation
statistics, but also through improved brand awareness, This positioning paper provides you with the information
customer loyalty and competitive advantage. that you will need to make an informed decision about
how you can leverage these valuable marketing tools to
Finance on Windows, Retailspeak and Prime are informative maximum effect. For Microsoft partners these products Brian Scott
and respected publications that provide an effective offer an unrivalled return for your corporate sales and VP WW Industry
opportunity for you to go-to-market alongside Microsoft to marketing spend. Microsoft Corporation
Customer magazines – our suite of Microsoft magazines OnWindows.com – offers a single source of news, Partner Guides – acknowledged as one of the first points of
focuses on key verticals, giving customers in each industry information and resources about Microsoft and Microsoft- reference to find solutions and services from Microsoft
the knowledge and insight that will help them maximise the partner technologies in the enterprise. For end-customers partners, the guides are essential for technology decision
value of their investment in Microsoft and partner already using Windows or those planning to do so, there is a makers and influencers. Selecting the right IT solution is an
technologies. wealth of information about how Microsoft and its partners exacting task. It’s crucial to choose the right supplier, so it
are helping businesses in industry. pays to tread carefully. Any time that can be saved in this
Each magazine offers incisive, expert commentary on the process, assisting in the successful selection, can have a
issues that matter, helping customers understand how to As the online home for the magazines and partner guides, positive impact on the bottom line.
plan their IT strategy. OnWindows has a unique community of users seeking
solutions and services to help them extend the return on From a supplier’s perspective, a presence in the guide offers
All partners have an open invitation to use the magazines to their investment in the Windows platform. For partners the a fantastic opportunity to go to market alongside Microsoft
communicate company news, customer successes and site provides a valuable channel to distribute product news, and participate in a successful lead generation programme
thought leadership. case studies and thought-leadership. by getting on to more long-lists.
3. Better together – integrated sales & marketing
Microsoft’s customer magazines, OnWindows.com and the Partner Guides are proven sales and marketing tools fully integrated
www.OnWindows.com
into global activities, providing Microsoft partners with an integrated channel to reach a captive and influential audience.
Unrestricted by the natural
page limitations of the
magazines, OnWindows was re-
Industry teams Microsoft offices Business teams Product groups Customer campaigns
launched in Q2 FY09 to provide
Under the direct leadership Engages with 88 worldwide Access to industry knowledge Associates with Microsoft Collaborates with campaign
Microsoft customers with access
of the industry teams, the offices – the industry and expertise is extended groups for insight and owners to align messaging
to a vast repository of Microsoft
Website, magazines and magazines are distributed to through Microsoft teams, messaging: and publish thought-
partner news, case studies and
• Information Worker
partner guides are integrated senior decision makers and including: CMG, customer leadership:
resources. Connected to
• Server and Tools • Sales
into the full sales and influencers in each country and partner account
Microsoft.com, the site provides
• Client • Finance
marketing mix, playing a key and access local thought- managers, analysts and
partners with an entry point to
• Online Services • Optimise & secure your
role in Microsoft customer leadership and content. public relations.
a massive global audience.
• Mobile and Embedded
communications. core infrastructure
• Microsoft Business • Optimise your business
Industry magazines
Solutions productivity infrastructure
Customers
The magazines were created as
• Applications platform
a channel for partners to go to
optimisation
market alongside Microsoft to
• Security & reliability
promote and sell their
• Business productivity
Windows-based solutions and
• Customer acquisition &
services. They have evolved to
retention
provide a unique point of
• Business solutions (ISV)
access for partners to leverage
the broader audiences achieved
Partner ecosystem Microsoft events
through the full mix of sales
The magazines are available
and marketing activity.
to delegates at all major
Microsoft events:
Industry partner guides
• CEO Summit
With over 600,000 partners
• CIO Summit
worldwide, the task of short-
• Tech.Ed & IT Forum
listing and selecting the perfect
• Global Account Summit
partner can be an exacting one
• Convergence
for industry customers.
