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The Monetization of Mimi: Mariah CD To Have Ads
Branding

By Becky Ebenkamp

As music sales continue to drop like they’re not so hot throughout the industry, Island Def Jam Music Group is jamming on a new business model: integrating brands into artists’ CD booklets.

The first deal, created for the Mariah Carey release Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel on Sept. 15, is a 34-page co-production with Elle magazine that includes lifestyle ads from Elizabeth Arden, Angel Champagne, Carmen Steffens, Le Métier de Beauté and the Bahamas Board of Tourism. Providing the experiment goes well, the label is eyeing bigger brand deals for booklets of CDs by Rihanna, Bon Jovi, Kanye West and other artists.

The mini magazine contains Mariah-centric editorial (“VIP Access to Her Sexy Love Life,” “Amazing Closet,” “Recording Rituals”) and lifestyle advertising along with lyrics and other CD booklet elements. Elle contributed the editorial and designed the layout.

The booklets were created for the first run of U.S. CDs (1 million) and the first 500,000 overseas, said Jeff Straughn, senior VP of strategic marketing for Island Def Jam Music Group. It will also be available in a digital format for those who buy music online. A condensed version of the Mariah mag, sans the 14 pages of CD-specific material, will be inserted into 500,000 subscription copies of Elle’s October issue, which arrives mid-September.

“The idea was really simple thinking: ‘We sell millions of records, so you should advertise with us,’” said Antonio “L.A.” Reid, chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, a unit of Universal Music Group. “My artists have substantial circulation—when you sell 2 million, 5 million, 8 million, that’s a lot of eyeballs. Most magazines aren’t as successful as those records.”

Carey was “very open” to the concept when Reid showed her a mock-up of the booklet in a magazine format that included brand imagery synonymous with her lifestyle. “I wouldn’t want to do Mariah Carey and Comet abrasive cleaner,” Reid said, laughing. “I wanted things that really reflected her taste.”

Reid said the program was unprecedented. Terry Dry, president of Los Angeles-based digital-word-of-mouth marketing agency Fanscape, agreed, saying that the CD booklet advertising is a first, though he wouldn’t be surprised if more labels look into doing the same thing: “Hollywood Records [Disney], I know they love to monetize all over the place for something like a Jonas Brothers record. Open any rap record and a couple of inserts will come flying out, usually for a business the artist is a part of. I wouldn’t be surprised if 50 Cent had a Vitaminwater thing.”

Labels are looking for ways to eke out extra bucks, borrow equity and cut costs anywhere they can today. Year-to-date album sales were down 13.9 percent for the week ending July 19, 2009, compared with the period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan (227 million units vs. 195.5 million units). Of those 2009 sales, 18.9 percent, or 41.9 million, were digital.

Ad revenues are subsidizing 100 percent of Island Records’ costs for the Carey booklet, but label execs also see the alliance as a way to expand distribution at a time when the local music store is becoming as rare as the Beatles’ Yesterday and Today LP with the “Butcher” cover.

“We don’t have music retailers any more, so a smart consumer products company that understands the value in distributing music is going to restore the vitality of our business,” Reid speculated. “If we distribute music properly and if it’s done tastef ully, it could be a huge profit center for all of us. That is the missing link—we need partnerships.”

To underscore the point: At one large retail establishment, partner Elizabeth Arden is allowing the label to cross-promote the release. The CD Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel will be merchandised directly outside Walmart’s music aisle with Carey’s new signature Arden fragrance, Forever, which has its ad on the booklet’s back cover. The CD and scent will also be displayed together in the beauty department.

— Nielsen Business Media

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  1. Well the good Thing is, Labels are gettin some Ad money… but i dont think things like that let the sales go up… because why should i buy a cd with a magazine in it… in my eyes the music indurstry missed the digital train and now they have a major problem..

  2. IDK!!!!!!!
    I buy a lot of music digitally and I don’t want space on my comp being taken up by things that I may/may not be interested in. Honestly, I rarely even read the booklets that come with CD’s (only if the lyrics are inside)……. when I bought physical CD’s the only thing I needed the cover for was the tracklisting.
    I’m sure that somebody somewhere will be interested in the promotional extras, but probably not enough to really make it worthwhile for them to continue to do it. Just my 2 cents.

    P.S…….Where’s that Do U Want To Remix????????????? I’m just playin but I’m sayin’

  3. LOL!!!!
    Why they don´t sell new Mariah CD like part of the magazine?? Effect will be same, they sell lot of magazine, lot of advertise space and label can save money on distribution!

