7.3.11 Adam News & Info
Jul 2, 2011 23:32:31 GMT -5
Post by Q3 on Jul 2, 2011 23:32:31 GMT -5
Just cause I like this photo. Q.
Adam Lambert “Serial Killer”
7.3.11 by Q3
We’ll he’s done it again!! Seems like a day doesn’t go by when Adam isn’t killing someone somewhere. Just search on Twitter for @adam Lambert and “Kill” “died” “dead” “killer” – from his “killer album” to women dying from adamgisms, he is just leaving a trail of bodies in his wake!!!! Here is the latest dead fan.
Blaykorn: I wish either @ladygaga or @adamlambert would respond to me, or follow me. I love them both, so much. I'd literally die.
7.2.11 via Twitter for iPhone
Adamlambert: @blaykorn thanks for the support!!
10 minutes later via Twitter for iPhone in reply to Blaykorn
Blaykorn Blake Diton: I'm shaking with happiness, that was the best moment of my life. <3
Blaykorn Blake Diton @adamlambert oh my god you replied, I love you. I can't WAIT for your next album, you're such an inspiration
Blaykorn Blake Diton @runawaysu how could anyone not love him? He's so talented and down to earth. Best night of my life, thank you! <3
Here's an old song in honor of our favorite “killer”.
Note to universe: This was recorded in 1982 at the London Wembley Arena – can you arrange for Adam to play this arena, remodeled in 2006 and now with 12,500 seats – and sell out the show in under 7 minutes. Thanks in advance for your consideration.
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The Complete Package
7/3/2011 by NoAngel
So here we are, thirsting in a virtual Adam drought, desperately scanning the internet for any stray sighting or mention of news about whatever he is doing. Thank heck for a few kind-hearted collaborators throwing us a bone now and then, and a handful of flailworthy pics, and the amazing Russians with their bottomless bag of treats from Maxidrom. (Spasibo, btw! )
As impatient as I am, I know the wait will be worth it in the end. I’ve never been really great at puzzles, but I’m sure that all the little hints we’ve been given will make sense once we hear the music. Moreover, I think we will see a very coherent theme with Adam #2, one that will run consistently through the music on the album and in Adam’s visual presentation, and will also create a framework for this next era in Adam’s career. And while I do think that Adam #2 will be more accessible, I don’t think it will be mainstream.
Given the opportunity, Adam thinks in terms of a complete picture. He took a bunch of disparate songs from various sources and tied them together in a “glam” motif for the FYE album era. He created his own look to fit the theme, with glitter and flash and sparkle, and in interviews he consistently spoke of the glam mentality and how it related to his music, not necessarily song by song, but to the album as a whole. For GNT, Adam found a way to organize his songs to give us a story, not just a collection of individual songs.
This may be a quiet time for us, but Adam is working feverishly. Writing and recording, yes, but also thinking about how everything will fit together into a cohesive presentation for his next era. As a master of reinvention, I think he is spending as much energy thinking about whole package as he is the parts. He knows that once promo starts, Adam has to be ready to speak his message just as much as he has to be ready to sing his first single. He’s brilliant at interviews because he does his preparation and knows his speaking points, and as a result comes across as spontaneous and enthusiastic and articulate.
As for fears that Adam will go mainstream in order to achieve commercial success, I don’t think Adam is capable of mainstream. Adam is a rebel and a nonconformist at heart. “Realness” doesn’t mean middle-of-the-road and “More leather less glitter” doesn’t mean Adam is planning to sell out, or sell his soul for success. I am quite sure that Adam will continue to push buttons and push the envelope and push people out of their comfort zones. He’s not going to put out easily-digestible schlock. Maybe his message will be a little more subtle, but I think those who expect a toned-down Adam will be in for a shock. He’s had a year to reflect on not only his own life but on what is going on the world around him. His eyes have been opened to new perspectives. I have no idea what causes he will embrace, nor with what battles he will choose to align himself, but I’m pretty sure he will fight for what he believes in.
So I anticipate an album with a theme, and a first single that speaks to that theme. I expect a visual image, from hair to boots, which will support his message. I expect that Adam will speak out on what is important to him right now, and it will all fit. We’ll probably even have a ~gate to fit the theme. And before y’all flip out, I don’t mean that Adam is going to manufacture something fake or manipulate us. I just mean that the Universe works in funny ways around Adam, and events around him seem to be on-theme more often than not. And when the time comes, I expect Adam will create a concert that is a musical story.
I love Adam the strategist as much as I love Adam the singer. And while I might wish for a sneak peek at what’s to come, I’d really rather wait and see the complete package that comes out of that crazy brilliant head of his.