• Enterprise Partner Summits
Developed to highlight key
• Worldwide Partner
partners that provide industry
Conference
www.Microsoft.com Publishing Partners Third party connections
specific solutions and services,
With over 120 million users Microsoft.com is one of the top Microsoft is proud to Key third parties provide
the partner guides have
three visited websites in the world. It draws content and collaborate in the production enhanced profile, credibility Additional event presence:
become an increasingly useful
• Briefing Center
resources from the magazines and OnWindows.com to of the magazines and partner and reach:
method of reducing the time
• Industry analysts
extend the audience and impact of these resources to guides with a number of key presentations
associated with a successful
• Industry associations • Product launches
deliver further value to participating partners. Reciprocal partners who play a pivotal
market review.
• Industry exhibitions • National events
links drives business and industry visitors to role across the entire
• Industry conferences • Microsoft & partner events
OnWindows.com to complete the cycle. publishing process.
4. Engaging with industry decision makers
For ten years Microsoft’s customer magazines have been engaging with enterprise customers to share insights
and thought-leadership about the topics that are at the forefront of industry discussion and debate.
Alex Meek Dr Peter van Manen Phil Barratt Dilek Duman Kevin Turmore
IT Director, The Pier Group MD, McLaren Electronic Systems Group Telecommunications, L'Oreal CIO, DenizBank MD, Unity Trust Bank
Spring 2008 Summer 2007 Spring 2006 Spring 2007 Winter 2006
Asgrimur Skarphedinsson Piero Poccianti David Lester Pim Van Der Horst Russell Bower
CIO, Kaupthing Bank Head of IT, Monte dei Paschi di Siena CIO, London Stock Exchange CIO & Director of ICT, KAS Bank IT Business Services Manager, Jewson
Summer 2007 Spring 2008 Spring 2006 Autumn 2008 Summer 2008
Roberto Scotti Uwe Tontsch Andreu Purroy Peter Baxter Jon Mitchell
CEO, Bolzoni Auramo Group, Head of IT, Bosch and Siemens Hausgerate IT Manager, La Caixa Head of IT Services, Threshers Senior Project Manager, Towergate
Autumn 2008 Autumn 2007 August 2007 Spring 2005 Summer 2008
5. Aligned – addressing the issues
The editorial direction and features of Microsoft’s customer magazines map directly on to Microsoft’s Customer Campaigns to
“Prime delivers keen insights on
the business issues that are play a significant role in communicating thought-leadership and solutions to address current industry challenges.
challenging our customers across
the sector.”
Microsoft industry groups Microsoft Customer Campaigns Cross-company collaboration & support
Ruediger Dorn
Managing Director, WW Pharmaceutical,
Microsoft
“Risk management, regulatory
compliance and controls is a
business imperative for our
customers and a key theme for
Finance on Windows.”
Sai Sireesh Pachava
WW Director, Risk & Compliance Solutions,
Microsoft
Customer challenges Microsoft’s three business divisions
“Retailspeak delivers the store
collaborate with the industry teams
systems thought-leadership that
through six of the product groups in the
our customers need.”
publication of the magazines. Their role is
David Dobson
to provide editorial strategy, direction and
WW Industry Solutions Manager,
Microsoft thought-leadership to ensure the content
meets the high standards that our readers
“These publications are a key
have come to expect.
component of our go-to-market
strategy with Microsoft to our
Editorial priorities
shared customer base.”
