Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor
Music marketing tips and self-promotion ideas for independent songwriters, musicians and bands.
Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog
News, notes and ideas on music marketing, self-promotion, artist empowerment and more
July 02, 2007
Prince Pisses Off UK Music Retailers
The news headlines border on ridiculous:
"Prince Album Freebie Draws Industry Ire"
"Music Industry Attacks Free Prince CD"
Years ago, Prince got out of his contract with Warner Bros and has been operating as an indie. But he uses BMG, one of the major label corporations, to distribute his physical CDs worldwide. With the news of this massive giveaway, the UK arm of Sony BMG is refusing to distribute the CD to stores on that continent.
So, what's the real story here? Who are the losers and winners?
To imply that "the music industry" is enraged by this move is nonsense. Yes, retailers are pissed. They feel that Prince is snubbing the businesses that supported him for so many years. And the music industry establishment (especially at BMG) is upset because an artist with clout is challenging their outdated, decades-old business model.
But the real winners are fans. They are getting access to music easily and without having to jump through hoops.
Prince is a winner, as well. Fans may be getting the CD for free but, reportedly, the Mail on Sunday paid $1 million US for the right to give away the Planet Earth discs.
Plus, the publicity generated by this controversy is creating awareness and buzz about the new CD (which officially goes on sale July 24). Do you think that will lead to sales in countries where the album is not being given away?
The funny thing is, banning the record from UK retail stores makes it even more alluring in that country. If people didn't get the freebie CD and want one, they can still go online and buy one -- and they will.
Other winners: Independent artists the world over who are seeing a great example of alternate ways to reach a lot of fans while also getting paid.
Want more details? Read the Mail on Sunday CD giveaway promo page and Prince's own 3121 label site.
-Bob
Did you enjoy this blog post? Subscribe now and get all of my newest ideas delivered by email or RSS feed. Learn how here.
Are your press kits going straight into the trash? Make sure your PR materials are actually read ... and help lead you to more media exposure. Check out Killer Music Press Kits today!
"Prince Album Freebie Draws Industry Ire"
"Music Industry Attacks Free Prince CD"
- In August and September, Prince will perform 21 shows at the new, state-of-the-art 02 Arena in London. The first 15 shows sold out in hours, so six more were added. These will be his only European dates on this tour.
- As with his previous album release, everyone who attends the concerts will get a copy of Prince's new CD, Planet Earth, as part of their admission price.
- What's causing the uproar? Yesterday (Sunday, July 1) UK tabloid the Mail on Sunday gave away about 2 million copies of Planet Earth with every copy of the paper.
Years ago, Prince got out of his contract with Warner Bros and has been operating as an indie. But he uses BMG, one of the major label corporations, to distribute his physical CDs worldwide. With the news of this massive giveaway, the UK arm of Sony BMG is refusing to distribute the CD to stores on that continent.
So, what's the real story here? Who are the losers and winners?
To imply that "the music industry" is enraged by this move is nonsense. Yes, retailers are pissed. They feel that Prince is snubbing the businesses that supported him for so many years. And the music industry establishment (especially at BMG) is upset because an artist with clout is challenging their outdated, decades-old business model.
But the real winners are fans. They are getting access to music easily and without having to jump through hoops.
Prince is a winner, as well. Fans may be getting the CD for free but, reportedly, the Mail on Sunday paid $1 million US for the right to give away the Planet Earth discs.
Plus, the publicity generated by this controversy is creating awareness and buzz about the new CD (which officially goes on sale July 24). Do you think that will lead to sales in countries where the album is not being given away?
The funny thing is, banning the record from UK retail stores makes it even more alluring in that country. If people didn't get the freebie CD and want one, they can still go online and buy one -- and they will.
Other winners: Independent artists the world over who are seeing a great example of alternate ways to reach a lot of fans while also getting paid.
Want more details? Read the Mail on Sunday CD giveaway promo page and Prince's own 3121 label site.
-Bob
Did you enjoy this blog post? Subscribe now and get all of my newest ideas delivered by email or RSS feed. Learn how here.
Are your press kits going straight into the trash? Make sure your PR materials are actually read ... and help lead you to more media exposure. Check out Killer Music Press Kits today!
posted by Bob Baker @ 11:42 AM
3 comments
Feed Me
What About Bob?
Bob Baker is an author, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more CDs, and increase their incomes.
Bob's Books
Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook:
201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Song-
writers, Musicians and Bands on a Budget
55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet
A easy-to-read overview of online marketing
- Killer Music Press Kits
- 70 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Music on the Internet
- Music Marketing & Publicity Crash Courses
- Indie Music PR Bootcamp
- Killer Music Web Sites
- How to Triple Your Music Income This Year
- Online Music PR Hot List
- How to Make a Living as a Full-Time Musician
- Do-It-Yourself Internet Music PR & Publicity
- How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online
- How to Publish Your Own Indie Book
FREE Music Tips Ezine
- Get Bob's Free Music Marketing Tips by Email. Find out more.
Connect with Bob on
Reprint Rights
- Click here if you'd like to run some of Bob's posts on your own blog, web site or e-zine.
Previous Posts
- Subscribe to Indie Music Promotion Blog
- 6 Ways to Fix Online Music Radio
- Internet Radio Day of Silence
- The Hottest Music Trend Right Now
- The Top 4 Music Sellers
- Bob on NPR's 'Morning Edition' today
- Hilary Clinton & Celine Dion on Viral Marketing
- How to Make Money With Your Music
- How to Make a Name for Yourself as an Artist
- BurnLounge Burning Out?
Favorite Music Blogs
- Derek Sivers
- David Hooper
- Andrew Dubber
- Music Think Tank
- Ariel Hyatt
- Artists House Music
- Musicians Cooler
- GarageSpin
- Bob Lefsetz
- Hypebot
- Music Industry Report
Copyright 2004-2010 Bob Baker
This is cool for someone of Princes fame..I mean a Million Bucks equates a lot of sales on a major label...but for the smaller artist this would not work, as you have no past worth for a newspaper to pay that amount. I like better the idea of including the CD with the price of the ticket or a reduced rate if you have a ticket at he show. I get where you are going with this but comparing Prince to the average run of the mill indie band or artist is a long streach. I think we need to find some more instep lower level indie artists...although for the likes of other big artist that have recently or are thinking of going indie this would be a great startegy...a guarenteed Million out the gate.
Dear Anonymous,
I couple thoughts on this:
1) I didn't clarify it, but the idea here is that you take a grand, Prince-like concept and apply it on your level. You may not be able to get a million bucks from a major pub right now, but you might be able to snag $1,000 from an alternative weekly in your region.
2) While I know it's easy to write off the Prince free CD thing as being too big for a little indie act, don't fall victim to the "thinking small" trap. Sure, you should be aware of your current reality, but don't paint yourself into an "insignificant, local band" corner forever.
-Bob
GREAT POINT BOB... $1,000 would cover $1,000 CDS in paper sleeves for inserts. If you used a smaller CD manufacturer, and gave them a free ad on the CD cover, it would cover a cardboard sleeve too!
KEEP IT POSITIVE & FIND STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY!
JULIAN aKa CCG POP SUPERHERO
http://www.PopSuperhero.com