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The secrets of success promotion of TBD by Adam Lambert “unlocked” by the super ninjas of Adamtopia
7.3.11 by Q3
Last Friday, the members of Adamtopia participated in an experiment to determine if there really is “Wisdom in Crowds”.
Tomorrow, I will post an open letter to Adam and RCA with the implications of these ideas. But for now here are the results of the experiment. Reading the comments, all I can say is....
Here is an excerpt from the Brainstorming kick-off post from 7.1.11:
What if fans ruled the universe????
A Brainstorming Experiment
A Brainstorming Experiment
7.1.11 by Q3
In many ways, fans do rule the universe otherwise known as the music business. Without fans there would be no celebrities, no pop stars and no rock stars, no label executives, no program directors or radio, no MTV or VH1 or BET. And without fans (and professional critics), there would be a lot less unsolicited advice, Monday morning quarterbacking, and “expert” advice.
Fans have some really good ideas and some really bad ideas. And offer a lot of meaningless advice in between. But I wondered can a proper group of fans develop some wise advice. And as the Adam Storm clouds start to gather, I thought we would see if we can do some brainstorming.
…..
ATop Brainstorm
I’ve decided to kick off a bold experiment. I am hoping that you will all join in.
The question
Can ATop members create a promotional plan for Adam’s first single that will make it a hit? (I bet we can!)
The rules
There are no bad ideas. There may be some ideas that are better than others but the only way to get the best idea is if everyone adds to the brainstorming session. We can sort out the ideas later, but it will be no fun without a lot of ideas.
The schedule: Single released on 8.30.11, album on 11.8.11. The music video will be released on 8.27.11.
The song: Is an upbeat pop track and is potentially a hit. Don’t worry about what the single sounds like, marketing and promo teams rarely have any power in picking the single so don’t think we’re special. Trust me, it is a great song that is radio friendly.
Budget: We can only spend $1 million to market and promote the single. If we spend less, it is OK but we cannot be over budget. Whatever we do not spend, we can keep for other purposes, but we must create a plan that delivers a hit.
Promotional plan: The song (which we have not heard) is a pop song intended for CHR (Top 40/Pop) and HAC radio. We do not need to hear the song to create a promotional plan. The song can also be promoted on TV and online.
Support by the artist: Adam will do whatever we want to promote his song EXCEPT visit fans in their homes and have milk and cookies. (The cookies are dedicated to RCA Ed.) Adam is a mortal and cannot visit 600 radio stations personally.
Respect Adam: Adam has some definite ideas about his values, music, style and presentation; we must respect this or the artist will not be happy. And we want Adam to remain happy.
Social media and viral marketing: RCA’s research department tells me that this artist is pretty adept at social media and has a lot of Twitter followers. Social media is great and it is cheap. Throw in a few social media ideas and that will help stretch the budget and impress the execs. Oh, and it might actually work.
Music video: RCA has funded separately for the music video but you have to use part of the $1 million to build awareness and views of the video.
Adam is not Gaga or Rhianna (yet): This album may push Adam up to the top level of pop stars but he is not there yet. Be realistic. If you recommend that Adam do a 15-minute live performance segment on the VMA’s, it is a nice fantasy, but not realistic. So have fun, but do not get angry when someone comments that it is not realistic.
Be nice, have fun, it is a game: If someone posts something that you think is a wack idea, be nice when you critique it. If someone disagrees with you idea, try to make it better or move on to something else. And most of all, don’t forget that everyone here is an Adam fan – even if they do not think he will get to perform his new single at Buckingham Palace for David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney, and the Queen – broadcast live worldwide in a simultaneous satellite broadcast. [/quote]
The ideas
participant comments compiled by Q3. Compilation note: 99% of the following comments are verbatim.
My small contribution to the promotional strategy is the pic that I found while searching for Adam's screencapped tweets. I have no idea why it showed up, but yeah, that works for me:
Adam Lambert single blitz • a marketing strategy
Since Adam has multiple things going for him, I am going to craft a somewhat traditional (but aggressive) plan for the soon-to-be-megahit: "TBD."
Strengths of product:
• Vocal skill of artist
• Physical appeal of artist
• Song is GOOD
• Artist is excellent in print and broadcast interviews (including on-camera)
Talking points:
• Established track record (Grammy nominated, previous album was international hit, strongest single was Top 10 in multiple countries, national and international tour was a smash)
• Artist wrote song with A-listers (relate track record of other hitmakers)
• Inspiration/mood/theme of song
Media:
Utilize broadcast (TV and radio), outdoor, web and social media to their fullest. Bulk of budget will go to outdoor, radio and TV
Because of intense, engaging physical appeal of artist, craft a single cover that piques the interest of the consumer. Craft a catchphrase related to a line in the song or a single title and start an aggressive social media and outdoor campaign.