Anne Greenwald
European Business Development Director,
Dimension Data
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
• Business insight • E-commerce • Mobile retailing • Merchandise management
• Enhanced marketing • Property management • Achieving multi-channel success • Guest experience
• Keep customers coming back • Back office and delivery • In-room entertainment • Store systems
• Risk analytics and reporting • Advisor platform • Agent/broker services • Core banking round table
• Branch front office • Customer performance & insight • Regulatory compliance & control • Customer knowledge
• Mobile banking • Virtualisation • Payments • Business intelligence
• New product development • Customer insight & engagement • Supply chain strategies • Corporate control & compliance
• Energising performance • Sustainable operations • Design collaboration • Factory of the future
• Unified communications • Driving SAP revenue and value • Regulatory compliance • Performance management
6. Business value marketing – reasons to spend!
Microsoft’s customer magazines and supporting website reaches a combined audience of hundreds of thousands of technology
Why participate?
decision makers. The power and influence of this captive audience provides a compelling return on investment.
1 High return on investment –
regular partner feedback
qualifies this claim
2 Unique – Microsoft's customer
magazines and associated
Brand awareness Customer loyalty
media
Decision makers and influencers Existing customers are reassured
3 Joint go-to-market – at every significant financial that they made the right
established as a channel for services organisation, retail and purchasing decision when they
partners and Microsoft to go- hospitality business and see participating partner
to-market together manufacturing company get coverage in Microsoft’s customer
Microsoft’s magazines. The magazines, leading to customer
4 Widely read – rigorously
resulting familiarity of partner satisfaction and loyalty. These
controlled circulation to
brands within this captive benefits are extended in repeat
Microsoft customers and
audience brings immeasurable deals when opportunities to up-
prospects
benefits. sell and cross-sell are leveraged.
5 Captive audience – eagerly
awaited by an influential
audience with high pass-on
stats
6 Large market – received by Microsoft and partner
Lead generation Competitive advantage
every significant technology joint marketing
According to 86 per cent of With over 600,000 active
decision maker in each market marketing directors, print Microsoft partners, competition is
advertising is still acknowledged fierce. Microsoft’s customer
7 Low price – low cost per
as being the most effective magazines provide the partners
thousand , options to suit every
method of generating new looking for an edge with an
size of budget
business leads, understandable opportunity to go-to-market
as 96 per cent of board directors alongside a trusted brand and
8 Editorial profile –
read customer magazines. enjoy the inherent marketing
opportunities to extend and
Participation in Microsoft’s benefits that result. This generates
enhance your profile beyond
customer magazines includes a significant awareness and
traditional advertising
online presence to overcome enquiry advantage over non-
9 Production values – high any doubt. participating competitors.
quality brand, essential reading
10 Shelf life – readers likely to
retain, reuse and share This partner model is differentiated positively for Microsoft, and it’s one that’s ultimately going to be
throughout the year
tested in the market: can we exceed, continue to exceed, beating customer expectations?
Simon Witts, speaking at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008
7. Finance on Windows
Finance on Windows is an established voice in today’s financial services arena, bringing the expert
opinions of technology partners and industry analysts to a growing audience of decision makers
or almost ten years, Finance on Windows has been the authority on the use
F of Microsoft software in the EMEA financial services sector. The magazine
covers a broad range of topics such as the evolution of financial services
delivery channels, core banking, the development of payments systems, the
insurance value chain and enterprise risk management and compliance. In
addition to our team of in-house journalists, experts from all areas of the industry
contribute to the editorial content of the magazine.
Finance on Windows lets Microsoft partners reach out to a targeted audience of
customers and prospects by joining in discussions of the issues that matter.
Finance on Windows
Susan Hauser Partner Guide
VP WW Financial Services Industry Group
Microsoft An essential guide for financial
services technology users in
EMEA, this unique publication
has been acknowledged as the
“As a Microsoft partner, Finance on Circulation analysis first point of reference to find
Windows provided an excellent venue to
Windows-based solutions and
promote our company and product and Geographical split EMEA 83%
services from Microsoft partners.
N&CA 11%
build brand awareness internationally.”
