Zune Originals Adds New Artwork for Canadians to Customize Their Zune
Zune online store becomes one-stop shopping destination this holiday season
TORONTO, ON. - Nov. 6, 2008 - Zune, Microsoft's music and entertainment brand, today enhanced its online shopping experience for the holiday season at http://www.zuneoriginals.ca/, expanding its accessory offerings and adding forty-six new designs from leading artists to the Zune Originals design studio. For Canadians looking to customize their Zune player or create 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. A complete line of Zune players and popular Zune accessories are also available for purchase through http://www.zuneoriginals.ca/ just in time for the holidays.
"Zune Originals aims to infuse pop culture, relevant fashion trends and art within digital entertainment to help Canadians personalize their media player," said Craig Tullett, Group Manager for Zune, Microsoft Canada Co. "We're excited to add beautiful new designs from these incredible artists and to give them exposure to new audiences."
In the Zune Originals online design studio, Canadians can customize a Zune by choosing artwork and adding personal text which is laser-etched on the Zune player they choose. Zune is refreshing its Zune Originals Artist Series by adding 12 new eye-catching designs from artists such as:
- Robin Nishio - a Canadian story board illustrator known for graphic designs
- Dalek - a graffiti artist who works extensively in both fine arts and the skateboard industry
- Motomichi - a graphic designer known for his widely exhibited animation and live video mixing
- Daniel Jackson -an artist/DJ fromSurface to Air, the creative art collective made up of artists from Paris, Barcelona and NY who produce cutting edge designs for clothing to jewelry to skate decks
In addition to the new Artist Series designs, Zune Originals is also introducing its first themed collection of designs, the Zodiac Series which highlights 12 Eastern (Chinese) astrology signs created by Iosefatu Sua, a Seattle-based 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. Estrada is a Columbian artist best known for her use of symmetrical patterns and vibrant colours, and is a previous contributor to the Artist Series.
"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 who supports self-expression, whether or not it's through a conventional art form," says Catalina Estrada. "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, and Siggi Eggerstsson.
Along with the updates to the zune.ca website, popular Zune partner accessories like speaker dock stereo systems from Altec Lansing, iHome and Kicker will be available for purchase. The Zune "Gears of War 2" Special Edition 120GB device will also be available for purchase.
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 and the Zune Social online music community, 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. More information on Zune and related images can be found online at www.zunenews.ca
About Zune Originals
Zune Originals is the premium Zune purchasing experience. It's a design studio within the online Zune store where consumers can customize Zune players by choosing colours - some of which are only available online - and exclusive artwork and text which can be laser-etched onto the back of the device. Artwork in the Zune Originals collection is available in three series, the Artist Series, Zodiac Series and Tattoo Series each of which feature designs from world-famous artists. Zune Originals players come in specially-designed, white and gold boxes. Visit the Zune Originals design studio at http://www.zuneoriginals.ca/
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at http://www.microsoft.ca/ .
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