• Use devoted fan base to start tweeting title or catchprase so that it trends until Twitter filters work around it. Use emmuzka's idea about street-team social networking
• Do LARGE building-wrap billboards in major markets: Sunset Strip, Times Square, downtown Chicago, London, Paris, Tokyo, Dallas (any other region that gets TV coverage and allows building-sized billboards). Use Sony buildings to minimize cost. Though some will be in use for other Sony-related launches, we only need a few for a couple of weeks.
• Work out a possible cooperative with the BIGGEST CHR stations: contests, launch exclusives, promise to appear at Jingle Balls, etc. Do a radio-interview blitz covering as many stations as the artist can manage in two weeks leading up to release. Many will be call-in interviews
TV
(Now, here the timelines are very tricky, since so many shows are on hiatus and awards shows also iffy)
• He IS appearing at Do Something Awards, premiering single here doesn't seem likely, but IF he performs, he has to perform something. My preference is he debut the single on SYTYCD Finale, but that is a week earlier and three weeks before our release date of 8/30. I say if we move the release up a week, a premiere on SYTYCD finale would be perfect. (And he'll be there when Sasha wins, please and thank you, universe.)
• IF single is premiered at SYTYCD finale, he can perform it again at the Do Something Awards and yes, at the VMAs. (NOT a 15-minute segment; like 4 – maybe a duet?)
• When shows like "The View," "Live with Kelly & ??" come back the day after Labor Day, artist will do a NY/LA blitz, which includes morning news shows, Leno, Fallon, Kimmel, (maybe Ferguson/Conan); Ellen may not come back until second or third week of September. X Factor does not debut until third week of September. SNL doesn't come back until third week of September, so I would save both of those for album launch.
GET RADIO PLAY!!! Schmooze the hell out of anyone necessary; have Sony push for it to be used as bumper music or as part of TV shows, etc.
This entire launch will coincide with album launch in early November, which will include national and international magazine covers, a major sweeps-week TV coverage (SNL hosting and/or musical guest), X Factor Finale, AMAs (yeah, I said it), Jingle Balls, possible one-off concerts, etc.
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I'd think from a strategy perspective that really pushing a focus on his music over his physical appearance, name recognition, etc. is much, much more likely to impact his success. He kind of has the other stuff covered, and makes his own tabloid press. Yes, put his album cover on huge billboards for a few key dates, but not just his face and name IMO.
So for me a flash mob wouldn't particularly work, unless it was something really unusual and carried out by professional dancers or singers (also, I kinda think that people burned out on them last year).
My strategy in a nutshell, heavy, heavy push to radio with Adam spending a lot of time with them. Heavy emphasis on pushing music through live concerts/TV but also commercial, film, TV placement. Design and product tie-ins to be extremely top-shelf rather than aimed at Walmart shoppers. Try for more exposure/interviews with the intelligensia and indie press rather than gossip mags/shows.
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RCA, Sony, Adam and well any of the other PTB need to be ahead of the game instead of behind. How many times has Adam done something/released something and you can't purchase it on Itunes, AO or anywhere for days and sometimes weeks. The fans seem to get the goods and rip, DL and otherwise have it distributed before we can purchase. And we WANT to purchase but TPTB make it so hard or don't have it ready yet.
They leave so many opportunities on the table and loose money by not being ready when the need to have it now to purchase feeding frenzy is going on.
So I guess in summary my brainstorm contribution is TPTB - Be ready to sell when we are ready to buy, and remember the fans are ahead of the curve and quick on the draw so anticipate this ahead of time. The old saying be on offense, not defense.
Fans
Somebody here on Atop will offer ~favors to the Rolling Stone photographer who NEVER released all those fabulous RS photos. RS will suddenly release ALL OF THEM in an awesome spread in the magazine on "HOT NEW ARTISTS"
Guerilla advertising.: Fans will organize a message board/whatever, where material for guerilla campaign is created by fans and chosen for use by fans. (e.g. pictures to be printed in cheap envelope address stickers) The will probably be fans who volunteer to print stickers for others to distribute (there would be no "official" stickers to be distributed, as the fans would probably keep them or sell them on eBay.) In the campaign mysterious letters would be send to randomly and not-so-randomly chosen people, stickers and fliers would be distributed, chalk drawings appear on streets...
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What about a set of flash mobs at malls all over the world to the new single? Everyone just does a simple step and reveals Adams face or the cover in a shape that spells out ADAM while the single plays?
