Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, was spotted making the rounds in Hollywood, looking for deals. The top executive of the Xbox One maker was not there for a shot at stardom in the big screen but to market and sell his company's new gaming console as an all-you-need entertainment system.
Nancy Tellam, president of Microsoft Entertainment Studios, came along with Ballmer. She did not apply for any leading lady's role but used her Hollywood connections to set up a meeting between the top TV moguls and Ballmer.
The Deadline was able to scoop the trip of the two Microsoft executives. Ballmer and Tellem reportedly visited CBS, William Morris Endeavor, and other major entertainment studios late last week.
Ballmer demonstrated the features of the Xbox One to several big bosses of the TV, including Les Moonves of CBS, Steve Patrick Whitesell and Ari Manuel of WME and Steve Mosko of Sony TV. The CEO of Microsoft showcased the functionality of the Xbox One and correlated it with scripted programming, reality TV, music shows and sports TV.
"To reiterate Microsoft's commitment to transitioning its business to devices and services and to explaining that Hollywood entertainment is a big part of that. Microsoft in the past has just dipped a toe but now has a real commitment," said one unnamed source of Deadline, when asked about the purpose of the duo's trip to Hollywood.
Ballmer repotedly had discussed the potentials of the new Kinect 2.0 sensors particularly its motion and voice controls that can pave the way for new services and apps for the gaming console.
The Microsoft CEO has no known relationship in the entertainment industry unlike the other Steve - Steve Jobs. Jobs owned Pixar prior to the Disney acquisition. He was also on the board of Disney and that led to content deals benefiting iTunes.
The Xbox One was officially unwrapped on May 21 where its home entertainment potentials were highlighted. Microsoft is expected to showcase the gaming prowess of its new console at the E3 confab on June 10.
So far, Microsoft has sealed the deal with the National Football League. Steven Spielberg will also create a Halo TV series for the brand. If Ballmer succeeds in impressing the TV bosses, we can expect more announcements to boost the entertainment factor of the Xbox One.
