Microsoft Corp. and Adobe Systems Inc. today announced the launch of "Gimme Some Skin," an Adobe- and Microsoft-sponsored contest running on Adobe's Web site to build the most creative skins for the Microsoft� Windows Media� Player 7. With Windows Media Player 7, skin designers and developers can give their most imaginative ideas full rein. Using simple Windows Media Player scripting, developers can go far beyond building simple "face plates" to create completely customized player interfaces that engage users with added functionality. Adobe design software titles like Adobe Illustrator 9.0, Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and Adobe Premiere 5.1 empower designers to unleash their creative freedom in designing graphically rich skins for Windows Media Player 7 that feature photographs, animations, original illustrations and streaming video. The "Gimme Some Skin" contest runs through Feb. 16, 2001*. Winners will be contacted on March 19. Entries can be created using any software programs and will be judged by a celebrity panel that includes technology journalist Elliot Van Buskirk; Steve Harwell, lead singer of Smash Mouth; and Russell Brown, design guru and senior creative director at Adobe. Prizes include a Harman Kardon home entertainment system, CD-burning equipment from Roxio, and SONICblue Rio 600 portable music devices.