Sony's "Think Again" stunt

[Paula]

The release of "Think Again" is postponed to August 6 now, but on the Dutch mailinglist I read that since this week with the new Bruce Springsteen album you'll get a copy of the "Think Again" single for free. I my opinion there's an upside and a downside with this stunt. Upside is that many people will get the single now and may consider buying the album after its release in September. Downside is that those give-aways most likely won't count as sold items, which means that they also won't be part of the amount of singles which have to be sold to get into the charts. And I also don't know if Venice will receive their royalties, 'cause the singles are given away and not sold. Anyone knows more about how this works? Okay, this is the scoop for now, as soon as possible I'm gonna get myself a copy of the single. And even if it's free while purchasing the new Bruce Springsteen, I most definitely won't mind paying the 5 euros for it ;)

Paula

[Was Peter]

Hi Paula,
I could be wrong, but the way Kipp explained it to me, it works like this. If you buy the Think Again single, you get a discount coupon for the new Bruce Springsteen release. I think it ends up being cheaper to do this, than if you just buy the Springsteen CD. Hopefully, this will get more people to hear Venice, and also give them credit for sales.

[rene]

Mmmm... I bought the new Venice-single... Costed me 19 Euros (about $19) which I thought was pretty expenisve, but hey: I got the new Springsteen-album with it for free! ;-)

[nikkelenkuijper]

Where have you bought this single, because as fas as I know it's not released yet.

[Paula]

Aaah, so it's the other way around? Anyways, I love Venice, so I'm gonna buy the single. Even if I have to pay the 19 euro Rene was talking about. And... I also have almost the whole Bruce Springsteen catalogue on CD (about 10 albums plus the special "Tracks" 4CDs edition in a book), so needless to say I also love this guys music ;) Gonna give The Music Store a call this morning and if they also have the single in stock already I'm immediately gonna jump on my bike to make the 20-minute ride to Heerenveen and fetch it!!

Paula

[Paula]

Already heard several live versions and the studio version of "Think Again", and several live versions of "Not Down Anymore" but from today on I'm also able to listen to the final cut of "Not Down Anymore". I'm so happy!! ;) The Music Store in Heerenveen doesn't know anything about the Sony stunt, so I just had to pay 5 euros for the single. I don't mind, but it's pretty weird though. The owner will get in touch with the distributor to get some explanation about it all. Yesterday he had received the two copies he ordered of the single. When I asked why only two copies he said that the single business is very 'tricky'. If the singles won't get sold he won't get a refund by sending them back to the distributor. Good thing is that if one or both singles are sold the computer automatically will order one or two new copies so the store will always have two copies in stock. Of the album he will order more than two copies, 'cause people will buy an album much sooner than a single. Weirdest thing is that the album wasn't in the computer yet. But he promised me that he will order several copies of the album as soon as it appears in the computer as a release.

Paula

[rene]

The Springsteen / Venice promo-stunt is only at the record stores of Plato; all Plato-stores have received about 25 singles to give away with The Rising.

[Paula]

So, you say 'given away'? That means those copies won't count as sold items. Hope the guys will get their share though...
The guy of the Music Store in Heerenveen told me the second the barcode of the item gets scanned, which means the item gets sold, is the most important moment for the band, 'cause that really counts for the charts so he told me.
And which stores give you a discount coupon for Springsteen's "The Rising" then when you buy "Think Again"? It's so weird, all record stores are having different stunts here. But hey, as long as it helps to introduce Venice to a larger audience!! I've bought the single, but didn't buy Springsteen's album. It's on my wantlist though ;)

Paula

[nikkelenkuijper]

It's strange that you already could get the single, because Free Record Shop is saying it's released on August 6th. I will try the Music Store tomorrow also. I want it now:D

[Michael Lennon]

Hello everyone,
Thanks for being so concerned about us getting the credits, entering the charts, etc.
the free Venice single with purchase of the Springsteen CD will count as sales for us.
Also, it will turn lots of Springsteen fans on to Venice.
It is a win win situation.
Hope that answers your question.
See all soon.
Michael (Mark's brother.....etc.........)

[Paula]

That's a good thing to hear Michael! And... you're in the charts already!! In the Top 100 you guys are on 65 now, and that while the single is barely one week on sale! For the last couple of weeks I'm in a Venice-only state of mind. Have 6 Venice CDs in my multi-disc CD-player, incl. some CDRs of the July 2002 promotour. All broadcasted on Dutch radio. It's a blast!!

Paula