Microsoft Announces New Advertising Initiative

(andPOP) - If you're one of the 155 million users who chats with friends online using MSN Messenger, prepare to be interrupted with even more ads.

Microsoft Corp. announced this week a new advertising initiative to put targeted ads in the faces of users using the MSN Messenger 7 application. In addition, MSN Spaces, Microsoft's blog service, will also feature more advertising.

Adidas and Volvo have already signed on for advertising spots, with more companies expected to follow shortly.

Microsoft's decision to start actively pursuing advertisers comes after many years of giving away useful services free of charge and building a strong userbase.