    :-))))

  4. SOUNDS LIKE COONS-R-US aka DEF JAM REACHING…REACHING REAL HARD TO STAY REVELANT….

    SOUNDS LIKE WHEN YOU GOT TO A STORE IN THE HOOD…ADS ALL ON THE DAMN WINDOWS AND DOOR…YOU LIKE, “WHAT THE HELL THEY GOT ALL THE SH*T UP FOR???”…YOU GET YOUR DRINK OR WHATEVA AND BREAK!!

    NOBODY GONNA PAY NO DAMN ATTENTION TO ADS…SH*T PEOPLE NOT EVEN BUYING MAGS OR CDS ANYMORE. MIMI BETTER OFF ADVERTISING HEAVY ON THE INTERNET…RECORD LABELS STILL IN THE DARK WHEN IT COMES TO THE INTERNET.

    DEF JAM NEEDS TO HIRE SOME INTERNET GEEKS AND GET IT POPPIN!!!

  5. Great idea! I hate the digital era. We get less and less remixes too. Janet uses to have like over a 100 mixes, dubs and shit per era. now just.. hmm 20 at most? and most suck too. She should work with Fantastic Plastic Machine.

    I still buy CD’s and will definatly get that new Mariah CD

  6. wow mimi is really strugglin.

  7. Its a bad idea i dont want ads in my CD Booklets when i buy them, whats the point?? its just waisting paper… these ads aren’t gonna make people buy the album so i reallyyy dont see the point. I think L.A Reid is just being greedy..

  8. wtf?…so there will be advertisements in cds????????????????????…damn..n i thought da commercials on youtube n myspace was bad…smmfh

  9. Long as they arent giving her cd away with a 2pc at KFC like Ciara she is good.

  10. As long as it’s tastefully done, I think it’s a great idea. Especially since it dosen’t cost Def Jam anything. I’m not sure it’s going to generate a significant amount of physical CD sales, though.

  11. If they had better songs than that bullshit Obsessed on the album, then they wouldn’t need all this extras shit…just make good music…that’s all….LA Reid is reaching…just give us another album like Emancipation Of Mimi and the music will sell….If I want a magazine i’ll go to the store and buy one…i don’t want one with my cd

  12. Don’t think it’s gonna do a thing to put ads in the cd booklets. LA Reid is reaching here and trying to pour bullshit on a good product…THE MUSIC! Why dirty it all up with ads???? That is why people go to the bathroom when commercials come on during a tv show or fast forward them when we DVR a show….it is crap we can live without.
    I’m buying a CD for the music and lyrics booklet, not to see a product that mariah is drinking,wearing or acting like she endorses. It is all about the mighty dollar. I say keep the BS in the magazines i look at in the doctors waiting room, not in my CDs please!
    (Unless there is a coupon in there for a free Louis V bag from Mariah! Smiles!)

  13. Its a good way to get Def Jam some extra money but I dont think people will care about the ads they are going to look at the pictures and the lyrics. I can say at least Def Jam is trying something but I doubt it will work long term because I doubt the advertisers will see any significant increase in sales that they can say came from running ads in cds. You can also say how many artists are going platinum and are reaching the numbers that will attract advertisers for this to work long term. It’ll be smart for def jam in terms of getting free money but a waste for advertisers who wont see any real benefits from running ads. Obviously for this Mariah album its going to be somewhat successful out of pure curiosity to see how the ads in the cd will look(only from those who were going to buy the cd already for the music), but after that back to the drawing board. lets not forget we live in a world where cd sales are declining and ads in cds aren’t going to help people buy cds nor care to download a booklet of advertisements if they buy the cd online.

  14. just another reason for people to stop buying physical CDs. the puiblic doesn’t like junk mail, ads in movie theaters, ads in store windows…unless it will be alerting us to a free prodictor discount associated with what we just purchased. so unless it will be “Coming soon from Def Jam” on the back page, they really shouldn’t do it. why waste trees and ink for this?

  15. Yo, this has to be the dumbest shyt i ever heard….. Like what the fuck do I care about some fucking advertising in a damn album booklet… wtf….. This is exactly what is wrong with the fucking music industry, how the hell are you gonna sell me some fucking advetisements about some other bullshit with a mariah carey cd???????? i don’t give a flying fuck about any of them advertisements i just want good MUSIC!!!! This makes me not want to buy the album, cause i don’t need the extra shyt just give me the fucking cd with the credits, if i wanted ads i would pick up a fucking magazine… wtf….. this is some bullshyt they better not pull this shyt with itunes…

  16. somebody is about to be promoted…CDFU….excellent idea …..