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This is one the fans can do: right after the launch of the video, create a viral video with fans around the world that recreates the video at home/with home-made props. This needs to be very well put together, edited, and coordinated, and it just might get some attention. Tweet it to Adam and he might tweet it
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It would be fun to do a Adam T-Shirt day. Maybe the day of the single release, all fans would be encouraged to wear their Adam shirts. There could be an "official" shirt that ties into the single available for advance purchase (maybe from AO along with pre-ordering the album?) but ALL fans would be encouraged to wear ANY Adam shirt (tour, hot topic, home made, etc.) and be walking advertisements for the day. I know that a lot of them are kinda ugly, but I bet most of us would be willing to wear them in public for one day as part of a group publicity thing. The word could be spread on the fan boards, twitter, etc. (It would be probably help to get Adam to tweet about it)
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I suggest a street art campaign--surely Adam himself has some connections in the LA underground art scene--what can they come up with. I have in mind the kind of thing that Shephard Fairey did for Obama. A lot of artist are interested in pop-culture and pop-art. Think of what they could do with icon-friendly features such as Adams! Graffiti-promo. I love it. I also imagine street art that is influenced by tattoo art. (And it doesn't have to be an honest to goodness viral underground thing--that's hard to instigate--it can just be a traditionally paid for and planned promo/ad campaign that borrows from the style of street art, and the venues of street art, and gives credit to/involves various street artists, so that it at once highlights their work and highlights Adam's very genuine connection to that scene, helping to give him cred.)
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Speaking of Colbert, did any of you see his "Colbchella 2011" three episode series on music, and the bits he did with Jack White? I love Jack White and thought he was just great in the episodes, but at the end he produced a single Colbert wrote and performed with the Black Belles, a young group on White's indy label. And I totally wanna steal a promotional idea Colbert had for that single, it's so ingenious and funny. His "Lo-Fi" idea is to have available on his website a printable flyer that says "HAVE YOU SEEN OUR CAT? (and do you want to buy our record?)" and has a pic of Colbert and the Belles with a kitty, and those little rippable tags at the bottom with a link to haveyouseenourcat.com where there's info on where to buy the single. He encouraged fans to print them out: "I want these all over the united states...I want community associations writing me angry letters that these are in too many places!" Forget twitter! Now THAT'S how to get fans involved! (I mean, don't actually forget twitter, twitter's awesome.)
We could actively rip off Colbert's idea (haveyouseenourdog.com?) or just borrow the general idea of having funny, trendy, lo-fi printable flyer available on ao that fans could print out and paste up all over their communities, with single info on it, and the kind of art that catches the eye of a young tattooed hipster biking by on his single speed to grab a latte.
Here's the link to the video (I don't know how to embed non-youtube vids). It's all funny but the bit I'm talking about starts at 3.34:
www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert....2011/jack-white
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The other thing that I keep thinking in circles about is the underground art idea. The problem is that hipsters are notoriously good at analyzing media and can't be "indie"-washed by simply presenting Adam in a Shepard Fairey knock off, or Banksy knock off kinda way in street posters unless the slogan was "the anti-idol" or something.
Though I could kind of see some kind of "evolution of Adam" montage or series starting with his crazy club/burning man photos through to the present day.
I do think that working with underground/pop surrealist/new contemporary artists for this album and official promo material might be very eye-catching. If he commissions or has his graphic designer work with one of the darlings of juxtapoz or hi-fructose magazine, this would definitely catch the interest of that segment of the population.
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Fan power could be harnessed and used in promotion for Adam 2.
Things could be planned to organize fans and get them excited and re-invested. Brainstorm how to put all the fan passion to use. Make it exciting to follow Adam on twitter and in social media. (I know we find him exciting already, but up the ante.)Make it fun like Q3 does here... remember when Adam asked for ideas for songs? Everyone went crazy.
Offer incentives like winning contests, tickets, meet and greets, twitter shout outs...
Make short videos that fans could tweet out to friends promoting Adam's new music, or videos kind of like the AI confessionals, or of Adam singing a line or two of a lyric...
Think of ways that fans could feel they are interacting...like having fans all tweet out their favorite Adam song or favorite Adam something or Adam idea about Adam 2 or have them make a fan video, and then choose one fan a week and gift that fan with something tangible... Even something as simple as giving them a shout out on twitter...
Get excitement going among more casual fans, like my mother, haha, who asked me last weekend what was going on with Adam these days as she hasn't heard much about him lately. (I haven't visited her much lately, apparently, lol.) Think of ways to reach old fans and gain new ones.
Give hard core fans something to do. Examples: Charity Water, Donors org... organize us. We are pretty passionate and seem to be do-ers. Organize us, and I think we will deliver.
Start soon to build excitement by engaging again on twitter etc. Maybe that is already starting with the release of the studio pics.
