KUALA LUMPUR, 28 APRIL 2009 – To boost its Malaysian Internet content, software giant Microsoft Malaysia has signed with local media publisher Catcha Media Group.
Microsoft general manager for online services group, Southeast Asia, Mark Inkster, said the partnership with Catcha was to strengthen its commitment to the Malaysian Internet market. “Catcha will leverage Microsoft’s existing base of more than 4.2 million MSN and Windows Live users in Malaysia to provide new content channels and increased contextual advertising opportunities.”
Catcha is an independent media investment and management group focused on media and technology sectors in Asia.
Wider variety of mobile content
“By combining the resources of the world’s largest online player and Malaysia’s largest independent magazine publisher, we will be able to offer users a wider variety of quality content and advertisers a more robust and targeted way to reach out to consumers,” said Inkster. “People are increasingly turning to the Internet for information and entertainment, whether it’s to chat with friends via e-mail or IM, visit review sites or go to branded sites and search portals for product information. They are making informed choices based on the information they have, and we believe that this will spur continued growth in the online advertising industry.”
He said Windows Live Messenger is the leading instant messaging service in Malaysia, with more than 2.7 million users. “The new venture will combine Microsoft’s significant position with Catcha’s extensive content assets to address the needs of Malaysia’s Internet users and advertisers. Malaysia has more than 14.9 million Internet users as of June 2007, representing 60 per cent of the population, growing at 10 per cent per year. Nielsen ratings expects online advertising to increase by about 10-12 per cent in the coming year.
“This partnership positions Catcha Digital to benefit from the rapid movement of advertising budgets to online media,” said Catcha group chief executive officer, Patrick Grove. “As online spending grows, users and clients want engaging, exclusive local content.”
“Catcha’s portfolio of 20 magazines offers the perfect content platform from which Catcha Digital can develop online media content,” said Grove. “It will reach more Malaysian consumers every month than any other medium, making for an exciting proposition for both companies, and allows advertisers unprecedented ability to convey their message to the target Malaysian consumer.”
