• Despite some secrecy behind Surface, Microsoft has given a variety of agencies the code base and asked them to "expand the boundaries of what is possible for engaging and relevant experience for consumers."
• Jenn Creegan, GM of display advertising experiences at Microsoft Advertising gives some visual examples in her blog post, and says they want to help brands "tell engaging stories to their customers in meaningful ways with beautiful ads in Windows 8 apps."

From the article:

Los Angeles, CA - More than two decades have passed since Microsoft first made its foray into tablet computers. Now, just two years after Apple released its first iPad, the stalwart of desktop computing finally has a vertically integrated response to Apple's runaway success. Microsoft unveiled a pair of new tablets on Monday - Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro - that will be released in the fall. In the meantime, developers, advertisers, and brands are all beginning to wonder if Microsoft will finally break the mold and create a viable third option in tablet computing.

While the company pulled out all the stops to hype up the media event beforehand, it largely failed to...