I'm all for privacy, but when the time is right, he needs to shove it aside and put himself (he is the product) out there for people to see and hear.
Figure out ways to make people feel invested in his brand and in his fan community. Focus the brand and really get it specifically identified for Adam 2, and then sell it, brainstorm ideas to tie the Adam 2 brand in with marketing and interviews...with all the tools in the arsenal, and he has many.
If he builds it, we will come.
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A striking photo of Adam, simple, striped down, shades of light and dark, with the caption;
'lam-bert n: unit of brightness or luminance
Get ready to open your minds and let in the light
Since he likes to express himself through photography and creates images that are striking and powerful, I wouldn't mind seeing a series of photos, revealed over time. Maybe starting with just the eyes, then a silhouette or darkened profile, a rear view, or a fist thrust in the air. Just arresting pictures with an enticing caption, no name, to get people wondering who this beautiful creature is. Maybe on various ISP's so you would see it every time you open your email.
Appearances
Get Adam the Today show Friday music slot (highest viewing of morning shows)
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So, he has to appear on ALL the late night shows like Letterman, Leno, Fallon, and Kimmel, and who's the other guy... oh, yeah, Conan O'Brien, and all the morning talk shows, too. If these are all free, then this = zero money. Oh, wait... he'll need at least two new hot pairs of tight leather pants, so better budget $1000 for clothes.
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Adam has to appear on SNL, preferably as host as well as singing his new kick-ass single. Is this free? Yes? Well, let's add another $500 for a third pair of skin-tight leather pants.
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I'd also like to see him reach a wider audience by appearing on Jon Stewart and Colbert (especially the latter--he's got a big music connection). That would rope in the likes of, for example, my snooty-ass friends, and he'd be so good, as we all know, funny and nice and charming, who could resist? I'd love to see him do a skit with Colbert.
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Some pop star diva will be doing a big arena concert sometime in late August and Adam will be attending, and towards the end of the concert, she will point to Adam in the audience and gesture for him to join her onstage, and they'll do a smokin' hot dance together and then he'll KISS HER, which will cause vast amounts of confused hysterics and unprecedented free publicity everywhere. No cost, except for yet another $500 pair of even tighter lace-up leather pants.
(OK, maybe we have to bribe the pop diva? Or maybe she'll do it for free, cause Adam has sent out so many tweets in the past year extolling her wonderful music )
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A ticker tape parade. Who doesn't love a ticker tape parade amirite?
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Actually... The "AMAs welcomes/accepts Adam back" meme, with the "what shall he do" and "How AMAs can be secured now" hand wringing would create a great buzz. It would dip back into the old well and present Adam again as a gay shock artist, but it sure would create buzz. "Now, two years later he is back! Has he learned his lesson?! Do we have to hide our children?! Does ABC take a risk?"
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On the idea of a promotional tour, how about an old-fashioned train tour in conjunction with Amtrak. It hasn't been done in a while and he could get everywhere. It would give the radio peeps something to film besides buses and the interview could be done in his fancy add-on private rail car with lots of leather:
He could stand on the balcony as he goes through small towns and wave at adoring crowds.
And although this is a map of US routes, I know there are plenty of Canadian ones (ps. Happy Birthday Canada). ;D
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PR
And the last promotion thing I want is for Adam to suddenly appear in all the glossy magazines looking like a moody hot smouldering mofo in full-page ads promoting his new line of sunglasses or, even better, his new men's cologne, and the name of the cologne will be somehow tied in with a lyric from his music.... hmmmm (like maybe the album title "Unlocked" or "Nonfiction.")
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Adam will go the birthday party of some famous celebrity in Hollywood and cause a ruckus, which will be plastered across every gossip/celebrity news site in the world. He will be wearing yet another HOT pair of leather pants, which will add another $500 to the budget, but otherwise this is all free publicity. at the celebrity birthday party Adam will cause a ruckus because he'll be there with Sauli and some idiot will make the fatal mistake of making a sneering remark about "boyfriends" and Adam will get all HBIC and flatten the guy. This will be hot.
And the entire Adam-being-a-bad-boy will be eclipsed by Adam winning that VH1 thingie for the person who does the most good in the world!!!
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Charity auction: Adam will host a charity auction (for charity water?) where stuff related to the single /a chance to appear on the video / stuff from other artists are auctioned. Fans are offered to set up stuff to sell for the same canpaign, too, and encouraged to spread the word.
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Tease the song/video. Release little parts of it (the most outrageous parts ) to build anticipation. Send the stills and video teases to the main entertainment sites (People.com, popeater, idolator, etc).
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Okay, here's an off the wall idea. MTV and VH1 like their reality shows. Have a show that follows the steps to making a hit song. Use Adam's new single of course!
