contestsTag Archive -

New In Zune Marketplace Week of May 10, 2011

Hello and welcome to the roundup of all that’s new and awesome in the Zune Marketplace for the week of May 10th – May 16th.

MUSIC

Artist of the Week: You may think you haven’t heard of the Lonely Islands, but you probably have.  Their digital shorts on Saturday Night Live are always huge hits – especially because they get celebs like Justin Timberlake and Michael Bolton to join them on their hysterical songs.  Now you can laugh whenever you’d like with their new album, ‘Turtleneck & Chain‘.

Bad Meets Evil is actually the team of Eminem and Royce Da 5’9”.  They’ve got a new single out, “Fast Lane“, and an album is in the works, too.

Our Trending Up Artist this week is Adele.  The British songstress with the smoky-sweet voice continues to climb the charts, even crossing various music genres.  If you haven’t listened to her newest album ‘21‘ yet, you’re really missing out – go get it!

Former Tony! Toni! Toné! member Raphael Saadiq is back with his latest solo effort, ‘Stone Rollin’‘.  If you like R&B, be sure to have a listen – and don’t miss him on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday night.

This week on our exclusive interview series ‘5 Minutes with Fame‘, we have alt rockers Neon Trees!  After a number of tours opening for acts like 30 Seconds to Mars and My Chemical Romance, the foursome are doing the headlining on their very own Surrender Tour.  Be sure to keep an eye on our Twitter later this week – a little birdie told me we might have some tickets to see Neon Trees to give away…

Christina Perri shot to fame by when her song “Jar of Hearts” was used on the show ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.  That led to a record deal and her first album, ‘lovestrong.‘!  She made it back to TV this week when her song was used on ‘Glee’.

This week we have an entire FREE playlist FREE for you!  Download ‘Bands You Should Know‘ and discover some awesome new music.  Who do you think will be breaking out soon? Quick recap: Sublime has reformed with vocalist Rome Ramirez after the death of Bradley Nowell, and are now known as Sublime with Rome.  The first song from their upcoming album with this new lineup is out now – what do you think of “Panic“? Have you heard what’s ‘Hot This Week‘ yet?  Download our playlist now and give it a listen! Rick Ross has a new song out now featuring Lil Wayne called “9 Piece“, and his new album will be out soon. Just in time for summer, get our ‘Greatest Reggae Albums’ collection for the best of Jamaican-inspired music!  Are there any other albums you’d add?

Other releases this week that you may want to check out – ‘Move Like This‘ from 80s icons The Cars, and ‘The Song Remains Not the Same‘, an unplugged, acoustic album from Black Label Society.

VIDEO

Want more superheroes with fabulous toys?  Then you should check out ‘The Green Hornet‘, starring masked men Seth Rogen and Jay Chou.

Something from another funny guy named Seth – this time, Seth MacFarlane and his animated hit, ‘Family Guy‘.  If you haven’t seen all the episodes, go back and grab the ones you’ve missed – you don’t want to miss a moment of the laughs!

What was your favorite new release this week?  Tell us all about it in the comments!

 

Twitter for Zune hits Marketplace today

The Twitter app for Zune HD will be showing up in the Zune Marketplace today and to celebrate we are hosting a little sweepstakes giveaway. Read the official rules below, but it’s fairly simple. Follow @Zune on Twitter (so we can DM you if you win), download the Twitter for Zune app, tweet “Twitter for Zune HD is here! Tweet from your Zune HD and win free prizes!” to @Zune from your Zune HD. Don’t have a Zune HD, borrow a friends and sign in..and send away. One entry per Twitter account only.

 

MICROSOFT TWITTER FOR ZUNE HD  SWEEPSTAKES

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the Microsoft Twitter for Zune HD  sweepstakes promotion will operate.  This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Sweepstakes” throughout the rest of these rules.

In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Microsoft Corporation, the sponsor of the Sweepstakes. “You” refers to an eligible Sweepstakes entrant.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?

This Sweepstakes starts at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on December 16, 2009, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on December 17, 2009 (“Entry Period”).  Entries must be received within the Entry Period to be eligible.

AN I ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Sweepstakes if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

o   You are a legal resident of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, 18 years of age or older, and own or have access to a Zune HD device as of December 15, 2009.

§  If you are 18 of age or older, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, you should ask your parent’s or legal guardian’s permission prior to submitting an entry into this Sweepstakes; and

o   You are NOT an employee of Microsoft Corporation or an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary; and

o   You are NOT involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes; and

o   You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a Microsoft employee, an employee of a Microsoft subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes.

This Sweepstakes is void outside of the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.

HOW DO I ENTER?

To enter, you must do all of the following:

Sign in to your Twitter account. If you do not have an account, visit www.twitter.com to create one. Twitter accounts are free.

Once logged into your Twitter account, follow the links and instructions to become a follower of Zune at http://twitter.com/ZUNE

Download the Twitter for Zune application onto your Zune HD player through the Zune Marketplace. The Twitter for Zune application is free.

From your own account, post a tweet from your Zune HD player using the following format:

Twitter for Zune HD is here! Tweet from your Zune HD and win free prizes!  Follow @zune for details #TwitterOnZuneHD

By posting this tweet, you will automatically receive one (1) entry into the sweepstakes drawing.

We will only accept one (1) entry per entrant.  We are not responsible for entries that we do not receive for any reason, or for entries that we receive but are not decipherable for any reason.

We will automatically disqualify:

  • Any incomplete or illegible entry; and
  • Any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of the entry limit described above.

WINNER SELECTION AND PRIZES

On or around the close of the Entry Period, we will randomly select winners of the prizes designated below.

Three (3) First Prizes. A Zune Premium Car Pack.  Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $79.99 ea.