Apac 4%
Mickey Goldwasser
Latam 2%
In addition to a comprehensive
VP, Product Marketing & Communications,
Open Solutions Inc. directory of partners, readers
will also benefit from a series of
“A valuable, top class resource for
thought-leadership articles
Microsoft partners to address the Vertical industry Capital markets 21%
analysing the most important
Microsoft customers community. We Insurance 28%
challenges and solutions in the
greatly appreciate the professionalism Retail banking 39%
and dedication of the team.” sector. They will also have access
Technology 10%
Other 2% to customer evidence explaining
Paolo Cattolico
how solutions have been
Marketing Information Management,
HP Software implemented and the benefits
reaped by financial services
Job description CEO (or equivalent) 6%
“This unique targeted magazine reaches
providers.
CIO 18%
the audience we’re after. The high-quality
COO/CFO 6%
publication helps us to bring our BDM 48%
From a supplier’s perspective, a
message across cost-effectively.” TDM 19%
presence in the guide offers a
Other 3%
John Powers
fantastic opportunity to extend
President,
brand awareness and get onto
Digipede Technologies Print run 10,160 (2008 average)
more shortlists.
8. Prime
With its eyes on the global manufacturing industry, Prime offers unrivalled opportunities to
discuss the latest technologies, and to engage with existing and potential customers
rime has rapidly become the authoritative source on Microsoft software
P and services for manufacturing. The magazine explores the key issues
facing firms in the manufacturing industry today; from product lifecycle
management and the supply chain, to plant floor visibility and lean
manufacturing. Prime also provides a round-up of industry news, case studies,
commentary, interviews and analysis.
Created as a channel for Microsoft and partners to collaborate and deliver a
compelling joint-sales proposition, Prime has achieved tremendous success and
sits at the core of our sales and marketing activity.
Prime Partner Guide
Charles Johnson
Manufacturing organisations of
WW Managing Director, Manufacturing
Microsoft every kind are increasingly
recognising that Windows and
other Microsoft software and
tools can give them the agility,
“Prime has a unique and cost effective Circulation analysis scalability and expertise they
value proposition, giving us access to an
need to support growth and
influential audience and enabling us to Geographical split EMEA 66%
enable them to take advantage
articulate our own strengths in aligning N&CA 19%
Apac 9%
with Microsoft technology.” of the many opportunities
Latam 6%
Kathleen Regan emerging in the sector. A key
Director of Strategic Alliances,
strength in this area is
Wonderware Business Unit of Invensys
Microsoft’s ecosystem of
“Since 2003 our business has benefited solution providers, who apply
Vertical industry Automotive and Industrial 13%
from the marketing power that Microsoft’s the knowledge, support and
Pharmacutical 11%
customer magazines deliver. It’s easy to High Tech 27% guidance that manufacturing
recommend these magazines to any Oil and Gas 7%
companies need to make sure
company that has a Microsoft-based Utilities 11%
solution or service, because they work.” they gain maximum benefit
Consumer Goods 18%
Other* 13%
Matthes Derdack from their use of technology.
*includes aerospace, chemicals, metal and mining
Managing Director,
Derdack
The Prime Partner Guide
Job description CEO (or equivalent) 4%
“Prime works for us on every level and provides a respected source of
CIO 15%
also provides our customers with a clear information about a wide
COO/CFO 5%
demonstration of the close relationship
selection of partners operating
BDM 41%
that we have with Microsoft.” TDM 29% worldwide. It has become a
Jan Larsson Other 6%
valuable and informative
EMEA Marketing Director,
Siemens PLM Software resource for our customers
Print run 13,201 (2008 average)
around the globe.
9. Retailspeak
Retailspeak provides an engaging and informative window on the retail and hospitality markets, with the latest news
and opinions on how Microsoft and partner technologies are enabling this dynamic industry.
etailspeak provides its readers with a quarterly digest of features,
R commentary and case studies focusing on the significant challenges faced
by today’s retailer and hospitality business. Written by a well-informed
team of journalists and with supporting contributions from a range of thought-
leaders, an insightful and balanced view is assured. Microsoft’s popular and
highly regarded customer magazine has won a captive and influential following.