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First off he names his album "Adam Lambert Sex Tape" but his team doesn't tell anyone. He gets his publicist to leak a story about a possible sex tape. The media and fans go WILD with a thousand different reactions. Slowly more details are leaked little by little to outlets like TMZ and Perez and such until a "anonymous" poster (aka his team) posts on Reddit with the link "ADAM LAMBERT SEX TAPE HERE!!!" and the link spreads like wildfire. Only it's not a sex tape but links to AFL promoting his new album with a full multimedia presentation with clips of new music playing over footage of Adam frolicking around a bedroom with a bunch of twinks. Shot in night vision of course.
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Adam for President campaign! Might get Jon Stuart's and Steven Colbert's attention!!! It goes well with the train stumping idea.
Advertising
Wonder how much it would cost to wrap city buses in cover of Adam #2? Major cities.....great advertising!!!!!!
Wish RCA would shell out the cash for Adam like Gaga and plaster him all over the NY subway system. That would be the ultimate promo IMO.
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Charity Water should do a float in the Macy's parade (do they still have floats?) and have celebrities (or just Adam) who have encouraged donations. I'm sure Will and Jada Smith and their kids would love to be part of it. Orrrrrrrrrrrrr, some sort of Charity Water segment during Super Bowl halftime with lots of kids who were being helped and Adam singing an appropriate song, hopefully one from #2. That way, he gets national exposure, even though not when album being released, sings at SB, but not necessarily football related.
put in ads on buses/subways in main American cities: New York, LA, Chicago, etc.
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I was joking on Twitter that if they REALLY wanted attention, they should have Adam do a building billboard ala Calvin Klein (in his underwear) in Times Square and I wondered how many car wrecks would occur in the first few hours.
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Seriously, I hope the next tour put some big bucks into advertising it. Touring will be Adam's bread and butter for years to come and the quicker he can get a loyal live following the sooner he'll be free of his dependence on radio. The last tour was almost all die hards because the tickets sold quickly. Gaga went into debt making her show a must see event. It was a great investment. I don't think Adam needs all the production of Gaga, just realizing that now is the time to make it known that he is a live event not to be missed and throw some money to advertise the shows in local papers billboards magazine interviews etc.
Online, Mobile and Social Media
Revamp the Adam Lambert site!! I cannot underline this enough.
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It would be very nice if Oprah, Ellen, Justin Beiber, Lady GaGa, Muse and so on tweeted congrats to Adam on the new single/album. Could this be coordinated?
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Lee Cherry will release the hottest moodiest James Deanish photos EVAH, which will be tweeted and re-tweeted all over the world a gazillion times.
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Linking campaign: On a set date and time, every fan drafted will spread a link to a song preview in their facebooks, twitters, blogs, message boards, commenting, emails, post-it notes... It sounds crazy, but it works. It has been proven that the amount of hits in the net is straight equivalent to the amount of linkings, no matter the context. Meaning, if there is a link, someone *will* click it.
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Create a rumor: Let's create a facebook page that claims that there are satanic messages in the track 8)
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A game: A game is created (could be a Facebook aps, smartphone aps, etc.) in connection to single (think FOB trail game a couple of years ago. Think Farmville. Think Angry birds) Distribute the game free, or with a purchase of the single, or something. Advertise it.
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Strike a deal with VEVO to advertise the video heavily (e.g. have the video premiere appear as a backdrop like for other artists): I feel like all the cool people get their videos from VEVO, not vh1.
Focus on fans. Get Adam to start a fan competition via twitter, and give away an interview with him for the winner.
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Have Adam organize twitter parties. Have him re-tweet fan covers of his new single. Build the "Glamberts brand" you know? The way Lady Gaga does with her monsters. Right now the gaga monsters are super famous as a group. It creates buzz if people hear that there is this group of cool hip people crazy about this artist - it's socially contagious.
Partner with Google/Apple/Facebook/4-square/whatever the up-and-coming cool tech brand is. Visit their HQ, speak to their employees. Associate your brand with theirs. Google+ is making a big push right now - offer exclusive content on Google+
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Get a faux twitter "battle" going between Adam fans and those of some of his funny famous friends (Katy Perry, Kesha, others) ... maybe bounce a bubble tweet back and forth between their twitter pages, they could add to it, make it funny and silly -- all in fun and a way to get more exposure to fans of other artists
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Give fans a mega server to fill up with Adam #2 smilies, animated GIFs, and other digital art. Set up a gallery to make it easy for fans to share, rate and rate the contributions.
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Encourage fans to replace Twitter portraits and online Avatars with an Adam #2 Avitar.
