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Sony BMG releases first USB album
Source: MW
Friday January 25, 2008

By Ben Cardew

Sony BMG is to issue its first commercial USB release, as the format gathers steam.

On Monday (January 28) Scream Aim Fire, by rock band Bullet For My Valentine will be released in a USB format, the first to be issued by Sony BMG UK.

Recent months have seen USB release from all three of the other majors, as well as leading indie XL.

The USB format of Scream Aim Fire (which is released on the same day in traditional formats), comes as a special Bullet-shaped USB and key-ring, specifically designed to visually fit the rest of the band’s merchandise.

It features a 1GB memory, the 12 tracks of the album, a pdf of the album booklet, exclusive Wallpapers and a 15 minute track- by- track documentary. It will retail at approx £25.99.

“We believe there is an opportunity to work with USB as a format, to make them an engaging, visually appealing and highly desirable piece of merchandise,” says Sony BMG business development manager Gareth Deakin. “We see this as the deluxe edition of the album and demand for it has reflected that.

“We’re delighted with how it has come out, the band love it, and we think their fans will too.”

Meanwhile, Sony BMG has announced a new deal Opendisc, which involves the implementation of Opendisc technology and consumer marketing services to the major’s Top 30 international priority releases and key domestic projects in Europe.

Opendisc says that it will help Sony BMG to make the CD experience more attractive for their consumers, to target opinion leaders and maximize marketing efficiency, to communicate directly with the consumer, and to create new consumer-centric revenue streams.

"Opendisc will help us to connect our artists with their fans in the digital space," says Sony BMG Europe senior director sales and marketing Christopher Moser. "Sony BMG Music is committed to provide consumers the best music experience including not only great music but also exclusive additional content and tailor-made services."

Opendisc founder and CEO Guillaume Doret says, "Opendisc transforms the physical CD into a digital platform used to connect the consumer with the artist's exclusive online hub. Through this successful technique we are very proud to form a partnership with Sony BMG and to be able to help them better know, and target their pro-active consumers."