NME to partner with Zune

I know I have been quite critical when it comes to Microsoft's new Zune player (let's face it, it's just not as good as Ipod!). But now Microsoft have done a smart move (about time?) and partnered with cool content because as MusicWeek reports Zune has partnered with UK based music mag NME (New Musical Express). NME is to offer new and classic rock recommendations for Microsoft’s Zune MP3 player, which launched this week in the US. NME will be Microsoft Zune’s primary worldwide rock content provider for Zune Marketplace, the online store for Zune.

The partnership will see Zune initially take NME content in the form of recommended playlists and features on classic NME albums. Zune lead music programmer Kyle Hopkins says, “Having NME content appear in Zune Marketplace alongside ours is incredibly exciting and will help us provide our customers a very cool and interesting perspective on music.”

Zune already sponsored the launch of Club NME at the Music Marathon CMJ in New York earlier this month and both brands will continue to work closely together on events in the future. Perhaps the reason why NME had such extensive coverage of CMJ this week - some extra money from Microsoft to send their reporters over to the Big Apple?

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