  17. I think it will be good for establish artists and it’s a way to make extra money. The Mimi fans might like to have it has a collector’s items if it’s like a magazine spread about Mimi. It’s not going to sell any more records. Records labels need to get ahead on the streaming audio trend now that you have the 4G cell phone networks coming in now. People will not be rocking the Ipod in the feature. They will just stream to the songs to the mobile phones because they will always be connected at a high speed.

    The record business will continue to shrink. Nobody in any genre will sale more than 5 million on one album in the next 5 -10 years in the US only. They might do that overseas because it’s still a lot of countries that still just have access to devices that plays CDs.

  18. FROM A MARKETING STANDPOINT THIS IS BRILLIANT!!!!! I’M SURPRISED NOBODY THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE. EVERYBODY THINKS INSIDE THE BOX INSTEAD OF OUT AND THAT’S WHY THIS IDEA TOOK SO LONG TO COME ABOUT. BRILLIANT!!!!!!

  19. THIS SHIT IS SUCH AN INCREDIBLE IDEA……I FEEL LIKE THE ONLY ARTISTS THAT REALLY SUFFER FROM RECORD SELLS RIGHT NOW ARE NEW ARTISTS THAT PEOPLE HAVENT GOT USE TO YET. MOST ESTABLISHED ARTISTS ARE STILL PUSHING ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 3 MILLION RECORDS BUT THATS ONLY IF THEY WERE REALLY POPULAR BEFORE THE RECESSION OR JUST ON SOME LADY GAGA TYPE SHIT! AND IF YOU ASK ME 2 TO 3 MILLION IS HELLA GOOD BEIN THAT BACK THEN PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS AMAZING TO SELL A MILLION LET ALONE 2 MILLION OR MORE. IN MY OPINION RECORD SELLS WILL NEVER DIE……THEY MIGHT DROP IN PERCENTAGE BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD THAT ALWAYS WANT THEIR FAVORITE ARTISTS OFFICIAL CD FROM A STORE NOT SOME BOOTLEG OR DOWNLOADED SHIT. JD I GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU……HOW MUCH HAVE THE ROYALTIE PERCENTAGES BEEN AFFECTED SINCE THIS WHOLE DROP OF RECORDS SELLS?

  20. One positive you can take away from this post is that, record company execs are at least trying to think somewhat out of the box to increase revenues or to lower expenses. In my opinion putting 2 failing industry’s together, is not the new structure of releasing music to consumers. Most recent reports show that the magazine industry is in worst shape than the record industry. I think the quote in the post that was most telling was when L.A Reid said “Partnership is NEEDED”……. In my opinion this shows you that the current music industry or at least album sales is no longer and independent product. Everywhere you look record labels are trying to package up albums with other products or are trying to give artist points/percentages on albums, which hold not nearly as much value as they did when labels where being stingy with them, in exchange for opportunities to partner with artist on their outside or personal revenue streams (touring, merchandise, endorsements, etc.). Now, I def don’t believe the Music Industry is dead I just feel it needs to be re structured. For years artist have been complaining about labels and labels and been complaining about distribution and distribution has been complaining about retail. To me it sounds like there has always been to many cooks in the kitchen and now that the kitchen is a little smaller people are starting to starve. The greatest invention possibly in human evaluation (The computer) has completely change the way all businesses are ran, I just feel the Music Industry still hasn’t figured out how to maximize on the fact that everybody in the world listens to music now more than ever before. And I know what everyone say’s… illegal downloads….but what you have to realize is that with every great change there are some give and takes, but illegal downloading is not the sole reason for decreasing album sales.

  21. More industry bullshit to tap money from somewhere 360 deals all this bullshit JUST MAKE GOOD FUCKIN RECORDS L.A. REID!!! Stop giving me wack ass EWACTRIC RED and the bullshit ringtone rap to make a buck and you wouldnt have to put a magazine with your fuckin cd!

  22. I was on yahoo IM today, I had a conference with 4000 something people on the messenger about why RAP MUSIC SUCKS!. Most of them on my messenger are my cousins, and friends that I went to my school, and random people on my messenger. All of them stated that they don’t buy CDs at all, only downloads. My feeling is, today’s market wants it now and there seems to be a disconnect between the artist and the communication needed to create a point of sale. No one is interest in the person performing the music until they have reach a certain level in their career.

