• June 29, 2004

Microsoft Corp.'s MSN today announced 30 finalists in contention for the second annual "Emmessenny Awards" recognizing creativity and excellence in the online advertising space. MSN chose the finalists from among 280 entries, nearly double the amount from last year. Agencies including Carat Interactive, Digitas, Euro RSCG, and TribalDDB, were among the entrants into the competition. The winners will be announced at the Emmessenny Awards gala on August 3 in Manhattan. A complete list of the campaigns that made the cut as finalists can be accessed at http://advertising.msn.com/ contest/.

MSN will award a Best in Show prize for the best overall entry, along with first- and second-place awards in three categories: Branding, Direct Response and Rich Media, based on creative execution, innovation and effectiveness. The Best in Show winner will receive $25,000 and the Emmessennys trophy. First-place winners of each of the other categories will receive $10,000, and second-place winners will each receive $5,000.

In addition to the online awards competition, MSN recently debuted a new program to support online creativity among traditional agency creative departments called "Creative Connection. The program recruited creative powerhouses from Deutsch, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and Wieden & Kennedy and offered them free reign and media on the MSN Network to develop unique online campaigns for clients of their choosing.