• by Tameka Kee , May 18, 2007

Chevrolet has signed on as the first global sponsor of LiveEarth.MSN.com, Microsoft's newly enhanced Web site for the upcoming Live Earth concert series.

Using video, photo galleries, and lifestyle content from publishers such as thedailygreen.com and TreeHugger, MSN seeks to foster an online community dedicated to combating the climate crisis--all culminating with the simultaneous Web broadcast of the global Live Earth concerts on July 7. In addition to providing streaming video, MSN will host interactive maps that allow users to see concert cities and venues in real time.

"Live Earth is about engaging a global audience with tools to tackle the climate crisis," said Kevin Wall, Live Earth founder and producer. "And LiveEarth.MSN.com is the only place where people can join our movement anywhere, anytime."

MSN will integrate the Chevy brand throughout the site, with display ads across linked platforms such as Windows Live Spaces, Messenger and Hotmail, where users can download wallpapers, upload videos and post blogs to voice their environmental concerns. According to Lisa Curry, senior director, MSN, Chevrolet will sponsor green content across the entire MSN network, including portals such as MSNBC, MSN Money, Autos, and Health, among others.

As part of the launch, MSN is offering site visitors exclusive access to Madonna's new Live Earth-inspired song "Hey You." The company will donate 25 cents for each of the first million downloads to Alliance for Climate Protection in support of Live Earth.