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Thread started 06/30/07 4:38am

Anxiety

BBC News: "Anger at Prince free CD giveaway"

Thanks to HAYSTACK for originally posting a link to this article.


Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/...256732.stm

Anger at Prince free CD giveaway

The music industry has reacted angrily at a decision to give away the new album by US musician Prince with a tabloid newspaper.
Planet Earth will be given free with a future edition of the Mail on Sunday.

The 10-track CD from Prince - whose hits include Purple Rain, Sign O' The Times and Cream - is not due to be released until 24 July.

Paul Quirk, co-chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association, said the decision "beggars belief".

"The Artist formerly known as Prince should know that with behaviour like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores," said Mr Quirk, referring to a period in the 1990s when Prince famously stopped using his name in favour of a symbol.

"It is an insult to all those record stores who have supported Prince throughout his career.

"It is yet another example of the damaging covermount culture which is destroying any perception of value around recorded music."

The practice of "covermounts" - where newspapers attempt to lure readers with DVDs and CDs - is used widely in the industry.

The Mail on Sunday's recent CD giveaways include Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, UB40 and Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.

Stephen Miron, the newspaper's managing director, said: "No one has done this before. We have always given away CDs and DVDs, but this is just setting a new level."

Out of business

Mr Miron declined how much the newspaper had paid to secure the deal.

He added that the newspaper was not out to put music retailers out of business.

"They are living in the old days and haven't developed their businesses sufficiently. We can enhance their business. They are being incredibly insular and need to move their business on," he said.

But HMV chief executive Simon Fox has said it would be "absolutely nuts" to give the album away for free.

The company revealed on Thursday that its profits had more than halved in the face of cut-price competition from supermarkets and online retailers.

The deal has also led to the UK arm of Sony BMG pulling out of the distribution agreement.

"Given the sheer number of copies we are talking about here it seemed the right thing to do for retailers to become exempt from the deal in the UK," said a spokesman for Sony BMG, the world's second-biggest music company.

Prince is due to play 21 concert dates in London later this year.
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Reply #1 posted 06/30/07 4:40am

sermwanderer

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Fuck them.
“If I can shoot rabbits/then I can shoot fascists”
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Reply #2 posted 06/30/07 5:18am

OzlemUcucu

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sermwanderer said:

Fuck them.


I mean seriously, i dont think there will be a free CD giveaway on Sunday. This is ridiculous.
Prince I will always miss and love U.
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Reply #3 posted 06/30/07 5:25am

Xagain

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sermwanderer said:

Fuck them.


nod
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Reply #4 posted 06/30/07 5:40am

JamesS

sermwanderer said:

Fuck them.


nod x 1,000
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Reply #5 posted 06/30/07 5:44am

purpledoveuk

Although does it not seem a bit mental to anybody else that Prince is having his album given away for free BEFORE the ones being given out at his London Gigs and BEFORE he sells it.

Sure its great for the fans that didnt get tickets for the gigs but the only people it seems to be sticking 2-fingers up to are the people who would download it illegaly...but then he wont eb getting any money for that any way.

Ground breaking....but makes no sense what so ever
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Reply #6 posted 06/30/07 5:56am

onenitealone

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I have very mixed feelings about this whole issue but, having read your comments on the other thread, Anxiety, I agree that this is a brave step for Prince. nod If nothing else, Prince should be applauded for trying new business models yet again. clapping

I hate the feeling that this album is just going to be given away as a 'freebie', however. sigh "Where's the sports supplement and - oh, look - the new album from Prince". I honestly would prefer the album to sell bugger all copies to music fans who genuinely desire it, rather than be given away. It cheapens the artform for me, almost. That old art vs commerce thing. There again, the stranglehold that music retailers have had on the business for years is staggering disbelief - it is about time somebody gave them something else to think about. I don't know... I just hope Prince doesn't shoot himself in the foot with this one. pray But if getting the music out there, to as many people as possible, is Prince's main goal, he's doing the right thing.

One concern: if this, apart from the live shows, is the only way UK fans will be able to purchase the album, how do we/new fans purchase the album in future?? confuse That is making it completely limited edition - a one day run?? confused omfg Looks like I'm going to have to buy about 4 copies of the Mail On Sunday. lol
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Reply #7 posted 06/30/07 6:01am

realm

Creating and keeping a large fan base is lucrative.
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Reply #8 posted 06/30/07 6:04am

Anxiety

onenitealone said:


One concern: if this, apart from the live shows, is the only way UK fans will be able to purchase the album, how do we/new fans purchase the album in future?? confuse That is making it completely limited edition - a one day run?? confused omfg Looks like I'm going to have to buy about 4 copies of the Mail On Sunday. lol


i wouldn't be too worried - your wrecka stow used bins are going to be CLOGGED with those suckers in the next few months. lol
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Reply #9 posted 06/30/07 6:07am

purplefrank

Prince owes nothing to the music industry, retailers or press, at the end of the day where were they during his contract wrangle.

Prince is innovation. If the music industry and retailers wanna bicker and get left behind thats their problem.

