PEPSI AND MICROSOFT GETTING IN HOLIDAY SPIRIT
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based companies Pepsi Cola Ltd. and Microsoft Inc. are teaming up for a North American holiday promotion offering rebates on Microsoft CD-ROM titles. The offer is being rolled out in stores this week. By collecting proofs of purchase from Pepsi, 7Up, Mountain Dew and Dr Pepper products and filling out a rebate form, consumers can get a $10 rebate on Microsoft CD-ROM titles. Thirty-second TV spots and point-of-sale materials are supporting the promotion. The TV ads feature Pepsi holiday ornaments coming to life to drink Pepsi. The characters were developed by Pixar, the animators of Disney's Toy Story. The ornaments will be featured in Pepsi's POS material as well. The promotion will also run on the Pepsi World Web site, where visitors can enter a sweepstakes to win Microsoft products, Pepsi screensavers and holiday e-cards. BBDO Worldwide of New York, prepared the ads. BBDO's Toronto office localized the ads for Canada. Some Microsoft CD-ROM titles include: Encarta 97 Encyclopedia, Deadly Tide, Hellbender, Picture It! and Monster Truck Madness.