Madonna Song in Microsoft Campaign

Oct. 15 -- Madonna has conquered both the film and music world. Now she's selling computer software.

Her 1998 Grammy-winning hit "Ray of Light" is the theme song for the four-month, $200 million ad campaign for the Windows XP launch. "It's a very empowering, very positive song — about human potential," said Michael McLaren, an account director at McCann-Erickson World Group marketing company. "[It] felt like a very good fit."

Like the song, the new product is intended to empower computer users by simplifying tasks such as video conferencing.

Given the past success of "Ray of Light," it might do just the trick in helping spur sales of Windows XP. The catchy dance track revived Madonna's career in the late 1990s and carried the singer to the Grammy podium.

From Mick Jagger to Madonna

The campaign comes on the heels of Madonna's wildly successful summer tour. She will not appear in TV ads for XP, however — she saved her face for BMW, appearing in a short film for the company earlier this year. That ad was filmed by her husband, director Guy Ritchie.

As for working with the star, McLaren says it was no harder to obtain the rights to "Ray of Light" than it would be to make a deal for any other hot song.

"When you're negotiating rights of high-profile artists there's nothing easy about it," said McLaren.

Microsoft previously tapped the Rolling Stones for a new product, using "Start Me Up" as the theme for the Windows 95 launch.