What makes Retailspeak so special for Microsoft is the way that this publication
has been embraced by many of our key partners who continue to report great
feedback about their participation.
Retailspeak Partner Guide
Paula Paravecchio
From hotels to department
EMEA Managing Director, Distribution & Services
Microsoft stores, the retail and hospitality
sectors face pressure to attract
and retain customers, increase
productivity, grow profits and
“The benefits are clear and proven. For Circulation analysis streamline processes while
us, the magazines are a main
justifying investment in
cornerstone in our Microsoft-focused Geographical split EMEA 76%
technology. The Retailspeak
go-to-market strategy.” N&CA 16%
Apac 5% Partner Guide provides a
Andreas Rohnfelder
Latam 3%
Director Technology Partner CM SA TP
definitive collection of
Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
companies working alongside
Microsoft in these sectors, and
“Microsoft’s Retailspeak provides an ideal
platform for us to communicate with our showcases technology solutions
target audience and share best practices. Vertical industry Food & drug 33% and services on offer to our
Our continued association is assured due Mass merchandise 11%
mutual clients and prospects.
to the quantifiable business benefits that Speciality 27%
Hospitality 22%
we achieve from this initiative.”
Other 7%
For our valued retail and
Joachim Pinhammer
Marketing Director - Retail hospitality partners, I
Wincor Nixdorf
wholeheartedly recommend that
“The editors at Retailspeak have an you ensure your company is
Job description CEO (or equivalent) 7%
unusually deep understanding of retail CIO 24% listed in this publication – the
and software – they put our unique COO/CFO 6%
benefits are clearly articulated in
solution in front of retailers and Dynamics BDM 37%
this information and more than
TDM 21%
Partners with stunning results for us.”
Other 5% justify the expenses associated
Tom Keane
with each of the options
President & Co-Founder,
NitroSell Print run 10,080 (2008 average) available to increase your profile.
10. OnWindows.com
New product and service launches, customer successes, the latest thought-leadership and market insights are “Our PR and AR activity with
partners in 2008, through these
released every day by Microsoft partners. OnWindows.com is a great place to go to keep in touch.
channels, was particularly
successful and we look forward to
working with you to emulate our
achievements in 2009.”
OnWindows.com is the centrepiece of our joint-
Wendy Grover
marketing suite of products. Originally conceived in 2003
WW Director, Industry Press & Analyst Relations
and relaunched in Q2 FY09, site traffic is growing daily as Microsoft
word spreads. For our partners, this resource provides an
easy opportunity to go to market alongside Microsoft to
showcase solutions and services to a captive audience.
Your proactive engagement with this site will reap returns
– while you might not observe the initial gains of getting
a story placed, a white paper uploaded or your partner
page updated, an ongoing effort is a wise investment of
sales and marketing time.
Brian Scott
VP WW Industry
Online Partner Guide
Microsoft
The OnWindows.com partner
guide today comprises over 600
partner microsites. These
dynamic microsites provide
visitors with contact details,
Demographics and statistics
corporate and industry-specific
Engaging with Traffic source Search engines 64%
overviews of participating
Direct traffic 27%
OnWindows.com partners. The partner sites are
Referring sites 9%
enhanced by drawing partner
News Resources Partner Directory E-mail Newsletter specific news, case studies and
resources from the main site.
Make sure that the editors of the three Submit an entry form for your free Regional demographic EMEA 56%
Entry level participation is
magazines are on your press and PR microsite and then work with your Tudor N&CA 32%
mailing lists and highlight any stories that Rose partner manager to maintain this currently free of charge – with
Latam 4%
Apac 8%
you’d particularly like to get published on dynamic addition to your existing online only a little time and effort
the site. presence. All of your news and resources
required to quickly join a
published on OnWindows.com are tagged
growing number of partners
Send in case studies, white papers, video to your microsite to keep it current.
who are already benefiting from
Statistics
presentations and any other appropriate
Unique visitors 15,662
resources to extend the reach of your Sign up to this monthly round-up of the accessing a growing community
Page views 28,873
customer success stories, market research most exciting news and resources featured of end-user decision makers.
