How Well Will the New Journey CD/DVD Package Sell?

[Voyager]

There definitely seems to be a lot of promotion and marketing going on with Journey's upcoming release of their new album "Revelations" that will be packaged with a live DVD and an album of re-recorded Journey classics with new singer Arnel Pineda. The three-disc package is going to sell for $11.88, which is definitely a great deal because most single CD's normally sell for that or more. Just how well do you think this new package will sell? Do you think it will be flying off the shelves? Will old and new Journey fans flock to WalMart to get their copy?

When I did some searching on Google regarding the new album, I came across a lot of forums discussing it. The majority of the people who posted replies were very negative regarding the idea of re-recording the classics. That seemed to be the biggest complaint about the new project. One guy even started a thread by saying, "Wow, they must really hate Steve Perry" after he posted the news of the re-recorded classics. Do you think this attitude will hurt the sales of the new package?

Does anybody know how many copies of "Arrival" have been sold to date?

[Rick]

The forum readers are a very small percentage of their target market. They'll make most of their sales from people that don't even know that Steve Perry isn't with the band anymore, and from Arnels countrymen. I believe the enthusiasm from Arnels countrymen is a big shot in the arm for Journey, and will drive a lot of sales that they otherwise wouldn't have realized.

[Voyager]

The forum readers are a very small percentage of their target market. They'll make most of their sales from people that don't even know that Steve Perry isn't with the band anymore, and from Arnels countrymen. I believe the enthusiasm from Arnels countrymen is a big shot in the arm for Journey, and will drive a lot of sales that they otherwise wouldn't have realized.

Do you think the untapped Asian market will push record sales over a half-million?

It seems that the Arrival album sales were pretty low last time I checked... around 200k maybe? I know at one point they resorted to giving the album away at concerts to try to boost its sales.

[RocknRoll]

I went with the million+.

It's getting radio play
The Ellen show and if they play After All The Years and Never Walk Away should definately get the homemakers who shop at Walmart
And then there is the price.
I'd expect some additional TV coverage as well with the new album and Cinderella story.

A lot of the skeptics will probably pick it up anyway out of curiosity. The fact that it is getting talked about is usually a good thing regardless of what they say. I think this is going to work for them.

[RocknRoll]

The forum readers are a very small percentage of their target market. They'll make most of their sales from people that don't even know that Steve Perry isn't with the band anymore, and from Arnels countrymen. I believe the enthusiasm from Arnels countrymen is a big shot in the arm for Journey, and will drive a lot of sales that they otherwise wouldn't have realized.

I agree. This will be a huge boost in sales.

Arrival didn't get near the publicity this line-up is getting. It's a shame since I do love the album. I think I remember something like sales around 350, but I could be wrong.

[Calbear94]

The forum readers are a very small percentage of their target market. They'll make most of their sales from people that don't even know that Steve Perry isn't with the band anymore, and from Arnels countrymen. I believe the enthusiasm from Arnels countrymen is a big shot in the arm for Journey, and will drive a lot of sales that they otherwise wouldn't have realized.

I agree. This will be a huge boost in sales.

Arrival didn't get near the publicity this line-up is getting. It's a shame since I do love the album. I think I remember something like sales around 350, but I could be wrong.

At 11.88, a 3-disc set is an incredible deal. The concert DVD is worth that price alone. I think it will do well....and alot of people will see Journey on tour this year. Even those that don't are bound to see the triple-bill advertised somewhere, and therefore at least be thinking about Journey. I don't expect 1 million in this day in age...CDs/DVDs are just too easily copied for that kind of sales to be reached by a classic rock band. I would say that 500,000 is a reasonable goal, however.

I think the simple fact is that unlike Arrival or Generations, Revelations is recognizably Journey from the very first listen. I honestly believe many, but not all, casual Journey fans will dig the new album. They will be more likely to recommend it to others than casual purchasers did Arrival, not to mention Generations (it's a good thing they gave that one away).

[Barb]

I think actually being ABLE to do live television promotion of the record will help a lot. Why wouldn't Jay Leno have them on and all the other late night hosts as well. This is a story made for Regis & Kelly too.

I think the success of this package might surprise us all if they can get the right promotion and exposure.

[The Sushi Hunter]

First off, I said this back in Nov/Dec when the news was fresh about AP. Many of you may be surprised that the overall sale of this album in the Philippines is going to be very dissappointing, I believe, even though there will be overall more people with the album over there then perhaps in the U.S. Simply because bootlegging is a hot commodity over there. I still remember getting older albums on cassette while living there and you could actually hear lint hitting the needle from when they were copying the album off a dirty "master" vinyl record and onto CD's and cassettes. The album covers were also shitty reproductions as well, looked like they were done on those vintage ditto machines we had back in school or something. They looked very three dimentional where you would think putting on a pair of 3-D glasses would make it look better.

