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Doritos gives undiscovered music act the stage of a lifetime

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doritos.pngThe Doritos brand is once again turning over its Super Bowl ad air time to its fans. But, this time there will be no ad. Instead, unsigned artists will be invited to share an original song that is, like Doritos, inspired by the musician’s passion and creativity based on his or her own bold or intense experiences. Fan votes will ultimately determine which individual singer or band wins the once in a lifetime chance to have their original music performance aired during the Super Bowl advertising time traditionally reserved for Doritos commercials.

In addition to having their “big break” on one of the world’s most-watched stages, the winner will also receive a recording deal.

Beginning October 25, 2007, unsigned artists are invited to post a video of themselves performing their own original song, as well as an audio file of the same song to enter the contest.

In December, 10 semi-finalists will be selected by a panel of judges, revealed online and consumers will vote to determine which three performers make it to the final round. Fans will then again vote online among the three finalists, to determine which music act will take the coveted stage during the Super Bowl XLII broadcast on FOX on Feb. 3, 2008 and win a record deal. The three finalists will each be awarded $10,000 and a trip to Phoenix to attend the Doritos Super Bowl party.

In addition to engaging in the fan-driven community at
snackstrongproductions.com, Doritos and music lovers alike can learn all about the rising stars competing for the Super Bowl stage through program partner MySpace. Fans can also visit MySpace’s new Super Bowl ad profile page, which was created in associations with FOX Sports and allows users to view all the ads from the Super Bowl XLII broadcast, including the Doritos “Crash the Super Bowl ” winner.

Originally posted on October 11, 2007 @ 7:39 am

Microsoft Music Store goes DRM-Free

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Microsoft became the latest and largest music retailer to offer DRM-free digital music. The announcement comes less than two weeks after Amazon.com launched its own DRM-free digital music store. The Microsoft Music Store will offer consumers more than one million DRM-free songs.

“The industry standard has shifted in the past six months and the tide has turned in favor of consumers,” Maura Corbett, a spokesperson for the Digital Freedom Campaign said. “The number of digital music retailers offering DRM-free music will soon out number those that do not, and consumers will soon live in a world where they can listen to legally purchased music when, how, and where they want. We congratulate Microsoft for joining the growing number of retailers and labels that have realized the best way to increase the sales of digital music, is to listen to their customers.”

Originally posted on October 5, 2007 @ 11:55 pm

Microsoft unveils new Zune players and community site

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aqw076.jpgMicrosoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Corporate Vice President J Allard yesterday unveiled the next generation of Zune portable media players, software and online store. Gates and Allard also introduced Zune Social, a beta online community Web site built around and powered by people’s passion for music.

Microsoft announced three new models of Zune portable digital media players: a sleek, black Zune 80GB hard-drive model, which has a bright 3.2-inch screen and comes with premium headphones (ERP $249.99; all prices are U.S.); the ultraportable Zune 4GB (ERP $149.99); and Zune 8GB (ERP $199.99) flash models, both available in pink, green, black and glossy red. The new Zune devices feature the Zune Pad navigation button, with its touch-sensitive surface. Consumers can flick their thumbs over the pad to fly through lists of songs or albums or to fast-forward through picture slide shows or videos. For those who need to pause, advance or adjust the volume on the device without looking, they can also navigate the Zune Pad using physical cues by pressing on the four sides or the center of the button to adjust the volume or choose the next track.

Launching first in beta, Zune Social, a beta online community Web site, gives people a place to share their music tastes, knowledge and experiences with others. Anyone can create a free, customizable Zune Card that automatically updates to reflect the music they are listening to on their Zune or with Zune software on their computer. The Zune Card shows most recently played tracks and highlights that person’s all-time music favorites. Other members of Zune Social can play samples of the songs a user has been playing directly from a friend’s Zune Card or link to Zune Marketplace, where they can buy or download the music. In a nod to the inherently social nature of music, Zune Social will eventually enable its members to place the Zune Card on today’s most popular social networking sites, where it will continue to update automatically and show off what its owners are listening to.

Originally posted on October 3, 2007 @ 1:00 am

Universal Music Group and BUZ Interactive partner to bring music to mobile voicemail

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umusic.jpgUniversal Music Group and BUZ Interactive today announced that they have entered into an agreement to provide BUZ users with access to UMG’s music catalog of chart-topping artists through BUZ’s breakthrough GETaBUZ voicemail messaging service. Thousands of new UMG songs are now available on GETaBUZ, the growing service that allows anyone to create a “BUZ”, a voicemail greeting that combines their voice message with their favorite music.

“We are delighted to partner with BUZ whose service is strengthening the connection between artists and fans,” stated Rio Caraeff, Executive Vice President of Universal Music Group’s eLabs, the company’s new media and technologies division. “The launch of this new mobile music product is just one example of how Universal Music is continuing to cultivate online entertainment by offering our consumers even more ways to enjoy the musical experience.”

Originally posted on September 11, 2007 @ 4:36 pm

VH1 launches Hip Hop Honors site

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hiphop.jpgVH1 gives props to hip hop with the launch of HipHop.VH1.com, the online extension of the channel’s fourth annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Beginning today, the site showcases music and exclusive content leading up to VH1’s on-air celebration, which will honor the music and influence of A Tribe Called Quest, Snoop Dogg, WHODINI, Missy Elliott, the film Wild Style and Teddy Riley and Andre Harrell for New Jack Swing.

It will be broadcast on VH1 and VH1 Soul Monday, October 8 at 10 pm. The site will also be home to sneak peek performances from the show before they air, as well as exclusive online-only performances.

In conjunction with the launch of the hip hop-focused site, VH1.com has also announced the winner of “The Score,” the channel’s search for the best up-and-coming music producer. The winner will create the official score of this year’s “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Determined by user votes on VH1.com, Antonio Gonzalez AKA “DJ Satisfaction” of Camden, NJ has been crowned the winner of “The Score.”

Originally posted on September 11, 2007 @ 11:32 am