    Youngster don’t buy CD’s anymore because its not portable. There maybe one to three songs on an album that the person may love to hear. The younger demographics are geared toward digital downloads so they can have the songs and music of their choice at their fingertips with the invention of ipods. Think about it, how many people do you see walking around with a CD player. NONE! The newest light weight thing available are ipods and you can download to large amounts.
    CD’s are going down hill with consumer sales and its because of the next best thing, which are ipods.
    I notice that CD prices has dropped, the quality of music has changed to point that it doesn’t sound crystal clear. The fucking music industry is now in despriation.

    A lot of people now days are complaining on how today’s rap game sucks. I gotta agree, it sucks, and many time I discuss about it to my friends everytime a new artist comes out. The only artist out right that people care for is Keyana West. Before every girl/boy talked about lil.wayne, how he was the best rapper a live or the best rapper in the rap game right now. Now people saying that lil.wayne sucks; all lil.wayne raps about are bitches, guns and money. People don’t wanna hear that shit! Plus people also say’s that lil.wayne is wack only because he name his self after T-Pain which is so fucking GAY! That explains why he intends to use Auto-Tunes.

    Theres about 500,000 something people in the U.S. feels the same way about Rap Music. I have a lot of negative things that I want to say about Rap music. Ask the world how they feel about Rap music, most of them are gonna say “Rap Sucks now days.” The 80’s and 90’s was when rap music was cool and it had content.

    IT’S LIKE ONE OR TWO SONGS ON THE DAMN ALBUM THAT’S HOT. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE SAY, AND I AGREE. PEOPLE EVEN SAY IF ANYBODY IN THE MUSIC GAME IS DOPE, THEY WOULD GO BUY THEIR ALBUM; BUT, IF THEY NOT SHORE ABOUT THE ARTIST OR THEY DON’T CARE FOR THE ARTIST, THEY GONNA BURN THE SHIT OR BOOTLEG IT. A LOT OF PEOPLE AGREE THAT THE BEST RAPPER THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT ARE NAS, EMINEM, JADAKISS, JOE BUDDEN, T.I., AND W/E. That’s something that the Music Industry need to think about.

    Back than, I remember how huge buying albums and tape cassettes were. It was like shopping for a Christmas gift, that’s how cool it was to buy albums back than. Now days, I don’t see people in Walmart in the C.D. area, it’s kinda sad to think about it. In 6 more months it’s gonna be 2010, it’s time for change. It’s time to bring back heart felt music that had meaning. It’s time to bring back good time music, music that any age can enjoy, not just for the confuse teens out there. It’s time to bring back ballads and blues. It’s time to bring back the real essence of r&b and rap but in a different formmat.

    C.D.’s are now history! Since i’m a artistic person, i’ll let you know that instead of C.D.’s, it would be awsome that the music industry would discontinue Album’s and start out with KEY CHAINS THAT HAVE A PLUGIN, LIKE AN I POD SORD OF, BUT WITH ALL THE ARTIST UNRELEASED MUSIC ON IT, WITH A PICTURE OF THEM IN KEYCHAIN, AND IT WILL COME WITH A BOOKLET OF LYRICS AND PICTURES OF THE ARTIST AS WELL. THAT’S MY PREDICTION FOR 2010. PEOPLE WON’T BE ABLE TO LEAK SHIT NOMORE, IT’S JUST GONNA BE PORTABLE. YOU CAN PUT THE KEYCHAIN ON YOUR BACKPACK, OR YOUR PANTS.. SHIT! YOU SHOULD THANK ME J.D. FOR THAT GREAT VISION OF MINDS.

    A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T SUPPORT THE ARTIST ONLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T LIKE THE ARTIST FOR SOME OF THEIR MUSIC OR THEY JUST DON’T GIVE A SHIT IF THEY STILL IN THE GAME. NO ONE ISN’T GONNA REMEMBER TODAY’S MUSIC 20 YEARS FROM NOW. THEY HAVE NOTHING THAT MADE PEOPLE SAY, “HE OR SHE IMPACTED MY LIFE, OR HE OR SHE GAVE ME STRENGTH BECAUSE OF THEIR MUSIC.” THINK ABOUT J.D.!
    LISTEN UP J.D. I’M LETTING YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS TOPIC ON YOUTUBE OR TWITTER TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT TODAY’S MUSIC. ALSO BRING UP TOPICS ABOUT “WHY PEOPLE DON’T BUY ALBUMS NOMORE.” THIS WILL HELP!

  23. Talk about Bullshit.

    The industry already stifles creativity for the sake of sales.. this will only increase the problem. MUSIC is a vehicle that shouldn’t be used to sell bullshit.

