Is matching bands to brands with advertising on CD booklets a well thought out campaign to hedge the downturn in record sales?

Hypebot.com fueled a debate and asked its readers whether Mariah Carey’s “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” released on Sept. 15 – should include as part of Ms. Carey’s Album packaging a 34-page mini magazine, with ads from Elizabeth Arden, Angel Champagne, Carmen Steffen’s, Le Métier de Beauté and the Bahamas Board of Tourism?

Is this a questionable practice? Is the corporate cog digging music even deeper into the dark pit of advertising? Is the musician’s art being vandalized by the addition of paid sponsor ads littering the CD booklet alongside the liner notes and lyrics? Or, will this brainstorm idea makeup for lost revenue – and as one reader commented: “I see a trend here….. free = comes with ads, no matter how you slice it. I’m okay with that if it keeps the music free. We’ve had it good for too long and I’m not against getting the Artists paid.”

No doubt, corporate Mariah is getting paid, but alas so will “Mimi” – and if paid ads could help the independent artist pay for marketing, producing, and retailing their music, it might be a very interesting and useful concept. Again, time will tell.

Mariah Carey’s CD is gaining attention not only because of the ad controversy, but seems her beef with Eminem is heating up again. After the video for Obsessed featured Carey dressed as a deranged stalker and word has it was meant to portray Eminem – the rapper came back with a heated rush track “The Warning” – and if you’ve followed any of the music gossip out there, you’ve heard the whole story. This is buzz, the best in Viral Marketing – all publicity is good publicity, and the beef is brewing nicely between two of music’s biggest hitters: at the exact precise moment in anticipation of the CD launch!

Image source: www.topnews.in/people/mariah-carey

Recently a new type of technology called Spotify has been taking off online. This is from Sweden and it does live streaming of music.

Many are tired of wasting time uploading their CD’s to their computer, but how do you think the creator of Spotify feels, finding all that music? A little more difficult task…

Spotify is free, legal and quick. So, what will this make of the CD? The ever slowly dying CD industry is being suffocated by creations such as these. But many feel having the actual CD is a thrill. Looking at the album work, and actually physically holding it in ones hand. Are MP3 USB drives are next? Will ideas like this stifle things like Spotify? Will the moblie phone with built in iPod be the ultimate victor as the method people access and listen to music?

We are at a stage where there are many questions, but one thing is for sure, we are swiftly moving towards the death of the CD, and that means artists need to fully embrace alternative ways for people to get music if they don’t want to suddenly left high and dry when CD’s become the least popular format for music.

Pro Soul opens its doors today as a progressive, 21st century record label to combat the exploitation of artists by major label conglomerates. Led by music industry veteran, Jarome Matthew, Pro Soul’s approach of providing services to artists without taking the rights to their music or earnings will revolutionize the music industry, providing welcome relief to artists who are struggling to develop their career without professional help.

“Despite being perceived as the holy grail of the music industry, major label deals are accessible to very few artists. Unfortunately, the artists who sign these contracts often aren’t aware that the labels are taking advantage of them,” explains Jarome. “There is something wrong when a million selling, top 5 charting artist has to declare bankruptcy. Pro Soul is helping to put the power in the industry back where it belongs – in the hands of artists. The music industry has changed; the Internet allows music lovers to show how they want to consume music. Unlike the major labels, Pro Soul is embracing that change. It’s time to give both artists and fans what they want: accessible, high quality music and meaningful interaction. This is a wake up call for the industry; start living in the 21st century!”

Pro Soul’s official launch party is open to the public and will be held on January 25 at the Backstage Lounge in Vancouver.