Bangkok--29 May--Hill & Knowlton Contest aims to promote the Sripatum University’s new School of Digital Media; wining designs available to download and use with Windows Live Messenger Sripatum University and MSN Thailand have conducted an MSN Theme Pack Design Contest to promote Sripatum University’s new digital media school as a center of excellence in learning about digital arts, animation, and game development. The winning designs from the contest, which were announced on 27 May, are available for the public to view and download from now until June 15, at http://digitalmedia.spu.ac.th or from the dedicated tab on Windows Live Messenger. Theme packs, downloadable collections of background images, display pictures, emoticons and winks (animated files) allow users of Windows Live Messenger to personalize the look and feel of their instant messenger (IM) communications. In this contest, participants were required to design their own, unique theme packs featuring branding to represent Sripatum’s recently launched School of Digital Media. Criteria included ability of the designs to convey the image of the faculty and creativity. “With digital arts, animation and gaming becoming increasingly important global industries, it will be important for Thailand to build its expertise in these areas. I hope that the inspirational designs created by the participants in this Theme Pack Design Contest will inspire more students to study digital arts,” said Kamon Jirapong Ph.D., Associated Dean, The School of Digital Media, Sripatum University. “In Thailand, Windows Live Messenger has over 3.7 million unique users, 61% of whom are aged between18-34. With such a strong following amongst young Thai people, we believe that this online contest will help Sripatum University raise significant awareness of their new faculty,” said Kamolpat Swaengkit, National Sales Manager — Thailand, Microsoft Digital Advertising Solutions. “Furthermore, the fantastic designs will provide Thai users of Windows Live Messenger with even more ways to personalize their online communications,” Kamolpat added. The contest winner was Praew Losakulphong while the runners up were Mr. Nakprot Audomsin and Ms. Nita Boonchai. All winners received trophies, certificates and cash prizes.Caption 1. Praew Losakulphong (center), the winner of MSN Theme Pack Design Contest, poses with runners-up at the recent awards ceremony. 2. Praew Losakulphong, the winner of MSN Theme Pack Design Contest poses with her trophy. 3. One of the creative winning designs from the MSN Theme Pack Design Contest, jointly organized by MSN Thailand and Sripatum University.About MSN and Windows Live MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx. For press only: Suphada Jaidee Hill & Knowlton Thailand Te0-2627 3510 Email: [email protected] Jamie Rowland-Jones Hill & Knowlton Thailand Tel: 0-2627 3501 ext 206 Fax. 0-2627 3545 Mobile : 08-18292106 Email: [email protected]