What will happen is a few thousand or so albums will make their way into the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea and Singapore, places like that and then will be mass produced and sold for pennies on the dollar. I remember back in the 80's I could get an album in the Philippines for something like 50 pesos each. Nothing's changed since then and this is definitely going to go on with the new Journey album, but more so because AP is on the album. This is the sad reality of it over in dirt poor countries. Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore isn't poor but they will mass produce bootlegs to send over to the poor countries to make some money since the geographical location between them is very convenient.

About Journey fans purchasing the album. I would say that it's obvious most will, because there are three of the main players on it....Bassist, Guitarist, and keyboardist. A true Journey fan wouldn't let AP stop them from purchasing it. If it did, their love for the band is merely cosmetic.

[Voyager]

About Journey fans purchasing the album. I would say that it's obvious most will, because there are three of the main players on it....Bassist, Guitarist, and keyboardist. A true Journey fan wouldn't let AP stop them from purchasing it. If it did, their love for the band is merely cosmetic.

I agree with the rest of your post, but I'm not so sure about this part of it. There were many "true" Journey fans who did not purchase Arrival but would probably still go to their concerts. You also have the "true" Steve Perry fans who don't believe the band is "Journey" without him in the lineup.

I do know that all of the higher-priced $125/seat tickets (8,000) are completely sold out for the Saint Louis show in September - which is pretty good for being four months away still. The venue holds 20,000 and they will probably sell out. I think Journey will do very well this year... probably about the best they could possibly do without Perry. I have to give them credit - they are making the best of a bad situation (i.e. Perry refusing to sing).

[amaron]

More than 250k, less than 750k.

[Allied Forces]

As a bit of an outsider, it's hard to say. Just keep in mind that all the gods have to fall in place for any older band to sell these days. Wish you all luck. Just enjoy the new music as I will if Triumph records anything.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think the simple fact is that unlike Arrival or Generations, Revelations is recognizably Journey from the very first listen.

Based on what?
The lead single off Arrival, "All the Way", featured Augeri doing his best Perry, even right down to the pattented Same Cooke whoah-o-whoa's.

If "Revelation" makes some bank, it will be because of Walmart's doing.
Not because the band traded one soundalike for another.

[Voyager]

More than 250k, less than 750k.

Whoops - I though for sure I had put a 500k option on the poll.

[texafana]

It doesn't matter as far as Journey is concerned. They've already been paid from Wal-Mart. Now, it's all up to Wal-Mart and how they push it. If all they do is push the album on their website and in their stores, expect low sales, but again, I'm sure Neal doesn't give a flying fk if it sells 1 or a million.

[Moose]

Anyone who picked 1,000,000 must have some serious drugs....could you share some?

[wednesday's child]

I'll just focus on a supposed "Filipino"market in the US.
For a time, I was part of one, in southside Chicago.

There are nearly a million legal-immigrant Filipino HOUSEHOLDS (not individuals) in the US.*
They know about Journey's new singer, but NOT from radio spots, or from forums like this.
Even from heavyweight media outlets like Ellen or YouTube take a backseat to
TFC and its rival "Filipino" cable channels.

Buy spots on those cable outlets to inform the market, and the units will move.
Simply announce the new Journey album "Revelation", and make sure a snippet of NWA is used.

Don't oversell it as "Journey featuring Arnel Pineda" because it can come off as reeeeaaaally patronizing...

That market already knows about Arnel, and have natural inclination for melodic rock.
(As I said before, Journey NEVER left Philippine airwaves), but that same market
largely DOESN'T know a new album is coming out, nor what a bargain it is.
They don't even know it's to be had from WalMart.

There's really a lot of work that needs to be done.

wech


*per Philippine NCSO, 2002

[Allied Forces]

I think the simple fact is that unlike Arrival or Generations, Revelations is recognizably Journey from the very first listen.

Based on what?
The lead single off Arrival, "All the Way", featured Augeri doing his best Perry, even right down to the pattented Same Cooke whoah-o-whoa's.

If "Revelation" makes some bank, it will be because of Walmart's doing.
Not because the band traded one soundalike for another.

Spot on. Wow.

Journey peeps, this is the 2nd or 3rd soundalike?

Triumph replaced Rik once, I have been through it too.

[jrnyjetster]

We are talking WORLDWIDE sales here, correct?

[The Sushi Hunter]

We are talking WORLDWIDE sales here, correct?

Good question. But I'm thinking worldwide. Problem is, Wal-Mart isn't world wide....or is it? I have no clue, hell I've never even been to one.....yet. I'll take the plung when going out to get the album. Heard there was one 13 miles south of where I am. I'm sure I'll find it, all I got to do is follow the welfare train and it will lead me to it.

