Journey, WalMart and Target

[Carlitto H@kk]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

[Scarab Pilot]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

It seems like they are making an effort. I am not sure what Jeff was doing here in KC last week, but he mentioned they were here for a corporate event. I wish it would have been here at Sprint, but it seems like they are trying to build up some momentum.

Glad to see it happen.

[Carlitto H@kk]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

It seems like they are making an effort. I am not sure what Jeff was doing here in KC last week, but he mentioned they were here for a corporate event. I wish it would have been here at Sprint, but it seems like they are trying to build up some momentum.

Glad to see it happen.

I think this may have been why they were in your neck of the woods.
Maybe passing thru???

[Scarab Pilot]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

It seems like they are making an effort. I am not sure what Jeff was doing here in KC last week, but he mentioned they were here for a corporate event. I wish it would have been here at Sprint, but it seems like they are trying to build up some momentum.

Glad to see it happen.

I think this may have been why they were in your neck of the woods.
Maybe passing thru???

Could have been just a layover stop here from St. Louis before he headed back home.

[StevePerryHair]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

That's interesting. It would be good strategy! I learned something this week from my brother-in-law this week that surprised me. He works for a pharmaceutical company and every year for their world wide corporate gathering, they hire a band to play for them all. There are about 2,000 or more of them. This year they tried to get Bon Jovi, but their price was too high. They ended up with Huey Lewis and the News and Chicago. Last year Styx performed for them. I didn't realize these bands did corporate events like this. So, it's hard to say the motive, but it does make sense

[larryfromnextdoor]

i think its really cool.. plus the band doesnt play for free,, its big money and big publicity.. 2 years ago Honda hired Kiss to play at their once a year corporate events,, pretty cool gigs if you ask me.. AND YOU DID

[Scarab Pilot]

Well...Journey has always been 'Corporate Rock', right


/sarcasm

[jrnychick]

I just got through reading that thread at BT, and posted my 2 cents. I think it's a fantastic idea!!! It's a great way for Journey to get their music out there to the general public wandering through the store.

I think the band has been doing some corporate gigs for a few years now. Too bad my company isn't big enough--I'd hire them!

[ohsherrie]

Sounds like something HH would have done to me. Get the music out to the people who sell it.

[Michael Leigh]

There's a thread over in the BT General Forums
about the band recently playing at a MalMart event last week.
And aside from some hunorous respones as to what this might
mean for Journey's future plans.
(I predicted WalMart would be carrying the Neal Schon
Lavishly Purple Menswear Collection next year )

Jeff popped in and had this to say...

"Without too much detail, Wal-Mart & Target are the 2 highest selling CD retailers (not including internet or downloads of course) in the US now, outselling every major record store chain & then some. Without even having to do the math, it's obviously a good move to add this to the future of our new CD sales, especially when it comes to promotion which is KING in getting the word out on new music.
That said, there were over 5000 in attendance in a big arena, big concert setting stage & the place rocked for a corporate crowd!'

Has the band been doing these kind of events over the past few years?
Or can this be a sign that the interviews will hold true
and that Management is now firmly intent on trying to market/publicize/hype
Journey again to the mainstream public???

Thoughts???

And please, no remarks on WalMart and the way they 'supposedly' treat their employees
and destroy every small-town shop owner they come across.
This is strictly a "Journey Business/Publicity" venture question.

Corporate type events are common among entertainers these days.
There are lots of artists doing these kinds of events including KISS,Rod Stewart, Earth, Wind and Fire and many more.Generally, these gigs pay BIG,BIG MONEY and are a tax write off for the company!!
In Baltimore a few years ago, Journey did a corporate gig for the Rite Aid corporation at the Convention center.Styx and REO followed suit the next year at the arena.They are limited to only employees and corporate execs.

When I saw your post, I wasn't going to bust on Wal Mart but the customer base they generally attract.
At least in Maryland, any Walmart you go into is filled to the brim with folks that are usually dentally,hygenically and proportionately challanged.

