Microsoft  has launched a creative storytelling contest - the Microsoft Advertising Story Awards (MSAs) which invites marketers from 30 countries across the world including India to submit a campaign idea for a brand or non-profit of their choice using Microsoft Advertising's storytelling platforms. Marketers are asked to submit a hypothetical digital media plan and creative idea for the brand or non-profit of their choice that addresses a "key business challenge" for that organization's 2012 or 2013 calendar year. 

The judging panel for India comprises industry's leading names and the contest was Split into two stages - a local heat followed by a global final, last date for submission of local entries is March 31, 2012. The winner of the India competition will advance to the global finals where two global winners will be crowned with the Global Microsoft Advertising Story Award for 2012. The winners will also be awarded an exclusive VIP trip as Microsoft Advertising's guests to the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2012 taking place from 17th to 23rd  June in Cannes (France).

Neville Taraporewalla, Country Director, Advertising and Online, Microsoft India Pvt.Ltd., said, "At Microsoft Advertising, we have initiated this unique contest to highlight the wider focus of the business, which is to help brands step back from the clutter, and put storytelling back at the heart of marketing. We strive towards providing an international platform to the enormous amount of talent residing in India and are confident that entries from India will be innovative and engaging."