[ttango1]

2.4 Million Filipinos living in America.

[The Sushi Hunter]

2.4 Million Filipinos living in America.

Yeah, and I know about 50 of them personnally myself first hand and not one of them knows anything I was talking about when I mentioned Arnel Pineda and the band Journey. They pretty much just look at me like I'm from outter space or something when I'm talking about it. But I'll give you credit that all of the Filipino's I know are over 40 years old, have careers, kids, family's, tons of problems to deal with on a daily basis and no time at all to dick with music. So perhaps the younger, single generation of Pinoy's will make up the Journey album sales.

[WykkedSensation]

We are talking WORLDWIDE sales here, correct?

Good question. But I'm thinking worldwide. Problem is, Wal-Mart isn't world wide....or is it? I have no clue, hell I've never even been to one.....yet. I'll take the plung when going out to get the album. Heard there was one 13 miles south of where I am. I'm sure I'll find it, all I got to do is follow the welfare train and it will lead me to it.

WalMart IS worldwide.
Over in the UK, it is part of the Asda chain, which is huge in the UK.
However, i have been into an Asda/WalMart store in the UK just last week, and was told that they are NOT stocking the new Journey release.

[Andrew]

WalMart IS worldwide.
Over in the UK, it is part of the Asda chain, which is huge in the UK.
However, i have been into an Asda/WalMart store in the UK just last week, and was told that they are NOT stocking the new Journey release.

WalMart is North America. They have other partners around the world, but WalMart is 100% American only.

The album has been licensed to Frontiers Records for Europe/UK and at this time there is no licensing in palce for Japan/Asia/Australia.

[WykkedSensation]

WalMart IS worldwide.
Over in the UK, it is part of the Asda chain, which is huge in the UK.
However, i have been into an Asda/WalMart store in the UK just last week, and was told that they are NOT stocking the new Journey release.

WalMart is North America. They have other partners around the world, but WalMart is 100% American only.

The album has been licensed to Frontiers Records for Europe/UK and at this time there is no licensing in palce for Japan/Asia/Australia.

From Wikipedia...

Wal-Mart operates in Mexico as Walmex, in the UK as ASDA, and in Japan as Seiyu. It has wholly-owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Wal-Mart's investments outside North America have had mixed results: its operations in South America and China are highly successful.

[Vladan]

WalMart IS worldwide.
Over in the UK, it is part of the Asda chain, which is huge in the UK.
However, i have been into an Asda/WalMart store in the UK just last week, and was told that they are NOT stocking the new Journey release.

WalMart is North America. They have other partners around the world, but WalMart is 100% American only.

The album has been licensed to Frontiers Records for Europe/UK and at this time there is no licensing in palce for Japan/Asia/Australia.

From Wikipedia...

Wal-Mart operates in Mexico as Walmex, in the UK as ASDA, and in Japan as Seiyu. It has wholly-owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Wal-Mart's investments outside North America have had mixed results: its operations in South America and China are highly successful.

Man, anyone can update Wikipedia, you just can't take that site seriously. Walmart is still American.

[Gin and Tonic Sky]

WalMart IS worldwide.
Over in the UK, it is part of the Asda chain, which is huge in the UK.
However, i have been into an Asda/WalMart store in the UK just last week, and was told that they are NOT stocking the new Journey release.

WalMart is North America. They have other partners around the world, but WalMart is 100% American only.

The album has been licensed to Frontiers Records for Europe/UK and at this time there is no licensing in palce for Japan/Asia/Australia.

From Wikipedia...

Wal-Mart operates in Mexico as Walmex, in the UK as ASDA, and in Japan as Seiyu. It has wholly-owned operations in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Wal-Mart's investments outside North America have had mixed results: its operations in South America and China are highly successful.

Man, anyone can update Wikipedia, you just can't take that site seriously. Walmart is still American.

walmarts wholly owned overseas operations are completely unlike their USA stores, in terms of products (and business model). You wont see the Journey album at any foreign Walmart partner stores

[sniper16]

based on recent sales figures for th us if they run some cable commercials, do some tv i think they could easily get close to 1 mil in the us. would be courious what the reo sold in walmart. if they were smart they would get vh1 classic to play the old concert videos , i saw on metal mania they played the new def lep and the new motley vid, so if the could get they to do a special like frontiers and beyond, or ROR live and a new video afterwards, people ie not us fanatics, would know its out.
this worked really well for kiss on the kissology dvd's

[Jeremey]

I don't know how much will sell, but I know how much will ship...Wal Mart has a LOT of confidence that this record will sell.

[Red13JoePa]

More than REO but less than The Eagles.

I'm HOPING for the Gold pastures that haven't been seen since TBF went Platinum.

[Voyager]

I don't know how much will sell, but I know how much will ship...Wal Mart has a LOT of confidence that this record will sell.

I'm guessing they probably gave Journey a lot of money up front for it - and it has to sell big for them to make a profit.