The new album should be given away as part of a magazine package deal

[MattyJam]

Sony and the estate should consider releasing the new album in the same way Slash has recently released his. For those who don't know, you can buy Slash's album with a special Classic Rock fan magazine for £14.99. The magazine is entirely dedicated to Slash and is widely available in both music stores and newsagents.

This would be a great idea for Michael's new album for many reasons:

* Record stores are dying out and most people just download albums these days. By releasing it with a magazine it would put the album on the shelves of stores which would otherwise never usually stock music releases, thus increasing it's sales potential.

* It helps make the album feel like an "event" because it's something different.

* It would be an excellent package for the fans.

The magazine could have a track by track review detailing the history of each track, interviews with the producers, pictures from the recording sessions.

What do you guys think?

 

[JMie]

I think this album will be an "event" even without a magazine.

 

[MattyJam]

I think this album will be an "event" even without a magazine.

True, but why not go the extra mile?

Sure, they could just release it in record stores like every other album and no doubt it will sell a truckload, because it's Michael.

But the exposure of a magazine deal is great. Here in the UK, you can buy Slash's album in your local cornershop, you can buy it on a train station, you can buy it in a garage, you can buy it in a supermarket.

From a marketing perspective, how can that not be a good idea??

 

[raz2911]

I think the release will be original, not that this isn't a good idea. But sony will want to WOW people and I think they will do something on a much bigger scale, I could imagine HIStory statues, and lots more !!

 

[Sophielo]

I don't know. Its an interesting idea but this is going to be HUGE event and will attract a ton of people. Stores like HMV etc are foaming at the mouth about it. I find the idea of being able to buy an album in a petrol station a bit tacky to be honest. This is Michael Jackson and the promotion is going to be huge. I don't want to be able to pop into my local Shell garage and buy it with a magazine.

 

[MattyJam]

I think the release will be original, not that this isn't a good idea. But sony will want to WOW people and I think they will do something on a much bigger scale, I could imagine HIStory statues, and lots more !!

I hope so. MJ hasn't had any new material properly promoted by his label since 1995. It's long overdue.