Microsoft and NDTV Media have commenced advertising on Facebook in India through its new advertising platform, which was launched in India in February 2008.

The ad platform was launched initially with the existing Microsoft properties under the MSN and Windows Live Brand as well as three leading publishers - Bollywood Hungama, Equity Master, and HDFC Sec to simplify digital advertising and create a larger eco-system connecting advertisers and publishers.

Facebook, a social networking site, is the new service that has been added to the platform.

Microsoft has been the exclusive seller of advertising inventory for Facebook in US and certain International markets. It will now provide display, rich media, contextual and video advertising solutions for Facebook in India.

NDTV Media, the exclusive sales partner for the Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, will bring advertisers to Facebook.

"We believe there is a huge market for social networking and internet services in India and a bigger opportunity for advertisers to reach out to specific target audiences," said Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions India Head Rajnish.

NDTV Media, the exclusive sales partner for the Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions, will bring advertisers to Facebook.

Added NDTV Media COO Niraj Dutt: "We believe this ad platform will bridge the users of Facebook and the advertisers in India by bringing relevant advertising to them. We are extremely excited to be the sole representative of display inventory on Facebook and other partners that are a part of the MDAS Platform in India."

Facebook continues to experience strong growth both in India and international markets; 59 per cent of Facebook's users are outside the U.S.

Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions is a set of global advertising products and services designed to effectively connect advertisers with their target audiences across multiple digital touch points.