SAN JOSE, Calif., July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the BlogHer Conference in San Jose, Calif., MSN and Be Jane Inc. announced the availability of the ultimate in online lifestyle enhancement and do-it- yourself home improvement content for women, "Be Jane" on MSN(R) ( http://bejane.msn.com/ ). Be Jane on MSN will launch on Wednesday, Aug. 2, and is the second original content channel developed as part of the MSN Originals initiative announced earlier this year.
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Be Jane is the leading online community and multimedia provider servicing women's home improvement and "do-it-yourself" (DIY) marketplace -- offering content across all media platforms including the Web, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, book publishing and new emerging media.
Among the inaugural offerings of MSN Originals, this content is developed in a unique collaboration between MSN and Be Jane and comprises a broad range of original video episodes and clips, animated tutorials, articles, message boards, and blogs that help inspire, educate and entertain the enormous audience of women interested in home improvement.
"We are so pleased to be reaching MSN's huge audience with our message that women can achieve incredible results when they believe in themselves and their ability to transform their homes," said Eden Jarrin, CEO of Be Jane. "We want to empower women of all ages to try their hand at doing-it-yourself."
Available Wednesday will be exclusive, innovative "Be Jane" programming tied to the theme "First Impressions," which provides step-by-step assistance on projects ranging from painting a garage door to building a fence to fixing holes in drywall. A new theme with new content providing home fix-it and improvement topics, tips, and tricks will be introduced on MSN every month.
"Be Jane is changing the face of home improvement by providing engaging and informative content for a rapidly growing audience," said Rob Bennett, general manager of Entertainment and Video Services for MSN. "We're thrilled to work with Be Jane as part of our MSN Originals program to demonstrate the unique possibilities of the Internet as a storytelling medium."
MSN Originals: Storytelling for the Digital Age
MSN Originals is an initiative focused on working with the best and brightest creative minds in the media industry to bring the new generation of storytelling online. This exclusive original programming combines video, interactive community features and rich editorial content to deliver unique entertainment experiences that will be deeply integrated throughout MSN.com, including MSN Lifestyle, Windows Live(TM) Spaces and MSN Video. The first MSN Originals offering, "Fan Club: Reality Baseball" ( http://fanclub.msn.com/ ), debuted on July 11, 2006.
By working with the media industry to produce original content, MSN is creating rich new opportunities for advertisers to integrate into and around the content itself. In addition to traditional display and streaming video advertising opportunities, advertisers can take advantage of in-content product integration, as well as be deeply involved in the early states of content creation and production. Information about MSN Originals can be found at http://originals.msn.com/ .
About Be Jane Inc.
Be Jane Inc. is the first online community and how-to resource serving the more than $50 billion women's home improvement market. The company, established in 2003, is the leading developer of multi-media content, and can be found across all media platforms including the web, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and new emerging media. Be Jane is designed specifically to assist women's home improvement consumers -- the fastest growing segment of the "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY) category. For more information about Be Jane, please visit http://www.bejane.com/ , or contact company representatives at 323-465-5005.
About MSN Video
MSN Video is one of the largest video-only streaming services on the Web, watched by more than 11 million unique users per month. In addition to streaming news, entertainment and sports video clips from more than 45 content partners including "The Today Show," FOXSports, MSNBC, JibJab and Fox Entertainment Group, MSN Video presents a broad array of live events to online audiences worldwide. More than 50 top advertisers support MSN Video, which is available to consumers at no charge. MSN Video is available on the Web at http://msnvideo.com/ to consumers in the U.S. MSN Video is also live in Australia, Canada, Japan, and the U.K., and in Spanish in the U.S.; the service also is in beta testing in France.
Overall, MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and Windows Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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