Microsoft has announced a partnership with Silverlight as of next year. Both companies are planning to join Xbox Live with Silverlight's media technology. This makes it possible for advertisers to put interactive ad campaigns on Xbox Live.

Sean Alexander, director of Microsoft's Advertising Business Group, stated this technology offers the possibility to get campaigns to four screens: tv, desktop, mobile phone and surface. The ads we'll get to see will have a similar view as those on websites.

Of course this announcement wasn't taken lightly by the community and Major Nelson found it necessary to give some more info: the ads won't be intrusive and will certainly not hurt the "Xbox Experience".
Sony coming with something like this would be understandable as their service is free. Putting ads on a payable service, however, seems less logical...

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