    Will it work, undoubtedly. Will music suffer, undoubtedly.

  24. READ THIS ONE! MY BAD. I HAD SOME SPELLING ERRORS. LOL! I GOTTA FIX IT BEFORE I SUBMIT IT. LOL! I was on yahoo IM today, I had a conference with 4000 something people on the messenger about why people don’t buy albums nomore?. Most of them on my messenger are my cousins, friends that I went to my school, and random people on my messenger. All of them stated that they don’t buy CDs at all, only downloads. My feeling is, today’s market wants it now and there seems to be a disconnect between the artist and the communication needed to create a point of sale. No one is interest in the person performing the music until they have reach a certain level in their career.

    Youngster don’t buy CD’s anymore because its not portable. There maybe one to three songs on an album that the person may love to hear. The younger demographics are geared toward digital downloads so they can have the songs and music of their choice at their fingertips with the invention of ipods. Think about it, how many people do you see walking around with a CD player. NONE! The newest light weight thing available are ipods and you can download to large amounts.
    CD’s are going down hill with consumer sales and its because of the next best thing, which are ipods.
    I notice that CD prices has dropped, the quality of music has changed to point that it doesn’t sound crystal clear. The fucking music industry is now in despriation.

    A lot of people now days are complaining on how today’s rap game sucks. I gotta agree, it sucks, and many time I discuss about it to my friends everytime a new artist comes out. The only artist out right that people care for is Kanye West. Before every girl/boy talked about lil.wayne, how he was the best rapper a live or the best rapper in the rap game right now. Now people saying that lil.wayne sucks; all lil.wayne raps about are bitches, guns and money. People don’t wanna hear that shit! Plus people also say’s that lil.wayne is wack only because he name himself after T-Pain which is so fucking GAY! That explains why he intends to keep using Auto-Tunes.

    Theres about 500,000 something people in the U.S. feels the same way about Rap Music. I have a lot of negative things that I want to say about Rap music. Ask the world how they feel about Rap music, most of them are gonna say “Rap Sucks now days.” The 80’s and 90’s was when rap music was cool and it had content.

    IT’S LIKE ONE OR TWO SONGS ON THE DAMN ALBUM THAT’S HOT. THAT’S WHAT PEOPLE SAY, AND I AGREE. PEOPLE EVEN SAY IF ANYBODY IN THE MUSIC GAME IS DOPE, THEY WOULD GO BUY THEIR ALBUM; BUT, IF THEY NOT SHORE ABOUT THE ARTIST OR THEY DON’T CARE FOR THE ARTIST, THEY GONNA BURN THE SHIT OR BOOTLEG IT. A LOT OF PEOPLE AGREE THAT THE BEST RAPPER THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT ARE NAS, EMINEM, JADAKISS, JOE BUDDEN, T.I., AND W/E. That’s something that the Music Industry need to think about.

    Back than, I remember how huge buying albums and tape cassettes were. It was like shopping for a Christmas gift, that’s how cool it was to buy albums back than. Now days, I don’t see people in Walmart in the C.D. area, it’s kinda sad to think about it. In 6 more months it’s gonna be 2010, it’s time for change. It’s time to bring back heart felt music that had meaning. It’s time to bring back good time music, music that any age can enjoy, not just for the confuse teens out there. It’s time to bring back ballads and blues. It’s time to bring back the real essence of r&b and rap but in a different formmat.

    C.D.’s are now history! Since i’m a artistic person, i’ll let you know that instead of C.D.’s, it would be awsome that the music industry would discontinue Album’s and start out with KEY CHAINS THAT HAVE A PLUGIN, LIKE AN I POD SORD OF, BUT WITH ALL THE ARTIST UNRELEASED MUSIC ON IT, WITH A PICTURE OF THEM IN KEYCHAIN, AND IT WILL COME WITH A BOOKLET OF LYRICS AND PICTURES OF THE ARTIST AS WELL. THAT’S MY PREDICTION FOR 2010. PEOPLE WON’T BE ABLE TO LEAK SHIT NOMORE, IT’S JUST GONNA BE PORTABLE. YOU CAN PUT THE KEYCHAIN ON YOUR BACKPACK, OR YOUR PANTS.. SHIT! YOU SHOULD THANK ME J.D. FOR THAT GREAT VISION OF MINDS.

