Joost Lines Up Advertisers Ahead of Launch

NEW YORK, April 26: A host of big-name advertisers, among
them Microsoft, Sony Electronics and Unilever, have come on board as
advertisers on Joost, the new Internet TV service from Skype founders Janus
Friis and Niklas Zennstrom.

According to the New York Times, Joost has signed on 30 “launch partner” advertisers
as it gears up to deliver free content from the likes of CHUM and Viacom to
users worldwide.

Nick Loria, the senior VP of global advertising sales at
Joost told the Times that the new
advertisers had signed up for a three-month trial. “There’s so much that’s not
known about how consumers will use this media. And there’s so much interest
among clients in how they will use it.”

Ten of the new advertising partners stem from Joost’s deal
announced today with the Interpublic Emerging Media Lab. The year-long
strategic relationship with Joost covers the Interpublic clients General Motors
Europe with Opel and Vauxhall, Intel, Lionsgate, Microsoft Corp., Motorola
Inc., Sony Electronics, Inc., Taco Bell Corp, Unilever's Magnum Ice Cream and
the U.S. Army.

The prices for the ads are said to range from $50,000 for
U.S. only to $100,000 for worldwide distribution, for the three-month period.
Some will be traditional 30-second spots, while others will utilize interactive
elements.