Pretty clever of him to make deals with all those different magazines, who all made separate deals with him. You know he will make major bank because of all the deals. Instead of just using one newspaper or magazine he uses several--it also is a good way to promote the concerts. So P will see this big burst of money all at one time and it doesn't matter if the album is commercial or not. His clout is enough to make him money. But the best part is that he is doing it legit. Here's hoping that the new music fits the savvy. Crossing toes.

It's not a new idea though. He did it three years (almost to the week and day) with Planet Earth. He did it with Musicology on the tour.

It doesn't make him a decent businessman. The Lotusflow3r fiasco, one of many, still stings some consumers who, rightly so, feel ripped off.

His biggest money will come from the US distribution when it hits retail store shelves as just a regular CD. However, the European deal is good to get it out in large quantities, in an easier fashion, because of the complexities of foreign distribution by an Americna artist sometimes. The money won't be THAT big. If the magazines aren't selling for a higher price than normal, then either Prince is doing it for free to get the music out, or the magazine is taking a cut somewhere to pay Prince. However, as a distributor, they should be paid. Distrubtors don't pay the artist to put it out, they share the profits. So I wonder if the newspapers or magazines will have a higher price, in order to pay Prince, IF that's what is going to happen.

His clout is shit w/ a lot of people. People used to want to work with him, but when he started throwing fits, and burning bridges, then they keep their distance. Prince doesn't have the business clout with people. He can't just walk into a record company and say "put this out" and they'll do it. They just don't. Long gone are the days where Prince can "just pee on a record and sell a million copies".

Okay, so people criticize the "haters" for lambasting his current album until a few years pass and then it becomes "appreciated" but we have had an endless onslaught of people saying this 20TEN deal is some kind of fucking business coup d'état.

Three years ain't that long, people. This approach is something he has done before.

And use the damn sticky.

ernestsewell said:

So I wonder if the newspapers or magazines will have a higher price, in order to pay Prince, IF that's what is going to happen.

I can't comment on the magazines cover price, but back in 2007 The Mail On Sunday in the UK was priced at its normal level. I would guess that the Daily Mirror will also be normal price on Sat 10th.

I'm not sure how newpapers get paid per copy but I get the impression that it's all to do with increased circulation (is that right?). A free Prince CD means they can justify an increase in their circulation (number of copies printed and distributed) and presumably charge wholesalers more. After that I guess they don't give a damn whether the man on the street actually buys up all the copies that day. So they've paid Prince up front based on a forecast increased circulation.

Well that all sounds feasible in my head but I'm no newspaper magnate, so feel free to shoot me down in flames

KeithyT said:

I can't comment on the magazines cover price, but back in 2007 The Mail On Sunday in the UK was priced at its normal level. I would guess that the Daily Mirror will also be normal price on Sat 10th.

I'm not sure how newpapers get paid per copy but I get the impression that it's all to do with increased circulation (is that right?). A free Prince CD means they can justify an increase in their circulation (number of copies printed and distributed) and presumably charge wholesalers more. After that I guess they don't give a damn whether the man on the street actually buys up all the copies that day. So they've paid Prince up front based on a forecast increased circulation.

Well that all sounds feasible in my head but I'm no newspaper magnate, so feel free to shoot me down in flames

Wasn't P.E. promoted as being "given away" with The Mail on Sunday? Opposed to "for a special price" or something? (Seal did the same thing, I believe, as a side note.) I wonder if they pay Prince above what the normal circulation is, knowing he might generate more sales. If The Mail sells 3 million a day, and with a free Prince CD it sells 4 million, would Prince get a cut of that extra million papers sold? It'd be nice to know, but the US will pay for it in stores anyway.

2freaky4church1 said:

Pretty clever of him to make deals with all those different magazines, who all made separate deals with him. You know he will make major bank because of all the deals. Instead of just using one newspaper or magazine he uses several--it also is a good way to promote the concerts. So P will see this big burst of money all at one time and it doesn't matter if the album is commercial or not. His clout is enough to make him money. But the best part is that he is doing it legit. Here's hoping that the new music fits the savvy. Crossing toes.