    A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T SUPPORT THE ARTIST ONLY BECAUSE THEY DON’T LIKE THE ARTIST FOR SOME OF THEIR MUSIC OR THEY JUST DON’T GIVE A SHIT IF THEY STILL IN THE GAME. NO ONE ISN’T GONNA REMEMBER TODAY’S MUSIC 20 YEARS FROM NOW. THEY HAVE NOTHING THAT MADE PEOPLE SAY, “HE OR SHE IMPACTED MY LIFE, OR HE OR SHE GAVE ME STRENGTH BECAUSE OF THEIR MUSIC.” THINK ABOUT J.D.!
    LISTEN UP J.D. I’M LETTING YOU KNOW RIGHT NOW. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS TOPIC ON YOUTUBE OR TWITTER TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT TODAY’S MUSIC. ALSO BRING UP TOPICS ABOUT “WHY PEOPLE DON’T BUY ALBUMS NOMORE.” THIS WILL HELP!

  25. R&B was once a formidable format, a combination of soul, gospel, and funk whose best artists didn’t hesitate to experiment with style. But in the ’90s and ’00s, R&B has become pigeonholed. Attempting to piggyback on hip-hop’s popularity, its artists use rap beats and hire MCs for guest verses, resulting in a sound virtually indistinguishable from rap.
    I’ll give him credit for collaborating with New Kids on the Block—it’s hard to resist “Single”—but let’s be honest: If Ne-Yo were to stop making records today, would anyone remember him in 20 years?
    In truth, Ne-Yo and R&B’s other reigning king, Usher, are little more than bland, well-dressed Michael Jackson wannabes with good choreographers. Neither has done as much to push the genre forward as sexual nonoffender R. Kelly, who at least is willing to take musical chances. (Unfortunately, he doesn’t qualify as a respected R&B icon because he hasn’t made strong albums, and his legacy is tied up in his perversions.)

    Crooners like Anthony Hamilton, Robin Thicke and Raheem DeVaughn have gotten critical kudos as well, but they all fall short too. Take DeVaughn’s latest album, Love Behind the Melody. Though almost universally praised, it contains the most basic, clichéd lyricism imaginable. His Grammy-nominated hit “Woman” is about—get this—how great the female gender is. The words aren’t even original; lyrics like “You a lady in the streets and a freak when it’s bedroom time” should be credited to Ludacris, and “I appreciate so much/Like the ‘I love you’ feeling girl when we touch” should perhaps be credited to a poor translation of an Italian Hallmark card. Meanwhile, DeVaughn’s offer to “appetize ya or main course ya” on “Customer” is less poetry than soundtrack to a porno flick filmed at Carl’s Jr.

  26. There are about 305,562,205 people that’s living in the U.S. right now. Think about it. There’s people that are into rock, rap, r&b, soul, and ect. If the artist is selling only 16,000 copies in just the first week, it’s gotta be a problem because album sells back than were extremely high. Michael sold 100,000,000 on his first album. That’s extremely good, a lot of people were heavily into drugs back than, so there were lesser people back than. But come on, the fucking music industry should have common sence to know that no one isn’t buying albums nomore like they use to. LIKE DUH! LOL!

  27. U made a very good point there Nakita.

  28. I don’t buy c.d.’s, don’t even even download shit either. i just don’t listen to today’s crap. i still be listening to the old skool 90’s throw back jams like biggie, tupac, queen latifah, Naz, & yah.

  29. @ Nakita

    I think the problem is people are just too damn lazy to go out and buy the album, even if they heard the album and loved it they would rather download it for free rather than pay for it. Its those people right there that are killing the industry..

  30. This shyt is BRILLIANT… its just a little bit late. They’ll still do very well using this model I predict, but these Record Companies and Magazine missed so much profit over the past few decades !!

  31. HELL NO! BAD IDEA. AS A PERSON WHO WORKS IN MEDIA THIS IS JUST APART OF MY WORST NIGHTMARE KOMING TRUE. ADVERTISING IS GOING TO RULE THE WORLD EVENTUALLY. I REALLY HATE TO HEAR THIS. SMH

  32. Can’t hate them for trying a different approach

  33. WOW! That’s the most stupidest idea I ever had to read JD. lol!. I so agree with Nakita, and that ipod look a like key chain idea is such a awsome idea. U should hirer Nakita for this idea JD. lol! Nakita made some real valid points about why people don’t buy albums nomore. Plus she include things that people said which are very true indeed. I feel the same way about Lil. Wayne, I feel the same way about rap music, it’s so real. Nakita? Did you do an interview or something? That’s just so amazing to me, i can’t explain really. lol

  34. Interesting mix of comments. The first thing that actually came to my mind was this would be great for a concert souvenir booklet. Those that advertise in the CD booklet would actually be sponsors of the tour. Howsenever, this kind of booklet seems more like a plot to make the label rich at the artists expense. It’s like now the artist’s product and it’s packaging are open for ad placements.

