In an interview, Microsoft Vice President of Global Marketing Mike Delman all but confirmed the company is seriously considering to kill the Zune brand… if it hasn’t made plans to do so already.
Zune has been in the news for some time now, but not for reasons we’re all hoping for. Microsoft has been mum on any plans to continue releasing a new Zune device since… well… ever; the last update to the Zune lineup was the Zune HD back in 2009. Late last year, rumors that Microsoft was planning to release a new Zune device early this year turned out to be untrue (though, there is still another half of the year left). And for the past couple of months, the “Zune is dead” moniker has been branded on the headlines of technology blogs.
Microsoft has repeatedly stated that it remains committed to providing Zune services to all of its consumers.
In an interview yesterday, via WinSupersite, Delman continued with that same rapport by stating Microsoft is “very committed to offering music and video and TV shows on [its] own service through Zune.”
But when asked about the Zune brandname specifically, Delman seemed to have entirely different sentiments about its commitment: “…you’re going to see us talking about ‘music’ and ‘video’ specifically… we’re coming to the realization [that] putting brands on top of brands on top of brands is not, you know… a good thing.”
“‘Music’ and ‘video’ specifically” sounds a bit like the Zune Hub on Windows Phone 7, if you were to ask us, allowing for an easier way to phase out the brand (something we made fun of in our April Fools’ Day article). During Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7.5 Mango event, though, the company plastered the Zune logo at the end during its showcase of services they’re offering through the operating system.
Read the questions and their respective answers in its entirety below.
Q: Will Microsoft’s Zune service continue building up its video and music stores, or will you be working more with partners running content stores?
We’re very committed to offering music and video and TV shows on our own service through Zune.
Q: I don’t think I heard the “Z” word in the keynote. Are you phasing out the Zune brand?
In general I think what you’re going to see is us talking about ‘music’ and ‘video.’ I think what we’re coming to the realization about is putting brands on top of brands on top of brands is not as, you know – if you want to look for music, just knowing it’s under a category (music) is a good thing.
Update: In another interview, Delamn further indicated that Xbox Live will replace the Zune Brand.
