Microsoft Host Sponsor for Third Annual New York "Ten Awards" Gala
Ann Fudge, Young and Rubicam Chairman and CEO to Keynote Event
New York, NY, November 14, 2005

The Executive Council of New York today announced that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) will be Host Sponsor for the New York Ten Awards™, an annual awards recognizing ten leaders in the greater New York business community who have most significantly impacted business innovation through technology.

Award winners were announced last evening at the "Ten Awards" Gala at Gotham Hall. The Executive Council, along with this year's winners, will be opening the NASDAQ on the morning of Monday, October 25.

"This year's winners direct some of the most prominent large and emerging growth companies in the NY metro area, and have demonstrated leadership, integrity, community involvement and business acumen within their organizations and throughout the community at large," said Bob Johnston, president of The Executive Council of New York. "It is our vision that by following the example of the winners, innovation and inspiration will continue to be the cornerstone of the New York business community."

2004 "Ten AwThe New York Ten Awards is the only recognition of its kind for local leaders who have made contributions that impact not only their individual businesses, but their industries as a whole. We are pleased to expand our strategic partnership with the Executive Council by serving as host sponsor for the Ten Awards for the third year running,” 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.”

“An early and active supporter of the Executive Council, Microsoft has long been a champion of New York business and the local community,” said Robert Johnston, president of The Executive Council. “By partnering with us to celebrate the achievements of this group of luminaries, Microsoft continues to provide leadership and inspiration by example.”

Ann Fudge, Chairman and CEO of Young and Rubicam Brands will deliver the “Ten Awards” keynote address at a special “Ten Awards” gala dinner to be held on November 29 at Cipriani Wall Street. Ann serves on the Board of Directors for General Electric and the Harvard Board of Overseers, and the Board of Governors of the Boys and Girls Club of America. She is also a member of the Committee of 200 and The Council on Foreign Affairs.

For more details on Executive Council Ten Awards sponsorship and the “Ten Awards,” visit www.execcouncil.org.

About The Executive Council 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 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.

Contact Jen Knecht, Weber Shandwick 212.445.8173 or jknecht@webershandwick.com