Zune Expands Internet Presence With Multiple Hispanic Digital Alliances

Zune Expands Internet Presence With Multiple Hispanic Digital Alliances

MSN Latino and Remezcla.com join Zune in strategic move to connect Latin artists with music lovers online.

REDMOND, Wash., April 8, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp.'s Zune team today announced an industry-leading collaboration with MSN Latino and partnership with Remezcla.com to be the exclusive music sponsor for each site. The partnership will bring together the most trusted, renowned and visited sites among the Hispanic community, creating a powerful tool for artists to authentically connect with online consumers. The new co-branded online platform will launch on April 15, maximizing the reach among Hispanic and Spanish-language online sites.

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The new alliance lets consumers discover new music and artists in an environment that's familiar, while giving them a convenient and consistent purchase experience through Zune Marketplace. Through the announced digital platform, Zune and these cross-promoters will gain a significant reach and breadth among the Hispanic online community.

"For artists it means getting maximum exposure through prominent sites and through a digital storefront," said Denisse Guerrero, lead singer of the Mexican electropop band, Belanova. "We're thrilled that we're able to work with Zune to expose our music to fans through various online avenues."

Belanova will have prominent placement on the Zune Marketplace homepage and be artist of the month on MSN Latino in May.

"Zune continues its commitment to Latin artists and to the Hispanic community," said Javier Farfan, the senior manager of Lifestyle Marketing for Zune. "Through these business arrangements, Zune will continue to offer Latino music lovers the artists' information and industry content they care about through Zune, Zune Marketplace and the Zune Social."

The arrangement with MSN Latino gives Zune the exclusive naming rights to MSN Latino's music channel, which will be rebranded as Zune Musica through 2009. The collaboration between Zune and MSN Latino will include all pages within the MSN Latino Zune Musica music channel including editorial, graphics, photos, in-page video, special-event coverage and sponsorships related to music, such as the Latin Grammys and Latin Billboard Music awards. Additional support provided by the Zune-MSN Latino collaboration will include a Zune-branded artist of the month and deep links into Zune Marketplace when users want to buy music of featured artists.

"We're excited to join Zune in its digital expansion," said Mike DeGennaro, national sales manager for MSN Latino. "Our site has an eclectic mixture of content, and this collaboration with Zune, musically, will only enhance our content."

Remezcla.com is a network of bilingual sites showcasing cutting-edge local Latino and Latin American cultures. Launched in New York City in 2006, Remezcla.com has established itself as the premier source for local and international trends in Latin music, visual arts, film, nightlife, current events and more. This year, Remezcla.com is expanding to markets nationwide, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco, and will partner with other online and social networking sites, such as MySpace Latino.

"Remezcla.com prides itself in introducing readers to new trends in Latin culture," said Andrew Herrera, CEO of Remezcla.com. "We are excited to partner with Zune as we both value the importance of enhancing the Hispanic online experience. As people discover new content, especially through music, they also can venture across content that interests and connects with them culturally. Partnerships like this with Zune help content on our site reach new audiences, and that's key as we expand into new markets."

Through the Zune and Remezcla.com partnership, Zune will be the exclusive portable music device and online music store for Remezcla.com users. Additional Remezcla.com resources will include exclusive content, integrated Zune branding and promotions through 2009.

Online users will be able to venture across sites, download music and join the Zune Social, which is a social networking music community. Through these partnerships Zune will play a key role in music discovery and will continue to bring Latino music lovers the artists and content they can connect with.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft's music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of wireless digital media players, the Zune Marketplace online store, and Zune Social online music community. 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 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.

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Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Ivette Zurita of Edelman Multicultural, +1-323-202-1421,
ivette.zurita@edelman.com, for Microsoft Corp.

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