Microsoft to be Host Sponsor Of Inaugural New York Ten Awards™
New York, NY - July 16, 2003

The Executive Council of New York, a non-profit association that fosters knowledge-sharing and networking among the New York business and technology community, today announced Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) will be Host Sponsor for the association's first annual New York Ten Awards™. The awards will honor ten individuals who, through their leadership, have significantly impacted business innovation in New York and beyond—whether it is in financial services, information technology, media, publishing, telecommunications or retailing—at a special "Ten Awards" gala dinner to be held in October 2, 2003 in New York.

"We are pleased to expand our strategic partnership with the Executive Council by serving as host sponsor for an awards program that, by centering on New York business leadership and achievement, will serve as an annual milestone for the business community and our city," said Marty Cassidy, Microsoft's director of Enterprise Solutions. "As a company that has always championed innovation, it is fitting that Microsoft should join with the Executive Council to recognize the exceptional leaders who are charting the future direction of business."

"As an early and active supporter of the Executive Council, Microsoft has been a champion for business leaders of this region," said Executive Council president Bob Johnston. "By joining us to help celebrate the achievements of the best in New York business, Microsoft continues to provide leadership and inspiration by example."

All nominations for the Ten Awards will be evaluated by a committee of judges drawn from leading media companies, including distinguished representatives from Crain's, Fortune, CNBC, Institutional Investor, The Deal and The New York Times.. In addition to selecting the "Ten Award" business innovators, this panel will also be responsible for a special "Judges Award" honoring the impact of a single, outstanding civic leader.

Additional Executive Council Ten Awards sponsorship and membership information can be found on the Executive Council Web site www.execcouncil.org or by contacting the Council at 212-213-0018.

About the Executive Council of New York
The Executive Council is a non-profit organization that brings together New York's business community for the purposes of fostering knowledge-sharing and business networking in a professional environment. The Executive Council programs focus on critical business and leadership issues at the intersection of technology and business, with unique industry programs focusing on venture capital, security, and corporate governance, among others. Its initiatives and corporate members contribute to the economic prosperity of the region while fostering knowledge and information sharing, professional development and partnership opportunities for our members. The Executive Council Corporate Members range from AT&T, IBM and Microsoft to AOL TimeWarner, Citibank, and Merrill Lynch as well as many other large and emerging growth technology and financial services companies and major law and accounting firms. www.execcouncil.org

Contact:

David Eldredge The Alliant Group New York 646-495-5402 deldredge@thealliantgroup.com

Bob Johnston Executive Council 646-742-4929 bobj@nyecomm.org