Businessonmain.msn.com Offers Tips and Tools For Small Businesses

Sprint Collaborates with MSN to Launch Website Which Features Original Video Series', 'Cool Runnings' and 'Business Fantasy Camp'

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--Sprint (NYSE:S) will debut a new online destination, www.businessonmain.msn.com, in collaboration with MSN and Mindshare. The site is designed to help small business owners exchange ideas, gain actionable knowledge from business experts, promote their business and, bottom line, help them adapt, grow and succeed.

“Business On Main delivers what small business owners have told us they want -- a one-stop shop with tips and tools to enhance business operations and productivity, access to expert sources who can provide information that can be applied immediately, and a direct connection to interact and build relationships with other entrepreneurs,” said Tim Donahue, vice president of business marketing, Sprint. “We’re excited to partner with MSN and Mindshare to offer this unique online destination that will help small businesses be successful, especially given this challenging economic environment.”

Business on Main offers visitors --

The opportunity to post questions and receive real-time answers from other business owners in the community area, from related articles or from an industry expert who will provide personalized answers to any business problem.
A wealth of articles written by experts and sourced from leading business sites.
A unique opportunity to network with other small business owners. With a community element in place today, the community will become more robust by mid-year 2009. At that time, not only will business owners be able to set up a profile for themselves or their company and set up groups based on industries or locality, they can also get a news feed of popular articles, tools and resources in their community.
A bank of Tools and Resources offering practical ways to improve business and support owners by making life a little bit easier.
In every section of Business on Main, users can comment, share, post questions, provide advice, submit challenges and vote on the shows making the site a truly interactive experience.
“We are very passionate about this collaboration, with Sprint and Mindshare, which allows us to address the real challenges and opportunities faced by small business owners,” said Stephen Kim, senior director, MSN Branded Entertainment and Experiences Team. “Together, we have created a unique, custom experience on MSN that will deliver relevant and entertaining content as well as a forum for small business owners to grow and learn from each other.”

Businessonmain.msn.com also features original video content to provide small business owners with a unique opportunity to gain advice from business leaders and gain actionable knowledge that can be applied to their business immediately. Original programming includes --

Business Fantasy Camp – In each episode, a small business owner will spend time shadowing a mentor, who will offer on-the-fly training, tips and advice on how to tackle each business owner’s specific business challenges.
Cool Runnings - Each episode will chronicle the big ideas and trends shaping small business, and the innovative companies and people that embody success in the business world. Featured companies will be more than just balance-sheet success stories; the series will focus on fun work environments that have a buzz that makes them special.
“We are really excited to be working with Sprint and MSN to create what we believe to be a unique and invaluable resource for all small business owners, particularly in today’s challenging economic environment. Business On Main fills a niche space with its clear focus on being both solution oriented and community driven,” said Margaret Clerkin, co-head, Mindshare Invention, Sprint’s media agency of record.