EXCLUSIVE: Zune Scene Interviews Microsoft's Cesar Menendez
 
Can you tell us a little about your job description, what you do when you're not blogging at zuneinsider.com?
I'm on the zune marketing team, so my job is to get people to like Zune as much as I can. Right now, my big priority is planning the Zune launch this November. A lot of my job, too is talking w/ the Zune community, help answer questions, that kinda thing.
What kind of marketing strategy will the Zune have?
To quote the guy who headed up Bungie, "It will be like a cake filled w/ pies." Honestly though, so far, we've got comingzune.com, where you can get these quirky cool vids w/ cool music about Zune. We'll also have a healthy consumer advertising campaign, beginning in the next few weeks and rolling into November. The approach we're taking is centered on the idea that music is social and meant to be shared - you'll see that reflected in a lot of what we do.
What should we expect for availability at launch?
I don't have specific numbers right now, but we're confident that retailers will have solid availability, and any consumer who wants to purchase a Zune will be able to do so.
What content will be available at the Zune Marketplace, are Zunecasts on the menu?
We'll have more than 2 million songs available for people to download. We certainly recognize that podcasts are interesting to a lot of people. It's not something we'll support at launch, but it's something we're exploring.
Can the Zune be used to store and transfer data files (for example .zip files)?
Let me get back to you on that one.
What is in the future of the Zune platform, any phones or games?
Nothing to announce at this time.
Thanks Cesar!
Thank you!
(Note: Interview published Oct. 3 2006 )
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Cesar in his previous life
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