Putting The Byte On Cereal Eaters

Once, the chance to get an Orphan Annie secret decoder ring was reason enough to buy a box of cereal. Today’s kids, though, are being lured by the chance to get cheap software.

Microsoft Corp. and Kellogg USA said Wednesday they are teaming up on a promotion to offer discounts on software to purchasers of 16 brands of Kellogg cereals.

The promotion offers rebates on current Microsoft software titles or gaming devices. Consumers also can get additional Microsoft software from a “special interest collection” for $4.99 and three proofs of purchase.

Microsoft hopes to use the promotion to gain attention for its holiday software offerings, the company said.

The promotion will offer discounts of up to 25 percent on 12 Microsoft software and hardware products aimed at the home market. The $4.99 software will involve another dozen titles, such as Microsoft Dinosaurs, Soccer, Gardening and the Reader’s Digest Do-It-Yourself Home Repair.