• by Aaron Baar , June 30, 2009

With more people using their computers for entertainment and music discovery, Microsoft is entering into its first deal with Live Nation to promote its Internet Explorer 8 Web browser, offering exclusive content when consumers download customized browsers.

Through the agreement, Internet Explorer 8 has signed on as the presenting sponsor of Nickelback's current Dark Horse 2009. Users who download the browser from a dedicated site, www.ie8-nickelback.com, will also have the chance to download an exclusive live version of the band's single, "Something in your mouth," and will be able to view behind-the-scenes videos of the band on the road as well as specialized content from the band itself.

"The band likes it because they've got a new, cool way to get connected to their fans," says Russell Wallach, president of North American Alliances at Live Nation. "It's also good for IE8 because Nickelback has a predominantly young male audience to put IE8 in front of."

A different customized version of the browser is tied to Live Nation's Bamboozle festival, which will include access to behind-the-scenes artist interviews from festival bands such as: All Time Low, 3OH!3 and We the Kings. Some of the new features of the Internet Explorer 8 browser -- such as tools to help fans find local on-sale dates and showtimes without having to navigate through several pages -- fit well with Live Nation music promotion business as well, Wallach says.

"Our customers have told us that entertainment is one of the big draws for being online, and they want a browsing experience that makes that content more personal and easier to access," said Amy Barzdukas, general manager for Internet Explorer at Microsoft, in a statement. "We are excited to work with Live Nation to provide an exclusive entertainment experience for our customers that builds on the unique features of Internet Explorer 8."