Music retailers in the United Kingdom are in a tizzy over the giveaway of Prince's new 10-track CD "Planet Earth" in the Mail newspaper over the weekend, weeks before its official launch
on July 24.
"The artist formerly known as Prince should know that with behavior like this, he will soon be the artist formerly available in record stores," says Paul Quirk, co-chairman of
the Entertainment Retailers Association.
The practice of "covermounts", where newspapers strive to lure readers with DVDs and CDs, is used widely in the industry at a time when many
newspapers are struggling to keep readers amid the distractions of online news and entertainment--but admittedly not at this level. Stephen Miron, the Mail's managing director, says the
newspaper can help retailers -- who are "living in the old days" -- to enhance their business.
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