TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/27/13 -- Today Microsoft and Dx3 announced the launch of the Microsoft Advertising Xbox Challenge, a brand new industry competition taking place live at Dx3 2013. Competing agencies will develop and pitch a fully immersive digital campaign using MSN, Xbox, Skype and other Microsoft Advertising platforms for Movember, the global charity that raises funds and awareness for men's health.

How the Microsoft Advertising Xbox Challenge works:

--  Invited agency teams will be briefed on the morning of March 6, 2013 at
    Dx3 following a keynote address by Benjamin Palmer, co-founder and CEO
    of Barbarian Group. 
--  Agency teams will have approximately 27 hours to respond to a creative
    brief developed for Movember Canada's 2013 campaign. The response must
    utilize Microsoft Advertising digital advertising platforms including
    Skype and Xbox. 
--  All work will be presented in random order to a team of judges the
    afternoon of March 7th. 
--  The creative director of the winning agency will win a trip to the 2013
    Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, in Cannes, France June 16 to June 21,
    2013. Other members of the winning team will take home an Xbox and
    Kinect prize pack (maximum of four prize packs available to be won with
    an approximate retail value of $350 each).  

"We're excited about the launch an initiative of this calibre at Dx3," said Ron Tite, Content Curator, Dx3. "Not only does Movember make the world a better place through their work driving awareness of prostate cancer and male mental health issues, they are also a brand that truly inspires creativity. I'm personally looking forward to seeing the ideas."

"This initiative brings Toronto's creative agencies together in friendly competition for a great cause," said Lynne Clarke, Marketing Director, Microsoft Advertising. "We're looking forward to seeing how each agency approaches the challenge as well as the creative opportunities available on Microsoft's platform and hope our audience is as excited as we are."

About Dx3:

Dx3 Canada is Canada's digital trade show serving digital marketers, advertisers, and retailers. The second annual event will take place March 6-7, 2013 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto. Dx3 Canada is organized by Hut2Hut Events. The show is free to attend for all pre-registered visitors. For more information, visit www.dx3canada.com.

About Microsoft Advertising

Microsoft Advertising provides advertisers and publishers with media, tools and services designed to drive deep and profitable engagement with their audiences. This includes a global media network of Microsoft properties such as MSN, Windows Live, Xbox LIVE, and partner properties such as WSJ.com and Verizon. The Microsoft Advertiser and Publisher Suites simplify planning and management of campaigns and content, offering a range of services that help advertisers and publishers untangle the complexities of digital media and get more out of their marketing and content investments. Microsoft Advertising makes buying and selling media simple, smart and cost-effective across media and devices spanning 42 markets and 21 languages. Visit Microsoft Advertising for more information.