Microsoft has signed a deal with Global Hyatt to put hotel adverts on Verizon Wireless phones, part of a bid to turn around its shrinking advertising business by expanding beyond personal computers, a Bloomberg report said. The Hyatt ads are intended to encourage people to sign up for a frequent-guest programme, as well as let them book rooms and check in using their phones, said Charles Johnson, Microsoft’s general manager for mobile media.

Microsoft’s advertising division mostly sells ads for viewing on PCs and is hoping a move into mobile will enable it to narrow Google’s more than 8:1 lead in digital ad sales. Microsoft signed an exclusive deal to sell ads on Verizon Wireless’ phones earlier this year. Verizon is the US’ biggest mobile operator and provides phones with Microsoft’s search pre-loaded.