Meet the Ovi Music Team that will rock Nokia World 2010!

Hi, all!

Is everyone excited about Nokia World 2010 approaching? We certainly are! As the event is getting closer (only one more week to go, y’all!), the packin’, organizin’, schedulin’, flight-bookin’ bonanza here at Ovi is heating up! Every team is doing their part so that we’ll have the best Nokia World ever in history, and one of those teams is the Ovi Music team. We all sit relatively close to each other here in Nokia House in Finland, so I figured I’ll bother them at their most busiest moment (because that’s what I do best) and ask them some incredibly insightful questions about how they’re preparing for this year’s Nokia World. I asked them a) what are they looking forward to most at NW and b) what music are they listening to when preparing for the event. Here are some of the answers I got!

What are you looking for most at Nokia World?

Steven Stewart, Senior Manager, Ovi Music, says, “I think people are going to be surprised with how truly amazing the new devices are. It’s so satisfying to see Nokia creating a new generation of “do-it-all” phones that you will lust after. Fast, sleek, sexy, and powerful. Pictures don’t do them justice. Once I held them in my hand and had the full experience, I didn’t want to let go. My biggest problem now is deciding which of the many phones to use as my main device! Right now, the Nokia N8 has a hold on my heart, but others are fighting to show me why they should be the one in my pocket.”

He continues, “The new features of our Ovi Music platform will also be fun to demo – improved search and multi-browser support… even for Mac users, with no heavy SW download needed to buy DRM-free mp3 music to use on whatever digital music players you want. I’ve said before in interviews that Ovi Music Unlimited has completely changed the way I get and listen to music, so it makes me happy to turn on the light and show what an enormous value it is.  And of course, there are lots of killer music apps we are showcasing, including the innovative location and music taste based Gig Finder. So please do drop by in Nokia World and let me share my passion about how Nokia makes it easy for you to fall in love with music again!”

Anna Tuomi, Senior Marcom Manager for Ovi Music, adds: “I SO agree with Steven! I’m personally looking forward to the buzz and energy in the experience lounge! We will be rocking the house with the all-new Ovi Music as well as the new music apps – with the latest smartphones such as Nokia N8 as well as X3 Touch and Type, together with the new accessories like the brand new Nokia Mini Speaker MD-11.”

Dean Pattrick (self proclaimed “King of Rock”) from Ovi Music will be running through the music related apps during Nokia World. Dean comments: “Gig Finder is just the tip of the iceberg, just wait and see the way that Nokia Music Explorer, Artist Apps & Shazam have been integrated to our Ovi Music service”. He continues: “If pushed I would say my favorite is Artist Apps, as it’s a really cool way for the fans to keep tabs on all their favorite artists.”

Martta Valkola, Manager, Customer Marketing said, “I’m anxiously waiting for the groove and bustle at the entertainment area of Nokia World 2010! I’ll be there to showcase cool music related apps on some of the latest Nokia devices, like the Nokia N8 – my personal favourite.”

What music will you be listening to before and during Nokia World this year?

Steven says that he loves female singer/songwriters, so while he’s working this week, he’s listening to Ellie Goulding, Eliza Doolittle, Jonatha Brooke, Imogen Heap, Stephanie Mabey, Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, Annie Lennox & Sara Bareilles. While doing demos at Nokia World, he usually plays upbeat songs that make him groove and make you want to sing along. Steven wants you to “be afraid, because I will dance and happily belt out at the top of my lungs “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics or Michael Buble’s awesome James Bond-esque version of “Cry Me A River” if things start feeling too business-like”. He adds, “so much of what we are doing in music is a blast, so even though its serious business, we have fun doing it”.

“London Calling by the Clash will be my ultimate ‘getting-ready-for-London’-tune!”, exclaims Anna.

“The tracks that will warm me up for Nokia World will be: Chase and Status’ ‘Let You Go‘ plus David Guetta’s ‘Memories‘”, says Dean.

Martta says that while she’s preparing for Nokia World, she stays energized by listening to Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” and Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP’s “We no speak Americano“.

Jan Bonnevier, Senior Marcom Manager, continues, “During the event we will definitely play ‘Let me entertain you‘ by Robbie Williams and ‘We will rock you‘ by Queen”.

Now, if you’re going to Nokia World 2010 in London, you should definitely come and say hi to the Music team! You’ll know they’re close when you hear music thumping…

Tell us: what music are you listening to, waiting for Nokia World 2010 to start? =)

-Niini