Believed to be the first magazine publisher to top an online album chart, Future has partnered with Roadrunner Records to create the pioneering “Fan Pack” release – giving fans in Europe Slash’s debut solo album, one month before it receives a standard release. The partnership marks the first-time a major album has been released exclusively with a magazine publisher, ahead of general release.
With a cover price of £14.99, the Fan Pack includes the album – plus an additional exclusive track, and a collectable issue of Future’s Classic Rock Magazine, Classic Rock Presents: Slash – a 132-page special edited by Mick Wall, bringing the album and Slash’s successful career into context, with exclusive input from the man himself.
Slash’s eagerly awaited debut solo album features big-name collaborations with guest musicians including; Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Ian Astbury and Fergie from the Black-Eyed Peas.
By partnering with Classic Rock, Slash’s new album is guaranteed distribution through more than 4000 UK retailers that stock the magazine, including, WH Smith High Street and Travel outlets, selected Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s, McColl’s and Eason’s in Ireland.
Future’s Classic Rock is one of the UK’s biggest rock music magazines and this year recorded its 9th consecutive circulation increase, the only UK paid-for music magazine to grow.
Chris Ingham, Group Publisher, Classic Rock and Metal Hammer, said: “We are delighted to have pioneered a new method of music distribution that’s already proving hugely popular amongst fans. By partnering with Future, artists and their labels can instantly redress the shrinking number of high street outlets for music retail – creating a premium package that fans want to collect.
“Play.com and other major online retailers are already reporting huge demand for Classic Rock’s Fan Pack – leading the way in many pre-order music charts. Anticipation continues to grow ahead of release in April and its success has not been ignored by the major labels, several of which have already contacted us to discuss plans for future releases.”
Helen Marquis, Head of Music, Play.com, added: “Slash is a musical and cultural icon, not to mention the stellar supporting cast that he’s lined up for his album, including Lemmy, Dave Grohl and Ozzy. It’s little wonder his fans are excited about hearing his new album as well as reading about his life.”
Mark Palmer, Managing Director, Roadrunner Records UK, commented: “We have been overwhelmed with the interest in the Fan Pack from both the public and Industry alike. It looks as though we couldn’t have picked a better artist and album to launch this new model. Chris Ingham and the team at Future have done an amazing job in putting this killer package together.”
The Classic Rock Presents: Slash Fan Pack costs £14.99 and goes on sale Wednesday, 7th April.
About Future
Future says: “Future plc is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests. We hold strong multi-media market positions in games, technology, film, music, cycling, automotive and crafts. Our biggest-selling magazines include Total Film, T3, Classic Rock, Digital Camera, Guitar World, Official Xbox Magazine, Official Playstation Magazine, Nintendo Power, Maximum PC and MacLife. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, techradar.com, musicradar.com, dailyradar.com and photoradar.com. Future produces nearly 4 million magazines each month; we attract more than 27 million unique visitors to our websites; and we host 27 annual live events that attract hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts. In addition, Future exports, syndicates or licenses its publications to 90 countries internationally, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of monthly magazines.”
