Microsoft hangs out its Xmas stocking

Microsoft has unveiled its entire Christmas line-up with revenue from the consumer range expected to top 20% of the company's UK turnover.

A UK localised edition of Bookshelf joins obvious flagship products like Encarta 97 and Cinemania 97, all u49.99.

Slated for release between October and November, Microsoft is supporting the range with national press advertising. Encarta 97 will be advertised on TV flagging its key retail accounts. The software giant is also targeting customers through mailshot based on its own database along with on-line promotions.

Joint promotions include a tie-up with an unnamed high street bank chain for Money 97. The bank outlets will flag the product when it launches.

"Next year users will have realtime access to their bank accounts with Money 97 at the front end," said Gillian Kent, consumer product marketing manager for Microsoft.

Microsoft has also teamed up with Kodak and Hewlett Packard to promote Picture It, a u79.99 photo retouching package.

The children's range is joined by Creative Writer 2 (u29.99) aimed at an older teenage audience and CD Movie Maker Nickelodeon featuring characters from the TV network.

Microsoft will also distribute and market releases from Dreamworks Interactive, in which it has a 50% stake, and at least one title will be on sale for this Christmas.

Microsoft has posted record annual revenues and profits, once more aided by volume growth and price increases. Sales increased by 39% for the final quarter totalling $2.26 billion, with a net income of $559 million. Revenue for the year jumped nearly 50% to $8.67 billion.