madcomments

Welcome to the jingle

Posted in Advertising, Marketing, Latest reporters' blogs, Russell Parsons October 15th, 2008 by Russell Parsons

In the 14 years since Axl Rose has been procrastinating over the making and release of new Guns N’ Roses album “Chinese Democracy” the world has witnessed many changes including the slow introduction of some democratic ideals in China.

In addition to a panoply of political and social evolutionary events, the music industry itself has experienced wave after wave of change including the rise of illegal and authorised downloading and its affect on physical sales of music and the rise and fall of many a musical trend and genre.

It is perhaps not surprising then that that Universal Music should be reportedly seeking an advertising agency to promote the release of Rose’s (still?) much-anticipated magnum opus.

Repudiating the normal practise of creating campaigns in-house, the music behemoth has contacted agencies to discuss activity ahead the album’s 25 November release.

Of course the myriad will he wont he get around to recording the album and, more importantly bloomin releasing the thing stories over the last 14-years have already generated over a decades worth of publicity for the album.

The shifting music business landscape has forced labels and artists to try previously unthought-of methods of promotion - see Radiohead and Price’s recent benevolence in effectively offering their music for free – so it will be interesting to see what the appointed agency comes up with.

The Daily Telegraph in an incongruous partnership with the (once) febrile shock-rockers for an album giveaway? G N’ R official music partner of the FA Premier League?

Dr Pepper has already offered its two penneth worth this year by promising to give a free can of the soft drink to everyone in America if the album is released anytime this year. Perhaps AG Barr could be persuaded to match the offer in Scotland?