[Melissa]

One thing I've noticed Target, Wal-Mart, & Best Buy do also is release "exclusive" copies of certain cd's too, each store will have it's own version with bonus tracks, so there are literally 3 different copies...I've wondered if that boosts sales a bit at all, & if some people might actually buy all 3 different copies.

[Ratgirl]

One thing I've noticed Target, Wal-Mart, & Best Buy do also is release "exclusive" copies of certain cd's too, each store will have it's own version with bonus tracks, so there are literally 3 different copies...I've wondered if that boosts sales a bit at all, & if some people might actually buy all 3 different copies.

Def Leppard did that... quite a few people went out and bought all 3 of them.
Of course with that in mind they also had a contest for those bought them and showed proof of purchase.
(of course I fergot what the prizes were)

[StevePerryHair]

One thing I've noticed Target, Wal-Mart, & Best Buy do also is release "exclusive" copies of certain cd's too, each store will have it's own version with bonus tracks, so there are literally 3 different copies...I've wondered if that boosts sales a bit at all, & if some people might actually buy all 3 different copies.

Def Leppard did that... quite a few people went out and bought all 3 of them.
Of course with that in mind they also had a contest for those bought them and showed proof of purchase.
(of course I fergot what the prizes were)

Grand prize winner got a meet and greet with the band, guitar signed by them in person, and got to listen to a sound check!

[Carlitto H@kk]

When I saw your post, I wasn't going to bust on Wal Mart but the customer base they generally attract.
At least in Maryland, any Walmart you go into is filled to the brim with folks that are usually dentally,hygenically and proportionately challanged.

Yea but if they can buy cds, concert tickets and
have phone service long enuff to call their local radio
station to request new Journey the Mission Accomplished.

BTW, I shop at WalMart alot

[larryfromnextdoor]

Well...Journey has always been 'Corporate Rock', right


/sarcasm

THAT is my kinda humor, i wish i would have said it ,,

[jrnychick]

When I saw your post, I wasn't going to bust on Wal Mart but the customer base they generally attract.
At least in Maryland, any Walmart you go into is filled to the brim with folks that are usually dentally,hygenically and proportionately challanged.

Yea but if they can buy cds, concert tickets and
have phone service long enuff to call their local radio
station to request new Journey the Mission Accomplished.

BTW, I shop at WalMart alot

Hehe... I am in Wal Mart at least once a week. Why pay $1.60+ for a can of dog food, when you can get the same can for $0.94 at Wal Mart? When your dogs eat 21 cans of food a week, you do the math! And I am not dentally, hygenically, or proportionally challenged. The hygenically challenged part may have been questionable one night last summer when I ran into Wal Mart to buy several cans of tomato sauce after my dog got sprayed in the face by a skunk!

[Clasicrockldy]

Wal-Mart gets 99% of my shopping dollar, since I am on disability, and I need to get more for my money. I am not prorportionally, hygenically, or dentally challenged either.

[ohsherrie]

Walmart is my favorite place to shop. I hate shopping and Walmart usually means one stop for everything.

I have a personal shopper for my clothes. She's also known as my daughter.

[Granny]

Wal-Mart gets 99% of my shopping dollar, since I am on disability, and I need to get more for my money. I am not prorportionally, hygenically, or dentally challenged either.

CRL..I'm not challenged either and when I go to Walmart my husband always asks " where the hell were you" b/c I take so long in there looking for all the bargains on hair products, dog supplies(toys) , dog biscuits, dog treats, soda,
crackers, rugs, towels, etc are much cheaper than the department stores..oh, and stamper supples for my cards,
just tons of stuff....I refuse to pay top dollar when you can get the same stuff cheaper....the Dollar store is great for paper products.....I do agree a lot of the customers do look like that tho'....

[Red13JoePa]

I think they should come play in my tv room next Labor Day weekend, it would help fire me up for Penn State's opening game. Me, my dad and my daughter'll be there.

Sorry, Jeff NO Pittsburgh Stillas paraphanelia allowed, but Neal can, repeat CAN wear the Penn State jersey he's sporting in the Red13 sleeve.

