Music mainstay Prince has committed to release '20Ten,' his new album, as a complimentary giveaway with European print magazines and newspapers. Courrier International in France gets '20Ten' on July 8, while the UK's Daily Mirror and Daily Record and Belgium's Het Nieuwsblad will release the album on July 10. Rolling Stone Germany must wait until July 22.
As Trend Hunter reported in 2007, Prince promoted 'Planet Earth' in a similar fashion by giving the album away via the Sunday UK Mail newspaper. It remains to be seen how Prince will release '20Ten' in other international markets.
Bypassing Record Stores
The Prince '20Ten' Album is a Freebie in Print Magazines & Newspapers
Trend Themes
1. Complimentary Album Releases - Artists releasing albums for free with print magazines or newspapers.
2. Print Media Giveaways - Print media outlets using free album giveaways as a tactic to boost sales and readership.
3. Celebrity Marketing Stunts - Celebrities using unconventional marketing tactics to promote their products or releases.
Industry Implications
1. Music - The music industry has the opportunity to explore new methods of album promotion and distribution through free print media giveaways.
2. Publishing - Print media outlets can explore new ways to boost sales and readership by partnering with artists to offer complimentary giveaways.
3. Marketing - Innovative marketing firms can assist celebrities and companies in devising and executing unconventional marketing strategies.