Microsoft to rename MSN to MSN Media Network?

Posted on Wednesday, February 08 2006 @ 22:46 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck

SeattlePI reports Microsoft may change the name of its MSN website to MSN Media Network. This move would allegedly be aimed at distinguishing the MSN website as more of a media portal, as Microsoft changes its MSN Messenger, MSN Hotmail and other services to the Windows Live name.

Meanwhile, the reports are raising an interesting discussion: What's the value of the MSN brand name, and is Microsoft moving away from it too hastily as it shifts to the Windows Live brand? Greg Linden sums up the issues well in this post:

With Microsoft slapping the Live label on everything and its mother and promoting the Windows Live brand as the future of Microsoft's web effort, I'm not sure what happens to the existing MSN properties and well-established MSN brand.

Will MSN Search become Windows Live Search? Will MSN.com redirect to Live.com? If not, will Microsoft try to maintain two brands, Windows Live and MSN? Where is the dividing line? What is the difference? Will users understand that difference?

About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.

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Re: Microsoft to rename MSN to MSN Media Network?
by Anonymous on Thursday, February 09 2006 @ 3:03 CET

MSN focusing on content? Sure it sounds good with Yahoo, AOL et al offering online original programming, but Microsoft has to be extra careful if it is serious about doing this - they've tried it before and ended up closing most of it down due to lack of acceptance - and selling off what they didn't shut down to boot. Examples are Slate (sold to WaPo), Expedia (spun off, became part of Diller's IAC) and Mungo Park (closed down completely). We can only hope that if Microsoft does offer podcasts, blogs, etc. that only MSN offers a la Yahoo and AOL, that it has learned a few things since its first attempts back in the 90's.

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