He made more on Emancipation than he ever did on Purple Rain. Prince has been a good business man for some time now.

cover prices will not increase - that is revenue for retailers - this is about increased distribution ofthe titles (Daily Mail increased circulation by 500K+) and thus how much extra they can create in advertising revenues and anything they can get from PR. This is what will pay Prince's fees and improve their revenues in a tough market

prince has clout - if he didn't - titles would not do this. while he does not sell records like he did - he does sell concert tickets, which is where the real money is today in the music industry

2004 - american musicology tour sold more tickets than any other us tour that year (inlcuding Madonna)

2006 - vegas residency

2007 - 21 nights at the O2 - still the record and something many have tried to follow

why? because he has an unrivalled back catalogue and continues to be critically and publically acclaimed as one of the best/ the best live performer of his generation/ever

yes he has burned bridges - who hasn't - was he wise? who knows?

is he as relevant/cutting edge as he was when younger - no - but he is now 50+. but when he was relevant/cutting edge, were there any relevant/cutting edge 50+ artists - no

go figure.....!

ernestsewell said:

It's not a new idea though. He did it three years (almost to the week and day) with Planet Earth. He did it with Musicology on the tour.

It doesn't make him a decent businessman. The Lotusflow3r fiasco, one of many, still stings some consumers who, rightly so, feel ripped off.

His biggest money will come from the US distribution when it hits retail store shelves as just a regular CD. However, the European deal is good to get it out in large quantities, in an easier fashion, because of the complexities of foreign distribution by an Americna artist sometimes. The money won't be THAT big. If the magazines aren't selling for a higher price than normal, then either Prince is doing it for free to get the music out, or the magazine is taking a cut somewhere to pay Prince. However, as a distributor, they should be paid. Distrubtors don't pay the artist to put it out, they share the profits. So I wonder if the newspapers or magazines will have a higher price, in order to pay Prince, IF that's what is going to happen.

His clout is shit w/ a lot of people. People used to want to work with him, but when he started throwing fits, and burning bridges, then they keep their distance. Prince doesn't have the business clout with people. He can't just walk into a record company and say "put this out" and they'll do it. They just don't. Long gone are the days where Prince can "just pee on a record and sell a million copies".

mattosgood said:

is he as relevant/cutting edge as he was when younger - no - but he is now 50+. but when he was relevant/cutting edge, were there any relevant/cutting edge 50+ artists - no

If you mean relevant in regards to the Billboard Hot 100/Pop Charts.....

mattosgood said:

cover prices will not increase - that is revenue for retailers - this is about increased distribution ofthe titles (Daily Mail increased circulation by 500K+) and thus how much extra they can create in advertising revenues and anything they can get from PR. This is what will pay Prince's fees and improve their revenues in a tough market

prince has clout - if he didn't - titles would not do this. while he does not sell records like he did - he does sell concert tickets, which is where the real money is today in the music industry

2004 - american musicology tour sold more tickets than any other us tour that year (inlcuding Madonna)

2006 - vegas residency

2007 - 21 nights at the O2 - still the record and something many have tried to follow

why? because he has an unrivalled back catalogue and continues to be critically and publically acclaimed as one of the best/ the best live performer of his generation/ever

yes he has burned bridges - who hasn't - was he wise? who knows?

is he as relevant/cutting edge as he was when younger - no - but he is now 50+. but when he was relevant/cutting edge, were there any relevant/cutting edge 50+ artists - no

go figure.....!

He's not gluing his back catalog to the front of The Mirror either.

not sure what 'cutting edge' is

but what I meant charts, critics, buzz, Dirty Mind, 1999, Purple Rain, Sign 'o' the times, tours, played in sweaty/dirty clubs and fills the dance floor

Spinlight said:

mattosgood said:

is he as relevant/cutting edge as he was when younger - no - but he is now 50+. but when he was relevant/cutting edge, were there any relevant/cutting edge 50+ artists - no

If you mean relevant in regards to the Billboard Hot 100/Pop Charts.....

[Edited 7/1/10 10:46am]