30GB digital media player delivers custom music experience to Latino music fans
REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 23, 2007 — Today Microsoft Corp.’s
Zune® team announced that a Zune music player produced in
collaboration with Latin Grammy-nominated artists Wisin y Yandel, Machete Music
and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will go on sale exclusively at Wal-Mart retailers Oct.
29 for $199 (ERP). The black, limited-edition Zune will come pre-loaded with the
new Wisin y Yandel album, “Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres,” before it is
available in stores, and will also feature an exclusive track, music videos,
photos and concert footage.
“It was great working with the Zune team to create this custom device and
come up with cool ways to promote our new album via their digital music
platform,” said Edgar Andino, Wisin y Yandel’s manager. “Connecting with fans
digitally is really where music is going, and we’re psyched to have this
opportunity.”
The idea to work together resulted from a chance meeting between Wisin y
Yandel’s management and Zune executives at a summer concert. Shortly afterward,
Wisin y Yandel visited Microsoft’s headquarters to meet with the Zune music
marketing team and discuss design concepts for the limited-edition Zune 30GB
device.
“Wisin y Yandel are currently one the biggest Latin groups out there, so we
are excited to have them customize a Zune device and offer exclusive content to
their fans,” said Javier Farfan, multicultural marketing manager for Zune at
Microsoft. “Working together like this has helped us to connect Latino music
artists with their fans.”
The new Wisin y Yandel Zune is being introduced as the band prepares to
release its new album on Nov. 6. The collaboration between Microsoft, Wisin y
Yandel, Machete Music and Wal-Mart includes the following:
| • |
A black limited-edition 30GB Zune device in customized Wisin y Yandel
packaging. The Zune player has a 3-inch color display and can hold up to 7,500
songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. |
| • |
Wisin y Yandel’s 19-track new album, “Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres,”
videos and an exclusive new single comes pre-loaded on each device before the
album is released to the general public for purchase. |
| • |
Exclusive retail distribution at Wal-Mart through 330 locations
nationwide |
| • |
A comprehensive artist page on Zune.net |
| • |
Exclusive Wisin y Yandel content promoted and made available through Zune
Marketplace |
| • |
An artist of the month feature with MSN® Latino. including an
exclusive interview and site content |
| • |
Game with Fame fan opportunity with Xbox LIVE®, exclusive behind
the scenes of the making of “Sexy Movimiento” and the “Sexy Movimiento”
video |
“It’s very important to let Latino audiences know they can trust Zune to
deliver the music and digital experiences they want to tune into,” Farfan said.
“Working with Wisin y Yandel, we have taken an innovative and authentic step to
connect with Hispanics.”
The limited-edition Zune will go on sale exclusively at Wal-Mart retailers
Oct. 29 for $199 (ERP) and is available for pre-order at http://www.zune.net/wisinyyandel.
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, the Zune Marketplace online store, and Zune Social, a
beta online community Web site created to help people discover music. 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.
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.