Cause Related Marketing
Tthinking "Key" theme and also how to get Adam fans mobilized the most and attract media ... the best mobilization of Adam fans I've witnessed was the Charity:Water campaign and it would be great if we could make efforts to promote this album also pay off for some great cause again. I'm thinking use the slogan: OPEN YOUR HEART with the key symbol prominent (yes, could be THE KEY TO YOUR HEART, too, but if we make it more generic it can be used to promote a charity, urging people to open their heart to this or that worthy cause. What about something environmental this time, something global to emphasize Adam as a global star and open a channel to do some good for the planet, which could use it. Then the slogan could be, OPEN YOUR HEART TO THE WORLD. A percentage of single/album sales could go to the charity, Adam could organize a benefit concert with his talented friends, offer a twitter party of live chat to fans who organize the best/most fun/creative fundraising event. He could get radio stations involved and show up at their events.
Contests
Even though I'm not a twitter ninja, I thought that it might be a good idea to get fans involve throught twitter and create a buzz about the new single.So, since album covers are generating a lot of attention again, I thought it might be a good idea to allow fans to vote on the next album cover.Adam can tweet 3-4 options and have fans vote by tweeting the option they like.This way fans feel like they're involved but Adam has control over the options he is offering.
Also, I think it's safe to assume that all options will be published by a magzine so in my eyes it's a win-win situation for Adam.
But again, I'm new to twitter so...
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A treasure hunt (this will bring awareness to mainly people who are fans already, but these kind of activities tend to "leak" to the public, bringing out grass root buzz.)
- The treasure will be something like an extra track.
- Adam's friends in public, as well public figures who support him (Ellen, Kris Allen...), blogs (Perez hilton, MJ's, Michael Slezack etc.) a few supporting radio stations (in USA, Finland, New Zeland...) will be drafted to join.
- The supporters, as well as Adam's people and Adam himself, will give clues and challenges through blogs, twitter, papaprazzi pictures, youtube.
- The plot can be anything. Maybe the first round is to gather an address where people will send a self-addressed envelope to receive the next puzzle piece (or like, with Misha collins' treasure hunt, an actual puzzle piece.) and so on. Maybe people have to reach a person who will be revealed (seven degrees of separation type game).
Benefit: Social media buzz + buzz from the outlets (Radio stations, blogs) that were asked to join.
Cost: One person's (the organizer) salary for a couple of weeks/months.
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Have a Global Twitter/Online listening party on night of single and/or album launch. Let's Talk Music! Invite radio's and critics' participation.
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Offer a free digital download of single for initial launch (12-24) hrs via digital sites.
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A creative competition: The single plus video etc. material is released for rearranging and reworking. Professionals and amateurs alike are encouraged to remix the single, make a music video, design a t-shirt... A page and a youtube channel are set up for the results. Adam will advertise the competition in his interviews, Adam's own channels will push it etc.
Radio Promo
I'm trying to think of a way to get radio stations to play the new song constantly. That seems to be the most important thing for a hit! Could there be some kind of contest with Clear Channel stations? Maybe listen to clues for something in the new song and call in or respond on line?
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Well, how many CAN he visit? The top 20? Top 40? I say send him around to charm the influential DJ's and PD's, one by one. We know everyone he meets falls under his spell. They will be powerless to resist playing his new music. Bonus for fans: as he criss-crosses the country, we will have new
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Do a bus tour to 1 radio station in every state – fly the bus to Hawaii and Alaska – and add in stops in Toronto and Vancouver BC.
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Send Adam on a mini-radio tour to largest radio stations in the country. Get him to do acoustic performances in-studio and schmooze the DJs. yeah, I know he's done that already, but he might have to start from 0 here. Not sure how radio will feel towards him - he doesn't have the Idol buzz anymore.
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One thing I'm thinking about as I read through these creative suggestions, is positioning Adam. The train idea doesn't really work for me unless Adam's next album has a significant retro or throwback vibe in parts that he wants to highlight. It works perfectly for a neo folk band like Mumford and Sons though. Train travel in the US (as opposed to Europe) in my mind is about nostalgia rather than speed/convenience/modernity. Bruno Mars, both on his album cover (beautiful design), and live performances (I think) has a tie-in to retro music that is cohesive with his whole sound and image for example that Adam doesn't have.
I like the radio station tour idea a lot though, with a really interesting tour bus with incredible wrap around art.
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Release the lead single to radio in three versions – album version plus acoustic and dance remix – at the same time.
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Focus on radio, radio, radio. Get Adam to do radio events/jingle balls. Offer dinner with him for the PDs of the biggest CHR stations in the country. Send out goodie bags of Adam stuff to radio - this can't cost that much, and it can be really nice. It should include things that advertise Adam (e.g. CD) but also stuff that is useful in itself (e.g. kids t-shirt with Adam logo; I don't know, but the merch has to be good quality and reflect Adam's image). Have Adam record personalized short video messages for all PDs of main radio stations. Build good will with radio.
