AfterDawn: News

Microsoft will sponsor free concerts to promote Zune

This morning, Microsoft announced that it will be sponsoring a series of free concerts over the course of July and August in an effort to promote its Zune media player.

The events, collectively called "Zune Live at the BBQ" will include several popular hip-hop acts and the tour will begin in Los Angeles in 3 days. There is a Chicago tour date set for July 22nd and a New York City tour date planned for August 4th.



A few of the confirmed artists are Common, E-40, Bilal, Collie Budz and Mos Def. Microsoft noted that there were more acts still being confirmed and that fans should be in for a few surprise acts.

"It's a way to show our appreciation to the hip-hop community for its support of the Zune brand and to bring the music to life for fans," Zune marketing chief Chris Stephenson said.

Source:
BetaNews

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Jul 2007 14:35

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• 12 comments

• tucker001

  Zune sucked at launch Zune will suck now and Zune will suck after this!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go iPod

  9.7.2007 15:05 #1

• thegrunt

  Nice,promote the Zune now and come out with the new ones for the holidays.Might pick one up

  9.7.2007 15:11 #2

• AXT

  the zune is like a brick, no style whatsoever. (Although it does have some cool features the ipod does not). Redesign seriously needed, but once again the new ipod video looks really cool with it's iphone incorporated technologies and i doubt M$ will be able to beat apple with the new zune.

  9.7.2007 15:21 #3

• navi1199

  these guys will do anything to sell their products.
  
  Spend money to make money =P.

  9.7.2007 16:33 #4

• SamNz

  Originally posted by navi1199:these guys will do anything to sell their products.
  
  Spend money to make money =P.so true
  i have only one thing to say go creative!!!! lol
  but good PR M$

  9.7.2007 16:51 #5

• ChromeMud

  If Apple sold fluffy i-Slippers, the general public would be
  queing for them 'til spring next year....kinda sad really but
  thats fashion for ya....

  10.7.2007 04:27 #6

• squidge37

  From a marketing standpoint this is actually a great idea

  10.7.2007 12:15 #7

• SamNz

  Originally posted by tucker001: Zune sucked at launch Zune will suck now and Zune will suck after this!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go iPod*cough* FANBOY *cough*

  12.7.2007 13:20 #8

• salsa36

  I think that it's cute that they (microsoft) try to compete with the Ipod.

  12.7.2007 15:03 #9

• ChromeMud

  Well I think it's important for companies to compete with Apple
  otherwise the prices of ipods and such would be much higher as they would monopolise the market.
  There are a lots of alternative products that are technicaly superior
  but less fashionable that I'd rather buy at this time.

  13.7.2007 02:17 #10

• borhan9

  Interesting Market ploy by Microsoft here. I have to say those artist are ok but u will need some bigger headliners than those mentioned.

  16.7.2007 23:43 #11

• tolech

  i agree ipod is the best our of all mp3/mp4 players forget all the other eubbish ones also i have to say apple are the best gadget company and you know that come on the iphone, ipods and other varites of them, the macbook and desktop pc they are jsut the best. cnt w8 until iphone gona be sick when it comes out in the uk.
  
  GO APPLE
  

  tl

  17.7.2007 10:09 #12