Zune Supports Live Nation to Connect With Music Fans at Concerts Across the Country

REDMOND, WA. (Top40 Charts/ Microsoft Corp.) - Microsoft Corp. today announced that Zune(TM) will have a significant presence at 28 Live Nation concert venues across the United States this summer as part of its continuing drive to connect music fans with the bands they love. Zune will have a strong on-site presence with its Zune Spots, inviting consumers to try the devices and see the latest summer colors. The innovative Zune Spots are actually converted freight containers that have been redesigned to bring the brand to life for concertgoers.

"Being on-site at these Live Nation amphitheaters lets us build on our efforts to connect consumers with the music they love," said Chris Stephenson, general manager of global marketing for Zune. "It also presents the perfect backdrop to get Zune into the hands of consumers so people can see our summer colors firsthand and send tracks to each other via the wireless sharing feature."

Zune is also helping consumers travel to see their favorite bands live by giving them the chance to win a trip to see a Live Nation show in its Zune Zoom Away competition or a Zune 30GB digital media player. Consumers can view Official Rules and enter by visiting https://www.zune.net. In addition to the concert getaways, consumers can download Zune Zone vouchers. The first 50 people to bring the voucher to a Zune Spot will receive VIP treatment at the Zune Zone, a special area at select concerts with private wait staff and Zune lawn chairs.

New artists participate in Zune Ignition and On the Road programs

Ryan Adams steps forward in July as the newest artist to be promoted across a selection of Microsoft Web properties as part of the Zune Ignition program. Promoting free and exclusive music and video downloads from his latest album, "Easy Tiger" (released June 26 on Lost Highway Records), Adams will feature the following content on Zune Marketplace, Zune.net, MSN Entertainment properties and the Xbox LIVE Marketplace:

- "Beautiful Sorta (Live)." Available for exclusive promotional (free) download on Zune Marketplace for the entire month
- "Beautiful Sorta (Live)." Available as a stream on MSN
- "Two" (video). Available as a stream on MSN during the last two weeks of the month
- "I Taught Myself How to Grow Old" (video). Available for promotional download on Xbox LIVE

Complementing Ignition, the Zune On the Road program provides financial and tactical tour support for emerging artists. Great Northern, whose debut album "Trading Twilight for Daylight" was released last month, will be embarking on its U.S. tour July 17. A complete schedule of Great Northern tour dates can be found at https://www.greatnorthernmusic.com. Other artists supported by On the Road are CSS, Ladytron, LCD Soundsystem and MIMS.