[Big J]

I got no beef with Wal Mart whatsoever.

Honestly, and maybe it's just here and its different elsewhere...but I see more people working there that were given the opportunity to work than I see anywhere else. Elderly, challenged in some way, etc. They're working. I think Wal Mart deserves a little credit for that because that says a lot more to me about equal opportunity than any of these other chains their size or close do.

As for promoting music...they're Tower Records now. The old days are gone. Their CD selection sucks. But they're the giant now. Journey would be nuts not to get in on that if they're able.

And Wal Mart's store brand beef jerky (in the blue bag) is like crack cocaine. I'm out right now and I'm just not functioning.

Oh and I have all my teeth, fingers etc. I'm actually downright cultured. Make an okay living.

[jrnyman28]

Sammy Hagar made some comments about Corporate Gigs which were posted on the Front Page of MR. Very interesting. VERY good money for one show.

Journey has been playing these for years. But I see a good connection with WalMart since Azoff has already worked out a deal for the Eagles with them.

[ohsherrie]

Sammy Hagar made some comments about Corporate Gigs which were posted on the Front Page of MR. Very interesting. VERY good money for one show.

Journey has been playing these for years. But I see a good connection with WalMart since Azoff has already worked out a deal for the Eagles with them.

Hi Dave! I'm so glad to see you here.

Yep, it is a good connection. It looks like management has gotten off their asses. If the music industry is all corporate then they need to take advantage of it and get the music out there.

[Scarab Pilot]

And Wal Mart's store brand beef jerky (in the blue bag) is like crack cocaine

Agreed!

[Clasicrockldy]

And Wal Mart's store brand beef jerky (in the blue bag) is like crack cocaine

Agreed!

I haven't tried Wal-Mart's brand of beef jerky. I always buy Jack Link's. That is addicting as well !

[Michael Leigh]

When I saw your post, I wasn't going to bust on Wal Mart but the customer base they generally attract.
At least in Maryland, any Walmart you go into is filled to the brim with folks that are usually dentally,hygenically and proportionately challanged.

Yea but if they can buy cds, concert tickets and
have phone service long enuff to call their local radio
station to request new Journey the Mission Accomplished.

BTW, I shop at WalMart alot

Hehe... I am in Wal Mart at least once a week. Why pay $1.60+ for a can of dog food, when you can get the same can for $0.94 at Wal Mart? When your dogs eat 21 cans of food a week, you do the math! And I am not dentally, hygenically, or proportionally challenged. The hygenically challenged part may have been questionable one night last summer when I ran into Wal Mart to buy several cans of tomato sauce after my dog got sprayed in the face by a skunk!

Don't know how many of you have ever been to Maryland, but there is a very proportionate part of the population that are very..."uncultured" .LOTS of engine blocks in the front yards if you know what I mean.

[Tom Jrnyfn]

Not sure about others, but our Walmart music dept blows..It's not a mega Walmart though..

[ohsherrie]

Don't know how many of you have ever been to Maryland, but there is a very proportionate part of the population that are very..."uncultured" .LOTS of engine blocks in the front yards if you know what I mean.

Hey Mike, I'm in south central VA, believe me, I know what you mean. The thing is, here, we're so rural that Walmart is everyone's convenient one stop shopping favorite. A much broader customer demographic.

[Andrew]

A few weeks back the #1 album in the USA got to that position after selling a mere 61,000 copies.

With the support of WalMart and the like, Journey could do that easly with a single at radio and momentum from live TV appearances for their new record.

So I say embrace where the consumers are and go for it.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Don't know how many of you have ever been to Maryland, but there is a very proportionate part of the population that are very..."uncultured" .LOTS of engine blocks in the front yards if you know what I mean.

Hey Mike, I'm in south central VA, believe me, I know what you mean. The thing is, here, we're so rural that Walmart is everyone's convenient one stop shopping favorite. A much broader customer demographic.

I lived in Hampton, Va for 10 years (1990-2000, stationed at Langley AFB)
and I was literally AFFRAID to go to the local Walmart.
Scary place to be, especilly at night.