The Hindu Business Line : MSN India partners Astrolife to provide astrology content

(FROM LEFT) Mr Jaspreet Bindra, Country Manager, MSN India, with Mr Anupam Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, People Group, and Ms Marjorie Orr, astrologer, at the launch of Astrolife.com in Mumbai on Friday. — Paul Noronha

Mumbai , Dec. 15

Now MSN India can tell you your future. Microsoft's India Web portal has entered into a partnership with Astrolife.com, a People Group venture, wherein Astrolife will provide astrology-related content and services for MSN India.

"Our partnership with Astrolife will provide users with the best astrology content online and is part of MSN India's commitment to provide its users with the best online experience," Mr Jaspreet Bindra, Country Manager, MSN India, said in a statement.

Astrology spending

According to Mr Raj Rao, Business Head for Astrolife, the agreement with MSN is on a flat-fee basis. Astrolife will advertise on MSN but will not share revenues with it.

One of the site's goals is to provide NRIs with access to astrology.

There are 2,50,000 Indians living abroad whose average spend is $10,000 a year on astrology, Mr Rao said.

He estimates that only 10 per cent of that amount is spent online. MSN India's large base of NRI customers will, therefore, benefit from the tie-up.

Astrolife also welcomed Ms Marjorie Orr to its stable of over 40 astrologers. The renowned western astrologer launched her e-book "Annual Forecast 2007" at a press conference on Friday.

The book contains an overview of the year and a monthly forecast for each sign.

Tool for development

"We mean to expand the understanding of astrology," said Mr Anupam Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of People Group. "We plan to use astrology as a means and a tool for personal development."

According to Mr Rao, astrology is well suited to mass customisation and personalisation.

The site can provide the right birthstone for users or send daily emails to users based on the information they provide. Currently Astrolife.com sends out over 1,00,000 emails a day.