    So the artist has to be really careful. Mariah is astute so she’s not gonna let LA pimp her music without her getting in on the money deal. Still, aligning yourself and your music with certain products can backfire when it comes to image and branding. Which is why so many American artists, actors, etc would only do commercials overseas.

    Now in the case of E. Arden, cross promotion with the fragrance and Mariah’s CD makes branding sense and cents. But a CD booklet, is a waste of time, money, and paper to me. All that’s created could just as well be in a virtual booklet for download. It’s where the consumer is nowadays.

    If Reid is going that route why not just make it a special limited edition CD. Those lambs will spend their last dime to get it and a higher price than the regular CD.

  35. The most popular file sharing programs that deals with downloading illegal music and other illegal things like porn, movies, anything that you don’t want to buy but to get for free are morpheus, ARES, Limewire, FrostWire, Phex,FilesWire, Shareaza, MP3 Rocket, and Gnutella. I use Limewire, everyone mostly uses limewire. We don’t have to buy the fucking album because today’s artist aint worth a dime in my book. I would only support Mary J, Blige, she’s a wonderful human being with good sentalmental lyrics.

    You right Nakita, the music industry needs better change. Your idea about discontinuing albums and start out with now merchandise such as mini player key chains is a fucking good idea. Rap music does suck, you right about that. WTF! Do the Ricky Bobby, do the stanky leg, do the jerk, and all them other bullshit dance moves are wack. Yo, I’m so sick of music now days. Nakita is right.

  36. That’s a fucking bad idea, what the fuck do I want a magazine in my shit! I don’t even read the fucking read magazine. That’s the reason why I stop buying albums, I knew something like this is gonna happen, because I know how fucked up the music industry is right now, it’s all over the news how record labels are losing money. Also album sells are tanking through the years, that’s because music now day’s suck, it’s not worth buying no one’s album because all artist and music industry wants is money money money. @Nakitabenjamin, you definately know the music industry more than people who are in it, you should work as an A&R or something, because you will help bring us real talent to the game than the wackass artist now days that can’t write there music, that can’t make their own beats, or can’t even perform live. That idea of a keychain player is way better idea than L.A. reids stupid idea. You should take L.A. Reids place lol

  37. I dig it, more money then i’m there from a business perspective its a good idea, consumers on the other hand might hate it tho, its like when you go to the movies and they have commercials that run before the previews even run, if i want to see an ad i’d get a magazine, i dot want that in my cd cover, but it is a good avenue for revenue, a catch 22 if you will

  38. i dont like the idea…ads are so annoying.

  39. I dont think its the music fault, i think people just dont support anything any more, talent is so opinionated, that people are not recognized for that no more. Somebody has to tell the world you got talent instead of people finding it for themselves. Also its an overload, there are so many musicians that we cant hear any one, cause two others standing by like rap, i sing. there isn’t any respect for something that takes an immense amount of God given talent and then hours upon hours of hard work. Thats the real problem go outside and say I know JD and i can get you a deal who does music, your whole block will be in front of your house. Killa Mike said it best the problem with rap is there are too many rappers and not enough fans.

  40. Rather have a $6 full size Mariah swimsuit magazine + $6 mp3 album from amazon…

    Kill Ryu

  41. I think it’s a decent surface attempt to cross market with a new sector. Personally, 9 times out of 10 I’m probably not gonna be swayed to buy/try something new due to a CD insert. When i’m shoppin’ for music, that’s what I want.I pretty much have heard about it and wanna go get it. No short cuts gentlemen (Record label execs),you have to re-evaluate your relationships.Old distribution methods are only gonna yield the same results.Its a new day…Internet,Internet,Internet.Build,cultivate,scrap for those computer sales(album art included).Aaah what about myspace,youtube,facebook,and last but not least twitter.At least friends/followers are verifiable numbers.Dont forget the song and ring tone cell phone download sales. I think most music lovers want good music fast.

