Details on Zune Originals for Canada

I just met Philippe Riel from Microsoft Canada to discuss the Zune and Zune Originals. I’ve seen the seven new Zune Originals designs made by Canadian artists, and they look fabulous. The new designs will be available to Canadians and Americans on June 13, 2008. For the first three months, Canadians will get the engraving for free.

I’ve also learned that the green Zune 4 and Zune 8 will be available in Canada, but online only. Any takers?

Here’s the list of artists selected for Zune originals:

• Vicki Wong & Michael Murphy (Meomi): This Vancouver & LA team created the Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascots
• Derrick Hodgson: Known for cartoon, graffiti and contemporary design this Toronto-based artist’s paintings and drawings depict complex social spaces with both familiar and mutated characters
• Mathieu Missiaen (NDEUR): Founder of Toronto based NDEUR; a painter and graphic artist, NDEUR’s custom shoes have caught the attention of the international fashion industry
• Stephen Crowhurst: Toronto-based Crowhurst has evolved his unique visual style into moving images and was recently recognized at the Saatchi and Saatchi Showcase at Cannes
• Andrew Pommier: Inspired by the richness of skateboard graphics, Vancouver-based Pommier has used his printmaking, drawing and painting skills to design over 40 skateboards
• Luke Ramsey: Founder of “Islands Fold,” an artist residency on Vancouver Island, Ramsey creates art that doesn't always conform to gallery walls and has collaborated with over 65 artists through Islands Fold

I also had a chance to meet one of the artists, Mathieu Missiaen, and he said that Zune Originals artists have full control over the creation process. Could Microsoft do the same thing with music? They've already sponsored touring artists, but could they do the same thing with music creation?

Microsoft will do a soft Zune launch this summer, but a “back to school” marketing campaign has been created and you can expect to see more and more Zune in the media as summer comes to an end.

As promised by Microsoft last January, the Zune marketplace will be launched later this fall. The marketplace will be adapted to the Canadian market, and French and English content will be available at launch.

There's a few more pictures after the jump.

Comments

[steveballmer]

I've got something really special in mind for tha Canucks!