Microsoft Announces Artist of the Month

[bapenguin]

Microsoft and Epic Records (owned by Sony?!?!) have announced the Artist of the month program.

Microsoft Corp. and music giant Epic Records today announced an agreement to make available a full year of exclusive artist content and high-definition music video downloads free for all Xbox 360™ gamers. Over the next year, Xbox 360 and Epic Records will showcase 12 up-and-coming artists through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program via the Xbox Live® service, the first and only unified global online entertainment network. Through the alliance, millions of Xbox Live members can enter a monthly sweepstakes with a prize of gaming against some of the hottest musicians through the Xbox Live Game with Fame™ program.
Full Press Release Inside

I was just at an event tonight in NYC in which Natasha Bedingfield was there playing. She is the first artist of the month. I find it odd that Epic signed this deal when Sony owns them. I'll get some impressions up of the games I played for you guys in the morning.

[bapenguin]

Microsoft and Epic Records to Offer Ongoing Exclusive Entertainment Content on Xbox Live


The online entertainment network features Natasha Bedingfield as first Artist of the Month, and offers music videos and Game with Fame sessions.

REDMOND, Wash., and NEW YORK — March 16, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. and music giant Epic Records today announced an agreement to make available a full year of exclusive artist content and high-definition music video downloads free for all Xbox 360™ gamers. Over the next year, Xbox 360 and Epic Records will showcase 12 up-and-coming artists through the Artist of the Month (AOM) program via the Xbox Live® service, the first and only unified global online entertainment network. Through the alliance, millions of Xbox Live members can enter a monthly sweepstakes with a prize of gaming against some of the hottest musicians through the Xbox Live Game with Fame™ program.

Kicking off the AOM program on Xbox Live is British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield, who recently captured her second top 10 hit in the U.S. with the smash single “Unwritten,” the follow-up to last year’s top 10 hit, “These Words.” “Unwritten,” which currently holds the No. 4 spot on the Top 40 Mainstream Airplay chart, is also exploding on iTunes, making Bedingfield the No. 3 artist overall and making the single the No. 1 most downloaded pop song.

Spotlighted as one of the biggest breakout females of 2006, Bedingfield has taken America by storm since the release of her album, “Unwritten,” garnering critical acclaim and making appearances on major TV shows as “Good Morning America,” “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Last Call with Carson Daly” and the ABC prime-time hit, “Dancing with the Stars.” Her music video “Unwritten” can be downloaded free on Xbox Live starting today, and a sweepstakes later this month will award a lucky winner an opportunity to play against Bedingfield during a Game with Fame session in April.

“Our goal has always been to make Xbox Live a cutting-edge entertainment experience,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “This agreement with Epic Records offers our members exclusive artistic content directly from the source. With Artist of the Month we will be providing exactly what music-loving gamers want: brand-new, exclusive music videos that can be downloaded quickly, easily and free of charge.”

“The fusion of music and video games now plays a significant role in breaking artists and enhancing the video game experience; the cross-cultivation of the two mediums helps new games and new artists thrive together,” said Charlie Walk, president of Epic Records. “Through this alliance, Epic and Xbox show that we are in one business — exciting young adults and leading them to the art of discovery.”

Each month Microsoft and Epic will announce the new Artist of the Month along with exclusive benefits for Xbox 360 gamers around the world. Xbox Live members will be able to download featured music videos from Xbox Live Marketplace at no additional charge and watch exclusive interviews downloaded directly to their Xbox 360 system. Further, monthly Game with Fame sessions will let Xbox Live members play games with some of the world’s most renowned celebrities, as well as enter sweepstakes offering tons of cool prizes, from Xbox 360 consoles to signed CDs.

“This program really taps into the passion and excitement that surround both video gaming and music,” said Cory Llewellyn, vice president of Epic Records Digital Marketing and Promotion. “We are excited to bring our strong roster of developing artists together with Xbox Live for a variety of great experiences for consumers.”

About Xbox Live
Xbox Live is the first and only unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live connects more than 2 million members across nearly 30 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, and movie trailers, as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.