Prince yet again setting new standards!
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Reply #10 posted 06/30/07 6:11am

XxAxX

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doesn't this violate the terms of his distribution agreement with sony? just wondering
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Reply #11 posted 06/30/07 6:11am

onenitealone

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Anxiety said:

i wouldn't be too worried - your wrecka stow used bins are going to be CLOGGED with those suckers in the next few months. lol


Ain't that the truth?? lol hug

My parents are Mail readers and I can *just* imagine my father's face - someone who brands all men who sing in falsetto 'gay' neutral - when he opens up the newspaper and chokes on his bacon sandwich over that picture of Prince in his corset. falloff

On second thoughts - THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! Go Princey!! woot!


lol

.
[Edited 6/30/07 6:12am]
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Reply #12 posted 06/30/07 6:11am

suomynona

I'm glad he's giving it away. It just means that I we'll all have the new album at some time tomorrow. Or next Sunday. Or maybe the Sunday after that. Or...
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Reply #13 posted 06/30/07 7:25am

Thirdeye

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onenitealone said:

Anxiety said:

i wouldn't be too worried - your wrecka stow used bins are going to be CLOGGED with those suckers in the next few months. lol


Ain't that the truth?? lol hug

My parents are Mail readers and I can *just* imagine my father's face - someone who brands all men who sing in falsetto 'gay' neutral - when he opens up the newspaper and chokes on his bacon sandwich over that picture of Prince in his corset. falloff

On second thoughts - THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! Go Princey!! woot!


lol

.
[Edited 6/30/07 6:12am]




falloffI think this will stop my dad buying a newspaper again
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Reply #14 posted 06/30/07 7:26am

ZML17

It makes perfect since. Prince just wants to get his music out there.He's gonna make money. People in Britain will be talkin bout the album a lot. And since it's not free in the states people will buy it to see what the hype is all about.
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Reply #15 posted 06/30/07 7:31am

psychodelicide

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disbelief It seems like no matter what Prince does, it ends up being controversial or criticized. Someone is always finding fault with it in some way. Bottom line: It's Prince's music, and he should be able to do whatever he wants with it. Fuck the music industry is my sentiment as well.
RIP, mom. I will forever miss and love you.
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Reply #16 posted 06/30/07 7:32am

IRISHFAN

Does anyone know what Sunday (date) it will be with the paper. I wonder do they sell that paper here in Ireland? confused
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Reply #17 posted 06/30/07 7:33am

psychodelicide

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onenitealone said:

Anxiety said:

i wouldn't be too worried - your wrecka stow used bins are going to be CLOGGED with those suckers in the next few months. lol


Ain't that the truth?? lol hug

My parents are Mail readers and I can *just* imagine my father's face - someone who brands all men who sing in falsetto 'gay' neutral - when he opens up the newspaper and chokes on his bacon sandwich over that picture of Prince in his corset. falloff

On second thoughts - THIS IS A GREAT IDEA!!!! Go Princey!! woot!


lol

.
[Edited 6/30/07 6:12am]


falloff Your dad sounds a lot like mine - he's always saying that Prince is gay too. lol lol
RIP, mom. I will forever miss and love you.
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Reply #18 posted 06/30/07 7:45am

Rayun2thejoyfa
ntastic

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The only thing that dissapoints me is it isnt being given away here in the US. I think it's a good move to get his brilliance out to more people, and it's NOT gonna stop any of us hardcore from buying it on the day it's released...
RAVE!!!
U can come if you want to, but U can never leave...
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Reply #19 posted 06/30/07 7:58am

Tom

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I think it's a great idea. Prince gets paid (by the paper), and the fans get the music for free.

Wouldn't you be more inclined to check out music from someone if they were giving their stuff away for free?

Considering how religious Prince is these days, it's amusing he still finds a way to say "F-U" to the labels smile.
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Reply #20 posted 06/30/07 8:06am

PopeLeo

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IRISHFAN said:

Does anyone know what Sunday (date) it will be with the paper. I wonder do they sell that paper here in Ireland? confused


There is an Irish edition of the paper, so let's hope we've got the CD too.
If not, I'll be taking a spin up the M1 to look for a UK copy.
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Reply #21 posted 06/30/07 8:13am

purpleundergro
und

I can't believe "the industry" is so upset. Upset because they aren't making money from Prince? They can suck it!

I look at it as our "musician friend" is giving people HIS music.
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Reply #22 posted 06/30/07 8:17am

OperatingTheta
n

The assertion that HMV have 'suppported' Prince is laughable.
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Reply #23 posted 06/30/07 8:19am

FuzzyD

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http://www.dailymail.co.u...ince4.html


Here is the link to the daily mail advert.... Look like it could be tomorrow, but it does say to keep checking withthe web site for more details...
[Edited 6/30/07 8:20am]
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Reply #24 posted 06/30/07 8:22am

suomynona

Let's hope the other 8 tracks are better than "Future Baby Mama" and "Guitar."
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Reply #25 posted 06/30/07 8:39am

wonder505

i never thought giving something away for free would cause such "controversy". i wonder if Sony pulling the plug on distributing the album in the UK was really what the record stores wanted?
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Reply #26 posted 06/30/07 8:43am

m3taverse

XxAxX said:

doesn't this violate the terms of his distribution agreement with sony? just wondering


The UK arm of Sony/BGM pulled out.

Great "marketing" indeed, many people will buy this album now ... ow wait ... so what is he marketing with this giveaway then?
Answers on a postcard and mail 'm to your nearest perfume and phone dealer.
"this especially prepared potato is called pomme de terre"
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Reply #27 posted 06/30/07 8:43am

Anxiety

do nickelback fans get this twisted out of shape when they have free CDs in a box of corn pops?
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Reply #28 posted 06/30/07 8:47am

wonder505

Anxiety said:

do nickelback fans get this twisted out of shape when they have free CDs in a box of corn pops?


i can't see why fans would have a problem with this. but i guess the record stores are just frustrated because they have not figured out, or made no attempts to, compete in todays music market.
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Reply #29 posted 06/30/07 8:50am

2freaky4church
1

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Isn't the Globe and Mail conservative?
All you others say Hell Yea!! woot!
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