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Do a free launch concert for fans in New York (creates buzz) and allow z100 and other NY radio stations to give away VIP seats and meet& greets through online competitions. SMASH this concert out of the ballpark. Do it right. Build anticipation for this - advertise it on twitter, facebook, etc. The more people show up, the more buzz. And lots of people will show up for a free concert, even if they're not necessarily fans.
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Love the ideas that focus on radio, radio, radio.
I would try to get the single played as much as possible, and push to possibly have bits of other songs exposed before the album drops in commercials, tv shows, dance shows, etc. Adam talking is always good, Adam's face is beautiful, etc. but I would put my monies on radio promo before any other kind.
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OK, This idea will require a ninja of the highest order to work on radio promotion.
We all know women are the ones who seem most susceptible to Adams charms so.....we have our best ninjas find the WIVES of the PDs or the PD herself if she is female and secretly infiltrate their circle, facebook friends, or payoff their hairstylist ect to slowly turn her into a Glambert. This will require a high degree of difficulty to walk the line between annoying cray Glambert and a discerning music lover who casually mentions they wish Adam was on the radio more or slips here the new Cd or sends her an irresistible pic in a pair of leather pants. 8-) A PD may be able to ignore Glamberts but not his wife. Foolproof ;D
Non-Traditional Distribution
I would like to see Adam's singles get on the playlists of stores that are popular with teenagers: Hollister, Abercrombie and Fitch, Buckle, Gilly Hicks, Plato's Closet (teen reseller), etc.
For example, here are recent Hollister, A&F, GH playlists:
www.anfplaylists.com/blog/hollister-co-summer-initial-2011-april-playlist
Some of the playlist songs are indie/rock, but some are from Top40 and dance club artists.
Merchandising and Sales Promotion
Release an exclusive bonus tract (not on album anywhere) same time as single - buy single and get the exclusive tract for the price of one single.
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Buy one digital single tract and gift a tract for free. Limited time.
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Release an acoustic/unplugged version of single (IMO single will be pop and up tempo) 4-6 weeks after initial single launch as digital tract. Price negotiable. This can be the exclusive bonus tract for (2) above.
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Place magazine size 2012 Adam Lambert Calendars including a CD of his first single in plastic wrap to prevent theft of CD at every check out counter of every grocery, Target, Walmart, etc. in US & Canada. Have info inside about the release date for the CD. My husband buys computer magazines that include DVD's all the time-so it isn't new. Availability for people to buy would really boost sails from those who don't closely follow. Once they own some of his music they will have to get more!
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Does kinda make you want a vinyl edition of Adam 2 though, no? I think if that were to happen, or even just little one for a single, it would have to be perfectly artistically executed, though, to work to draw in new peeps rather than just being candy for the hard-core fans. Like, a really really beautiful record with gorgeous, hip, spot on art work. But it's a nice thought.
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Create a Glogster campaign (a site where you can create online posters with text, images and videos) like this promotion for Black Eyed Peas:
Fashion
Adam was offered a collaboration with the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in June of 2009 and his management has not responded to date. FIDM is the largest fashion school on the West coast with thousands of students and an even larger alumni association. FIDM also has fashion clubs all over the entire nation and their schools are in LA, San Diego, Orange County, and San Francisco. The collaboration could take a number of forms - fashion design contests, poster ideas, jewelry designs, museum displays of Adam outfits, etc. This collaboration would be mutually beneficial and would not involve a lot of cost to Adam's camp.
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I like this; it really seems like there isn't a lot of downside and expense for Adam's camp in contests like this, if the organization is handled on the other end. Maybe the time to announce it and perhaps some endorsement for the winner? Then they can get tons of great ideas and execute what they wish.
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I was thinking Project Runway, but I like Counselor's idea a lot better. Perhaps there could be a documentary, too, like a mini Glee Project.
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Fourth route to indie cred is aligning himself with young cutting edge designers, and yay! that the MTV international promo is a perfect example of this. Now if he could just get someone a little less well known, but just as talented to design his merch, or run a contest through www.talenthouse.com -- both to get good merch, and interest the young design community in thinking about him.
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Use Adam #2 music as the soundtrack for a runway show.
“I think a remix of some of Gaga's BTW songs (Government Hooker and Scheiße were in it) was premiered as the soundtrack of a runway show in which Gaga was one of the models:
gagadaily.com/2011/03/lady-gaga-makes-runway-debut-in-paris/
and yes, I want this for Adam!”