About Epic Records
Epic Records, which was launched in 1953, is one of the premier music labels in the world, and is home to artists from virtually every musical genre, including such multi-platinum selling superstars as Shakira, Matisyahu, Franz Ferdinand, Fiona Apple, and Natasha Bedingfield, among many others. Epic Records in a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

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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The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although Epic believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors beyond Epic’s control, including general economic conditions, consumer spending levels, competition from toy companies, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, the uncertainty of public response to the Epic’s properties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from Epic’s expectations.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live and Game with Fame are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For more information, press only:
Aaron Greenberg, Microsoft, (425) 706-1506, aarongr@microsoft.com
Octavia Goredema, Edelman for Microsoft, (323) 202-1909, octavia.goredema@edelman.com
Tara Melega, Epic Records, (212) 833-7707, Tara.Melega@sonybmg.com

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.

[Evil Avatar]

I was just at an event tonight in NYC in which Natasha Bedingfield was there playing. She is the first artist of the month. I find it odd that Epic signed this deal when Sony owns them. I'll get some impressions up of the games I played for you guys in the morning.

Bad Ass.

I spent my day running around doing all the things I didn't get to do because I was at Range on Tuesday & Wednesday. I can't wait to hear about what games you got to see and the Artist of the Month sounds cool.

Any word on the 100 GB hard disk???

[Everlost_MI]

Sounds great, I am anxious to read what games you got your flippers on.

[The Continental]

Further, monthly Game with Fame sessions will let Xbox Live members play games with some of the world’s most renowned celebrities

Finally, celebrities will know the joy of being called a variety of racial epithets and being told they prefer the intimate company of members of their own gender, through an Xbox Live headset.

Seriously, how bad of an agent do you have to have to get roped into this?

[Wonka]

I don't undestand why this should surprise me.

If MS and Sony both stand to benefit, why would either one of them refuse?

These are large companies with more on their mind than just videogames... Lets not forget that there is more to the economy than just the sale of games.

[Dracula-X]

Sony only has a 50% stake in Sony BMG (under which Epic Records belongs to), I might guess that came into play when this was decided.

This arrangement in all likelyhood benefits them anyway.

[Grifter]

Lets not forget that there is more to the economy than just the sale of games.

Shut up!! Your just a lieing reality fanboi...Stupid!!:rolleyes:


Seriously though what I am curious about is how they pick their "Artist of the Month"? Do they just throw darts at the months top 40 list or will Live users have some kind of say.

If it mentions somthing in the press realese sorry, I am do damn lazy to read the whole thing right now.

[JazGalaxy]

well it would be interesting for Epic records to do this for the next year and then jump tot he PS3s online service next year when it's actually out. Build a fanbase for the concept and then move it elsewhere... makes some sense I suppose.

[johnporcaro]

I was just at an event tonight in NYC in which Natasha Bedingfield was there playing. She is the first artist of the month. I find it odd that Epic signed this deal when Sony owns them. I'll get some impressions up of the games I played for you guys in the morning.

Nice to meet you at the event tonight. I have a few pics up on the Gamerscore blog (http://gamerscoreblog.com).

[copasetic]

Sony only has a 50% stake in Sony BMG (under which Epic Records belongs to), I might guess that came into play when this was decided.

This arrangement in all likelyhood benefits them anyway.
Only a 50% stake? You know that would be a controlling share. I really doubt that the rest would be owned by the same party, and if so, they wouldnt clash with sony over this. This is happening because sony doesnt care.

[Paranoia]

Well then you have Toshiba vs Sony when it comes to HD format, yet at the same time Toshiba is in partner with Sony when it comes to PS3-CELL.

[Dracula-X]

Only a 50% stake? You know that would be a controlling share. I really doubt that the rest would be owned by the same party, and if so, they wouldnt clash with sony over this. This is happening because sony doesnt care.
Sony and Bertelsman jointly own Sony BMG, 50% each. I'm not privy to just however many top execs from either side make the company decisions, but I'm not convinced that Sony doesn't care, just because you say so. The Bertelsman side could have convinced Sony this was in their best interests overall.

[bapenguin]

Nice to meet you at the event tonight. I have a few pics up on the Gamerscore blog (http://gamerscoreblog.com).

Awesome man. For those who care, here's me (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnporcaro/113579365/). I'm the one on the left with Steve Glicker from GamingSteve.com.

[Roc Ingersol]

that's funny. he looks more like a penguin than you do.