Axel Springer SE and Microsoft Corp. have announced a significant expansion of their collaboration in fields such as advertising, artificial intelligence, content, and cloud computing. This partnership aims to leverage cutting-edge innovation to support independent journalism globally.
An expanded cooperation on multiple fronts
The collaboration between the two companies, already established in adtech technology, will extend to include POLITICO, expanding the reach of the existing partnership from Europe to the United States. Both companies are also committed to developing new AI-driven experiences for their users, highlighting their mutual commitment to the principles and potential of responsible AI. Users of Microsoft Start-MSN will have access to more premium content from Axel Springer’s informative brands, and the latter will migrate its SAP solutions to Microsoft Azure.
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, emphasized the importance of partnerships in this new era of AI to preserve and promote independent journalism and ensure a prosperous media landscape. “We are optimistic about the future of journalism and the opportunities we can unlock through this expanded partnership with Microsoft,” said Döpfner.
Satya Nadella, President and CEO of Microsoft, noted that this new generation of AI is transforming nearly every aspect of work and life, including how people search for and consume content online. “Our expanded partnership with Axel Springer combines their leadership in digital publishing with the full power of Microsoft’s cloud—including our advertising solutions—to build innovative AI-driven experiences and create new opportunities for advertisers and users,” explained Nadella.
Key elements of the partnership
Extension of adtech collaboration to the U.S.: Axel Springer will adopt Microsoft Advertising as its ad server solution, expanding its existing partnership from Europe to the U.S. POLITICO will integrate Microsoft Advertising technology as an enhanced comprehensive solution powered by Axel Springer’s adtech management and optimization layer, AdLib. POLITICO will also integrate into Microsoft’s advertising network, allowing advertisers to reach a wider audience.
Driving new AI-driven experiences and monetization: Axel Springer will partner with Microsoft to pilot new AI-driven chat experiences to better inform and engage their users with Axel Springer’s journalistic content. The collaboration will also drive Axel Springer’s forays into AI, building on projects like the AI assistant Hey_, powered by Azure OpenAI Service, among others. Additionally, Axel Springer will leverage Microsoft Advertising’s Chat Ads API for generative AI monetization.
Enhanced content offerings through Microsoft Start-MSN: Axel Springer is expanding its partnership with Microsoft Start-MSN to provide users access to more premium content from leading journalistic brands such as Business Insider, POLITICO, BILD, WELT, and ONET, reaching millions of users across devices and markets.
Expansion of Microsoft Azure: In addition to extending its use of Azure AI capabilities for AI innovation, the digital publisher will also transform and migrate its SAP solutions to Microsoft Azure, the secure and reliable cloud platform, to enhance scalability, reliability, and performance across its digital infrastructure.
This expansion of the alliance between Axel Springer and Microsoft aims not only to strengthen technological development and the effectiveness of digital journalism but also sets a precedent for future collaborations between media and technology industries.
via: Axel Springer