Total visits 18,410
and thought-leadership reports. on OnWindows.com and look out for the
Viewing time 00:02:22
top rated stories and resources that you may
have contributed during the month.
11. Get yourself noticed!
The opportunities to differentiate yourself and get noticed go way beyond those offered by traditional publications.
Participation options
Go to market alongside Microsoft and other strategic partners and start to realise the benefits of participation today.
onWindows.com
Home page banner £900/mth
Home page button £650/mth
Section page banner £450/mth
Section page button £200/mth
Magazines
Publishing Partner £8,950
Sponsor £3,600
Double page spread £6,950
Full page colour £4,250
Half page colour £2,600
A4 single sheet insert £3,250
Other inserts £poa
Bellyband £3,750
Partner Guides
Publishing Partner £2,500
Sponsor £1,250
Enhanced entry £750
Extended entry £250
Online entry free
Partners and
Series discounts are available for
multiple bookings.
Please email Paul Simpson on
paul.simpson@tudor-rose.co.uk
to explore additional options to
promote your company through
these products.
Common customers — Shared opportunity
“We’re in it together, and yet at the same time you’re always pushing us to do better, to bring our A-game, to really
have the technologies, the business plans, the partner programs that are going to allow you and us to succeed.”
Steve Ballmer, speaking at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008
12. Proven solutions – quantifiable gains
In 2008 over 2,500 Microsoft partners have been featured in the OnWindows branded customer collateral. “The return on investment that
Partners that have played a proactive role in extending their profile using these unique sales and marketing tools have partners are recording speaks
realised a return on their investment that has exceeded their expectations. volumes about the success of
Retailspeak. These results, the
business value to Microsoft and
the positive feedback from our
customers successfully completes
Predisys Dassault Systemes the triangle of expectation that
“We noticed an immediate rise “Leveraging Microsoft’s we set for the magazine.”
in traffic to our Web site, publication was a natural Nina Groothuijzen
including companies that move for us because Prime WW Marketing, Distribution & Services
Microsoft
would have been difficult to has reach into all our
reach otherwise.” prospects and customers.”
“The Prime Partner Guide provides
Ari Pihlajavesi Isabelle de Cidrac
an excellent source of information
President & CEO, Marketing Director,
about a wide selection of partners
Predisys Dassault Systèmes
operating worldwide.”
Charles Johnson
Managing Director, WW Manufacturing,
Microsoft
Fiserv
K3
“If you are using Microsoft
“[Finance on Windows is] a
“We’ve been delighted to see
technology and want to
highly respected publication
that the magazine has communicate to our customers I
that is thoroughly entrenched
enhanced our profile with urge you to use this magazine for
in one of our target markets.”
existing sales prospects.” your marketing purposes.”
Patrick Millard
Nigel Stephenson Andrew Longstaff
Director,
Marketing Manager, EMEA Financial Services Industry Marketing,
Fiserv CBS Worldwide
K3 Microsoft
“By leveraging Microsoft's
collaboration technologies,
partners can continue to provide
our customers with the most
Profitbase
LS Retail innovative and powerful solutions.
Engage with Prime to
“Retailspeak delivers on all
“The feedback we have had
communicate how your solutions
levels, giving us an easy
from Microsoft, our partners
are helping manufacturers
decision to make when
and our customers has all connect operational systems,
planning our annual sales and
been very positive.” helping the entire manufacturing
marketing spend.” organisation work and react.”
Carsten Wolff
Director, Rune Vatnamot Günter Rester
LS Retail VP Marketing, Director Manufacturing PLM solutions,
Profitbase Microsoft Corporation