Microsoft today announced that it has begun testing online display advertisements across Microsoft Office Live, Windows Live Mail and MSN Spaces, including ads from global companies Coca-Cola Brazil, JCPenney and Monster Worldwide. "With ad-supported software opportunities, we're able to offer great services at low or no cost for our consumers and a vast ecosystem for advertisers," said Joanne Bradford, corporate vice-president for Global Sales and Marketing at Microsoft, in a statement.

Microsoft's Windows Live projects intends to provide consumers with a wide array of free and low-cost online services, such as web hosting, email and web services.

Some 20 global marketers participating in the initial ad tests, which will help determine which ad offerings provide the best return on investment for marketers while adding value to the consumer experience, Microsoft said.

Office Live display ads are initially being tested in the U.S. (the ClickZ blog offered a peek) and immediately sold out of their available openings for beta advertisers, Microsoft said.

Windows Live display ads are being tested in MSN Spaces in Australia and Italy, and Windows Live Mail display ads are being tested in various markets, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.