The Rolling Stones and Best Buy have upset many a distributor out there with an exclusive deal to market the 4 DVD set of the Stones latest tour. Sales are predicted to be as big or bigger than the May 27 release of Atlantics "Led Zepplin DVD" which is a 10 times Platinum release according to the RIAA. It broke all sales records it first week out and currently has exceeded 1 million copies sold. The contraversial Stones deal will include the exclusive marketing of the enhanced DVD package for Best Buy, from the albums release on November 11 through at least the New Year. Leaving out the competition through the lucrative holiday season. The snubbed independants and retail chains are furious, a few are taking revenge to show their displeasure.
Longtime Rolling Stones tour promoter Michael Cohl, who represented the Rolling Stones in the "Four Flicks"/Best Buy deal, says the Stones went to Best Buy because of its marketing clout. "Music videos and music DVDs are often treated like a corner category at retail. But Best Buy had the best machine in place to get behind us and treat the release of 'Four Flicks' the way it deserves to be treated: like a major event." "Four Flicks" will be released through TGA Entertainment, a multifaceted entertainment company that served as the tour promoter for the Rolling Stones' 2002-03 Licks world tour. Best Buy is selling "Four Flicks" at $ 29.99 -- a remarkably low price for a new four-disc DVD set.
"Exclusive deals are a disservice to customers, because they result in disappointed customers who can't find the product anywhere else," says Dave Alder, Virgin Entertainment Group North America senior VP of product and marketing. "It's a short-sighted approach to marketing a new release." |
Retailers are showing that you don't bite the hand that feeds you . "The mistake some of these guys may be making is that a lot of retailers are like elephants that don't forget," said Mike Dreese, co-founder of Boston-based chain, Newbury Comics. Best Buy's two-week exclusive in 2001 for a U2 concert DVD caused Newbury to retaliate by doubling the fee it charged U2's record label for marketing any of its acts. Newbury ended up with about 15 thousand dollars in extra income. "In essence we issued a speeding ticket to them and they paid it," Dreese said.
On a positive note, let's give kudos to Sir Mick and the Rolling Stones for giving us 40 years of great Rock and Roll by the way! May they achieve 20 times Platinum with their Four Flicks album and let's hope all prior DVD sales records are shattered in the first week. You may like to take a minute, to visit Yahoo and read the last of the article that details the content and features of this new album. What are your thoughts on this type of product?
Source: news.yahoo.com
