Microsoft Corp. today kicked off a new global awareness campaign designed to showcase how people can explore, enhance and pursue their passions with Windows� XP and related technology -- whether that passion is music, movies, cooking or the cosmos. The international effort called "Start Something" is one of the largest and longest marketing campaigns in the Windows brand history. Using fresh, imaginative advertising, retail executions, online activities and more, the 15-month campaign celebrates the countless possibilities for Windows to bring what people are passionate about to life using the hundreds of thousands of software applications and devices that work with Microsoft� Windows XP.

"As we enter the third decade of Windows, the Start Something campaign celebrates how people can follow their dreams and pursue what they are passionate about -- from creating an in-home music studio to starting a new business or becoming the family photographer," said Will Poole, senior vice president of Windows Client at Microsoft. "Windows has evolved to integrate a wide range of applications, services and hardware in a way that has become familiar and expected as part of everyday life for millions of people around the world. We hope that people will be inspired to experience the endless possibilities available in the Windows ecosystem."