  42. You know what I believe? Every state has there own sound, their own flava that’s popular in their own hood. Other states might not like Alanta Georgia’s taste in music, or Miami’s taste in music or Cali’s taste in music, or New Yorks taste in music you feel me? That’s why music isn’t so popular nomore. It’s not how it use to be 20 years ago. If you see a star walking in the street now days, it’s like they non exsistant to the older generation. No one isn’t reallly supportive towards musicians even though they might like one or two songs of theirs. The only people who listens to music now days are the ignorant teens out there with no common sence. Those are called confuse teens, that go out at a club every night and get drunk all night and get laid all night. The music industry only focusing on what’s popular to teens and in the hood. Alot of people don’t like the new shit that’s out right now because to them it’s considered “WACK”. Rap is dead in my opinion, no one talks about music nomore. Have anyone heard of K’Jon’s song called “On The Ocean song?” That’s a song that I would play at my wedding one day. Songs like that makes you wanna think, anything that comes in mind, rather if it’s sex, relationship, and ect; Its a song that you wanna play when you feeling down, happy, moody, horney, or whatever, it’s a song for everybody.

    The music industry needs to focus, they not focus.

    @Nakitabenjamin. I read your comment, and I agree with everything. That idea of yours is unbelievable. The music industry isn’t gonna discontinue CD’s because CD’s are very cheap to get, it’s like a dollar for one CD you feel me? That’s why they make so much money off of CD’s because it’s afforable for their investment. Do you understand? Yeah… If they try to do your vision, it’s gonna cost them more, and they gonna end up having to rise the price for them keychain players you feel me?

  43. The idea is wack though. Please tell L.A. Reid not to do it, it’s stupid.

  44. IM GOING TO HAVE TO AGREE WITH THE MAJORITY AND SAY THIS IDEA IS REALLY WACK. IT IS COMPLETELY POINTLESS….JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE ADS IN A CD BOOKLET ISNT GOING TO MAKE ME WANT TO BUY THE CD….NOW IF IT WAS A COUPON BOOK THAT HAD A DISCOUNT ON A PAIR OF YEEZYS OR BUY 1 LOUIE BAG AND GET ANOTHER 25% OFF…. WHEN U BUY A CERTAIN ARTISTS’ CD THEN IT WILL MAKE ME BUY. IT SUCKS THAT IT HAS TO BE THIS WAY BUT HEY EVERYONE IS SUFFERING W/ FINANCIAL PROBLEMS….HELP ME TO HELP YOU IS A NEW MOTO

  45. HELL NO!!!

    What happened to artistry?
    Has it become one big ad campaign!

  46. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!! I want to go in on this one. But I will not write a long reply today.
    Yes extra money is good, when the results were a for sure thing. There are not enough artist who can sale 300,000 let alone 2 million plus. (At least in Urban markets) Country, POP, and Rock might be able to benefit more from this.
    This would have been great starting 15 years ago. The market was different, Money was on the rise and artist then were working harder than for that 1 single (ringtone).
    I dont believe this will benefit artist at all. Of course it never is right? LOL…. Keep artist in debt and keep them in need of a label is the dark side of entertainment. It will take more convincing to make this a smart move. It needs to be planned more. Business affairs are gonna go through hell to make this deal right. Not a good look at all. But oh well. Until Execs look out side the box; mediocre outcomes are to follow.

  47. IDK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    I’m not really following the pipeline of the idea. who is supposed to profit more the product advertised or mag… or the artist? So what does that say for the fact that we are in the digital age and many people buy shit off of iTunes?? I know if I get a damn cd cover I dont want to see that bullshit! I miss the days when THANK YOUS were something you WANTED to read. And when u heard a dope song and just HAD to check the credits and see who wrote it… hoping the artist wrote SOMETHING in ur face song… that shit just made the song a lil dope than someone else writing it. But I digress.

    I just don’t see the point. Artists are BARELY seeling THEIR own damn product nevermind incorporating ads. This shit seems a lil johnny come lately. 10 years ago when Tuesdays were major… this would have been perfect. they need to rethink this idea for real.

  48. face = fave *

    seeling = selling *

  49. I’m just hoping she gets a LiveNation deal for her next album since she’s done with Universal Music Group. At least LiveNation will give her more creative freedom. I get the feeling that Def Jam forced her to work with current Urban/Hip-Hop artists on Memoirs and E=MC2 when it was obvious she was going in the soul direction with Charmbracelet and Emancipation of Mimi. I sort of hope she heads back in the throwback soul direction with the next album hopefully with a different label. It’s obvious that Def Jam is manipulating their album artists to sound the same way, Janet Jackson didn’t write any of her songs on the Discipline album, they were all written by current Urban artists as well. Don’t give me that “But Mariah writes all her songs!” crap, her producers have been writing her songs for her and putting demos out for her before she records her “version”.

  50. Will be a good idea if the advertsements are geared toward what REAL people can afford. The average person cannot afford Gucci, LV, make it realistic and maybe it will fly

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