Three (3) Second Prizes. A  Zune Premium Headphones.  Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $39.99 ea.

Four (4) Third Prizes. A 1 month Zune Pass.  Approximate Retail Value (ARV) $14.99 ea.

The total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all prizes: $419.90

We will only award one (1) prize(s) per person during the Entry Period.

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the Twitter account, e-mail address, the phone number, or mailing address (if any) provided at time of entry within seven (7) days following the random drawing.  If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate, randomly selected winner. 

If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Sweepstakes . If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and a W-9 tax form or W-8 BEN tax form within 10 days of notification.  If you are a potential winner and you are 18 or older, but are considered a minor in your place of legal residence, we may require your parent or legal guardian to sign all required forms on your behalf.  If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner.

If you are confirmed as a  winner of this Sweepstakes:

You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services.  However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and

You may not designate someone else as the winner.  If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and

If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and

If you are otherwise eligible for this Sweepstakes, but are considered a minor in your place of residence, we may award the prize to your parent/legal guardian on your behalf; and

Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?

Your odds of winning this Sweepstakes depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?

By entering this Sweepstakes you agree:

To abide by these Official Rules; and

To release and hold harmless Microsoft,and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won; and

That Microsoft’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Sweepstakes; and

That by accepting a prize, Microsoft may use of your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?

This Sweepstakes will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Sweepstakes.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE SWEEPSTAKES CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?

If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Sweepstakes.  This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Sweepstakes, so please play fairly.

HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHO WON?

We will post the names of winners who received a prize worth $25.00 or more online at http://zuneinsider.com. This list will remain posted one month after December 17, 2009.

WHO IS SPONSORING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?

Microsoft  Corporation

One Microsoft Way

Redmond, WA 98052

(more…)

Zune contest week 9: How many degrees of Mixview?

Have you heard Eminem’s new single, “We Made You?”

I really like it. So, for this week’s contest, let’s go Jessica Simpson to Eminem and see how far apart they really are!

And for last week, the winner who found the shortest path between Lady Gaga and James Brown was VTPlaya8701, who got there first in four steps. I’m really starting to believe this “six degrees of separation” thing.

As a reminder, here’s what you have to do to win the Zune Home A/V Pack*:

  • You can use the Zune client software or the Zune web site – click “Mixview” when you’re on the starting artist
  • You can click from the starting artist to any other artist or album that appears in Mixview – but NOT listeners (since listeners cards change)
  • You have to submit your path to the “ZContest” account via a forums private message in the official Zune forums. No other method of submitting a path will be accepted!
  • To do this, just go to forums.zune.net, search for a post by user “ZContest,” then click “Private Message” when you’re viewing the post.
  • The artists will be announced on Zune Insider (here) every Monday at 10 a.m. PST

The contest closes each week at 5 p.m. PST on Friday – so your submission needs to be in the ZContest private message box by then.

* No purchase necessary. Open only to US residents 18+. Challenge ends May 15, 2009. See full rules for details.

(more…)

Zune contest week 7: How many degrees of Mixview?

MVP indmusic dared me to do it, and I am.

Week 7 is Coldplay to Nickelback. Yup, Coldplay to Nickelback. I found a pretty short path, so I know it’s possible…and anyone who knows my taste in music knows why these choices are funny.

I’m actually on vacation today, so I haven’t been able to validate week 6′s submissions yet. As soon as I get back to the office next week, I’ll announce the winners of week 6 (Miranda Cosgrove to Black Sabbath) and week 7.

Have at it!

As a reminder, here’s what you have to do to win the Zune Home A/V Pack*:

  • You can use the Zune client software or the Zune web site – click “Mixview” when you’re on the starting artist
  • You can click from the starting artist to any other artist or album that appears in Mixview – but NOT listeners (since listeners cards change)
  • You have to submit your path to the “ZContest” account via a forums private message in the official Zune forums. No other method of submitting a path will be accepted!
  • To do this, just go to forums.zune.net, search for a post by user “ZContest,” then click “Private Message” when you’re viewing the post.
  • The artists will be announced on Zune Insider (here) every Monday at 10 a.m. PST

The contest closes each week at 5 p.m. PST on Friday – so your submission needs to be in the ZContest private message box by then.

* No purchase necessary. Open only to US residents 18+. Challenge ends May 15, 2009. See full rules for details.

(more…)

Zune contest week 6: How many degrees of Mixview?

Oh my goodness. You guys are really, really good at this.Last week’s winner, goldeneye6164, got from U2 to Rage Against the Machine in a mere three steps – U2 to the Sex Pistols to Bad Religion to Rage. Wow.

Let’s try this: I let my kids each pick an artist this week. I know it’s possible to get from the one to the other…hopefully this one will be hard!

Camille, my 5-year-old, chose Miranda Cosgrove (parents of elementary school kids, you know – Carly from Nickelodeon’s iCarly).  Gabriel, my 8-year-old rocker, chose Black Sabbath.

Have at it!

As a reminder, here’s what you have to do to win the Zune Home A/V Pack*:

  • You can use the Zune client software or the Zune web site – click “Mixview” when you’re on the starting artist
  • You can click from the starting artist to any other artist or album that appears in Mixview – but NOT listeners (since listeners cards change)
  • You have to submit your path to the “ZContest” account via a forums private message in the official Zune forums. No other method of submitting a path will be accepted!
  • To do this, just go to forums.zune.net, search for a post by user “ZContest,” then click “Private Message” when you’re viewing the post.
  • The artists will be announced on Zune Insider (here) every Monday at 10 a.m. PST

The contest closes each week at 5 p.m. PST on Friday – so your submission needs to be in the ZContest private message box by then.

* No purchase necessary. Open only to US residents 18+. Challenge ends May 15, 2009. See full rules for details.

(more…)

Page 1 of 3123»