Microsoft aims to become the third largest online advertiser in Russia by 2011, according to a local report. However, in providing services through its msn.ru portal, it will face strong competition from several well-established players including Rambler, Mail.ru and Yandex. Although still dwarfed by more conventional media such as TV, the Russian online ad market is growing rapidly and likely to be worth in the region of $1 billion (€683.4 million) in 2011.
