Just a few examples of Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 ads, these running internationally.

A recent item from the Net Applications market research firm said Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 has been growing "quietly" -- noting that the company "curiously hasn't been actively marketing the new browser."

Given the importance of this Internet Explorer release, as Microsoft tries to make up ground lost to Firefox, that observation made me realize I hadn't seen many ads for the new browser. But it looks like I'm just not visiting the right types of sites.

Here's an explanation from Amy Barzdukas, Internet Explorer senior director, in response to my inquiry about about the situation.

"We have been running a wide variety of online marketing campaigns around the world. In the US, you should see the  "History of the Internet" video that we released as part of launch and there are a variety of ads on YouTube that promote both the video and Internet Explorer 8. Beyond that, we are running a very deep search engine optimization campaign across multiple search engines, banner advertising, contextual advertising, even ads on Facebook. The relaunched Internet Explorer webpage, www.microsoft.com/ie8, provides richer, deeper content to highlight the new product features. Ads and promotions from various third parties who are taking advantage of Internet Explorer 8's new features are also widespread. We've included just a few examples here, but the beauty of internet marketing is that you can, in fact, target audiences."

I stand corrected. Maybe next time the IE team should hire Lauren from the Windows ads to get me to notice.