One of the more discussed issues in the music industry right now is whether or not single sales in advance of the full CD release cannibalize for album sales or actually feed greater demand. Personally we think that in an era more diversified media landscape, P2P and single song downloads the debate will become increasingly pointless.
But just in case you still care – and many obviously do – we are struck by a
suggestion floated in a NY Times piece and amplified by commentator Bob Lefstez: RELEASE THE SINGLE AND CD ON THE SAME DAY. It certainly seems to have worked for Island/Def Jam and the impressive first week sales of Ne-Yo. (But then again Victory didn’t put Hawthorne Heights up on iTunes ever and it’s first week sales were only OK.) .
Lefsetz took the thought a step further suggesting reminding us of how "…Steve Jobs announces products during his speeches and says they’re available RIGHT NOW, in Apple Stores? And then there’s a MASS EXODUS to buy up each and every item in inventory as soon as he stops speaking?"
How cool would it be if someone like Neil Young or the White Stripes went on TV and the net one night and announced that a much rumored CD would available be in stores the next morning?
Oh wait…never mind…It would never work….no one in this industry knows how to keep a secret.
