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Microsoft Bows New Celebrity Site

In a strange move, Microsoft today is unveiling a new celebrity site called "Wonderwall." The new content destination (wasn't Microsoft moving away from content?) was created, designed and produced by BermanBraun Interactive, the Hollywood production company run by ex-Yahoo media chief Lloyd Braun.

Kara Swisher, for one, is impressed by Wonderwall's "slick" design and interface. The site uses an unusual horizontal design with a scrolling "wall," which Swisher says has an "iPhone feel." It will aggregate content from a variety of partners, while also employing a small staff to give the site its own unique voice. Microsoft and BermanBraun are jointly selling advertising for Wonderwall, which launches with a special partnership with the ad agency MediaVest.

"We are investing more than ever in content," MSN GM Rob Bennett says. "With Wonderwall, we are creating an offering to attract and retain new audiences, using content that is already at the core of MSN." As Swisher points out, Microsoft has a very lackluster record with content sites. She adds that social interactivity was one glaring omission from the site.

Read the whole story at D: All Things Digital »

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