Bypassing Record Stores

The Prince '20Ten' Album is a Freebie in Print Magazines & Newspapers

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.

Complimentary Album Releases
Artists releasing albums for free with print magazines or newspapers.
Print Media Giveaways
Print media outlets using free album giveaways as a tactic to boost sales and readership.
Celebrity Marketing Stunts
Celebrities using unconventional marketing tactics to promote their products or releases.

Who This Affects Most

Music
The music industry has the opportunity to explore new methods of album promotion and distribution through free print media giveaways.
Publishing
Print media outlets can explore new ways to boost sales and readership by partnering with artists to offer complimentary giveaways.
Marketing
Innovative marketing firms can assist celebrities and companies in devising and executing unconventional marketing strategies.
SCORE
2.5 out of 10
GENDER
70% Men30% Women
MARKETTop markets: Europe, Asia
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Gen X
  • Millennial (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 50%
Activity 17%
Freshness 8%