REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zune, Microsoft Corp.'s
end-to-end music and entertainment service, today added 46 new designs from
leading artists to its customization Web site, http://www.ZuneOriginals.net,
for the holiday season. For those looking to customize a Zune player for
themselves or as a personalized gift this holiday season, the new Zune
Originals designs include a Zodiac Series featuring exclusive artwork of
Eastern and Western astrology from Catalina Estrada and Iosefatu Sua. An
expanded line of regular Zune players, popular Zune accessories and Zune
Marketplace gift cards are also available for purchase through
http://www.Zune.net just in time for the holidays.
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"Zune Originals infuses pop culture, style and art into digital
entertainment to help consumers turn their Zune into a personal statement,"
said Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at
Microsoft. "We're excited to add beautiful new designs from these incredible
artists and to introduce them to a broader audience."
In the Zune Originals online design studio, consumers can customize a Zune
by choosing artwork and adding personal text that is laser-etched on the Zune
player they choose. Zune is refreshing its Zune Originals Artist Series,
adding 12 new eye-catching designs from artists such as these:
-- Dalek. This graffiti artist works extensively in both fine arts and the
skateboard industry.
-- Motomichi. A graphic designer, he is known for his widely exhibited
animation and live video mixing.
-- Daniel Jackson. This artist and DJ from Surface to Air, the creative
art collective made up of artists from Paris, Barcelona and New York, produces
cutting-edge designs for everything from clothing to jewelry to skate decks.
In addition to the new Artist Series designs, Zune Originals is also
introducing the Zodiac Series, its first themed collection of designs that
features 12 Eastern (Chinese) astrology signs created by Iosefatu Sua, a
recognized Seattle artist and member of the Zune internal design team who
creates street art with a Polynesian flair, and 12 Western astrology signs
created by Catalina Estrada, a Colombian artist best known for her use of
symmetrical patterns and vibrant colors.
"Zune encouraged me to create designs for the Zodiac Series according to
my own artistic interpretation of the signs. It's wonderful to work with a
partner that supports self-expression, whether or not it's through a
conventional art form," Estrada said. "Between my work and that of the other
truly talented artists available in the Zune Originals collection, Zune users
can create a player that is unique and meaningful to them."
Other featured Zune Originals artists include Kenzo Minami, Alex Trochut,
Alvaro Arteaga, Emil Kozak, Ippei Gyoubu, Kate Moross, Maya Hayuk, Siggi
Eggertsson and Robin Nishio. Playlists from each artist that reflect his or
her personal taste in music will also be available for download in the Zune
Marketplace.
With the updates to the Zune.net Web site, popular Zune partner
accessories such as speaker dock stereo systems from Altec Lansing, iHome and
Kicker are available for purchase. The Zune Gears of War 2 Special Edition
120GB player as well as Zune Pass and Microsoft Points gift cards are also
available for purchase. The Zune Pass gives subscribers access to millions of
songs for $14.99 per month, while Microsoft Points can be redeemed in the Zune
Marketplace to purchase songs and albums individually, as well as music videos
or TV shows. Microsoft Points can also be used in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.
More information on Zune and related images are available at
http://www.zune.net/press.
About Zune
Zune is Microsoft's music and entertainment brand that provides an
integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line
of portable digital media players, elegant software, the Zune Marketplace
online store, the Zune Social online music community created to help people
discover music, and the ZuneOriginals.net customization Web site. Zune is part
of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company's
software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital
entertainment space. More information can be found online at
http://www.zune.net/en-us/press.
About Zune Originals
Zune Originals is the premium Zune purchasing experience. It's an online
design studio where consumers can customize Zune players by choosing the color
and size of their device and selecting exclusive artwork and text that can be
laser-etched onto the back of the device. Artwork in the Zune Originals
collection is available in three series: Artist Series, Zodiac Series and
Tattoo Series that feature designs from world-famous artists. Visit the Zune
Originals design studio at http://www.zuneoriginals.net.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
