Maybank2u now accessible through MSN and
Windows Live
Maybank first in Asia to introduce financial
Windows Live Agent

Maybank today announced that it will expand its digital advertising initiatives across Microsoft MSN and Windows Live properties next year. This expanded alliance with Microsoft will enable Maybank to more powerfully engage with consumers across multiple digital touch points and reach its target consumers.

This latest advertising avenue augments Maybank’s other digital advertising solutions in Microsoft’s MSN and Windows Live platforms such as MSN Malaysia Portal, Windows Live Hotmail, and Windows Live Messenger.

“Customers are adopting an increasingly digital lifestyle and the amount of time spent on digital platforms is rising significantly,” said Ahmad Shareza Abdul Rahman, Vice President, Head, Virtual Banking Maybank at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur. “Broadening our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to deliver targeted messages to consumers across a diverse online network.”

To date, Maybank2u.com has over 3.8 million registered users and used by an average of 118,000 people each day. Monthly transactions average more than 24 million.

“We hope that with the expansion of this alliance, we will be able to reach more consumers within the 7.4 million-strong MSN and Windows Live community in Malaysia. Our objective is to integrate and improve accessibility of Maybank2U services to Malaysian Internet users through the various MSN and Windows Live platforms that are most familiar to users such as, as MSN Malaysia Portal, Windows Live Hotmail, and Windows Live Messenger,” explained Shareza.

A key part of this alliance includes the development of Agent-M, a Windows Live agent serving as a customer service agent to Maybank customers, and provides a convenient and easy avenue for M2U customers to get in touch with Maybank. Agent-M will also help Maybank reach over 1 million Windows Live Messenger users in Malaysia, who send 27 million instant messages every day – on desktop and mobile devices.

“This move takes our customer interaction to a higher level via digital media, enabling customers to access their banking, payment, entertainment or e-commerce needs conveniently and in real-time,” added Shareza.

Specifically, Maybank customers can download Agent-M for free at m.m2u@maybank.com.my and chat to find out about Maybank’s products and services, locate Maybank ATMs and branches, email their enquiries and participate in surveys.

Grant Watts, General Manager of Microsoft’s Online Services Group in Southeast Asia said that Agent-M is the first Windows Live agent in Asia to serve the financial sector. He said, “Maybank is demonstrating exceptional vision and bold leadership with its commitment to digital advertising. Agent-M is the perfect solution to help Maybank reach a new breed of consumers that live digital and mobile lifestyle, spending a significant amount of time online in a professional and personal capacity.”

Watts said that instant messaging is now an integral part of most people’s professional and personal lifestyle. “People use their instant messenger services throughout the day for business, as well as personal, communication. Marketers and advertisers who want to reach their consumers in the most direct, personal and cost-effective way should consider this digital medium as it complements traditional mainstream media advertising channels to generate measurable results.

“Windows Live Messenger, with more than a million users sending 27 million messages every day, clearly offers organisations significant opportunity to connect with consumers every day and all day, on any device,” added Watts.

Users can add Agent-M to their Windows Live Messenger contacts by adding m.m2u@maybank.com.my to their Windows Live Messenger contact list. Those who wish to download Windows Live Messenger can do so for free at http://get.live.com/messenger.

17 December 2007