Here Today... Gone To Hell!

When the time comes to put out a video should GnR do a world premiere on the 10 spot.? I think it would be a great idea cause it would market to new fans who range from 17-24.? Since MTV never really plays video's anymore ( except early in the mornings) i've seen some bands premiere their videos at say 11pm.? I know its along shot but you never know.

can we have these discussions in a mont from now, or when we here from Ax next please

Ok then I don't wanna hear well since we haven't heard from Axl the CD ain't coming out till April, May, July. 

Who is this Ax you speak of? No offense, but I think it's a lame idea. I don't think they should put themselves out their like that. It's one thing to reach new audiences, and it's entirely another to know your audience and reach the right audiences. Suggestions like this and them playing SNL just don't make sense for this band. No matter how popular they are or once were, a band like Guns N' Roses is still a band like Guns N' Roses, if you know what I mean. They're not U2, they don't have that broad appeal and they are by design a very obtuse band.

GNR should make a video and release it on myspace and youtube.  Screw MTV or MTV2 or whatever.  At best youd get them to play the video during the credits of "Next" or "Parental Control" and it would just make the target fans who now tend to be more into underground/independent stuff not want to go out and buy an MTV hyped album.

Are you one of those people that thinks being mainstream is 'selling out'?

Seriously though, theres no reason why they can't be popular again.

I know this may seem like grasping at straws, but what do you guys/gals think ??

What is the Chinese New Year's Day in Year 2007?
February 18, 2007 is the first day of the Chinese new year.

http://www.chinapage.com/newyear.html


Seems like a good time for a single or some sort of promo to be tied in. Guess we'll have to wait and see.   : ok:

Maybe drop a single then...

I think it would be cool if you were chinese and knew it was the new year, but really I think most gnr fans don't know or care about the chinese new year

Unfortunately, you are probably right. Here's to hoping anyways...    :yes:

come on and stop with all these nonsense, do you really think this would happen :no:

Well, something's gotta happen .

that is absolutely correct, but seriously chinese new year, something will happe but it don't help to make these nonsense threads

I wouldn't expect it, but it does make sense and it would not surprise me...

Febuary 4th - Superbowl (commerical) or Febuary 6th - Axl's birthday he announces final release date
Febuary 18th/19th - Single drops
March 20th - Chinese Democracy drops

Makes sense... but don't hold your breath...

that would make sence but i still think some time soon after the Super Bowl :)

that would be a great idea, but so many good ideas have come & gone I have no hope  :'(

They could be popular to rock fans again, but they will never be a mainstream cross the board hit ever again.  Sorry, it would be creepy if they were.  Axl is almost 45 and the mainstream is filled with 8-14 year old girls who would never listen to GNR.  The band might rule the rock world again, but will never be mainstream popular.

I thought the Harley Davidson ad with Better was a good promotional idea, but it never aired, I guess, so who knows, maybe the whole idea has been dumbed. Anyways, in my opinion, it would've been a bit silly to run the ad with Paradise City for couple of months, then change the song.

So my point is, should Gn'R make a new commercial deal for example with Coca Cola? It seems that they are doing that festival sponsored by them, so maybe that could wrap a deal about an ad or two.

Think about it, Better (or some other song) in an ad with probably one of the best known product globally, spread around the world, it would be huge exposure.

What do you think? Should The Guns stay away from commercials altogether? Or do you still wanna see that HD ad aired?

YES I AGREE WITH YOU..THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT! :peace:

uhm...it has both advantages and disadvantages.
i wouldn't want to see my favorite band associated with a brand like Coke....i mean, i'm thankful to them for bringing gnr to the fans, but i don't rate coke all that much....

but at the same time, a tv ad for coke gets aired in pretty much every country in the world...and then some...so the potential for increasing cd sales though that medium is huge....

depends on your point of view i suppose.

P.S.
I'd still like to see that HD ad...its a niche product, so it would appeal to only a select few, but i'd still like to see it.
if it was done, and the money was spent on production of it, it would be silly not to air it.

It'd be good for commercialising GN'R again, and keep the cash flowing, but wouldn't that be basically the definition of selling out? ???

lol, they could have a guy drinking pepsi, and then has his first coke later in the ad.

"I should have known better...."

i dont wanna see G N' R turned into a manufactured band.................do you?

not really, i just thought it was funny

define manufactured.

they should make a deal with Jack Daniel's and then they could appear in the ad using Coca Cola to make Jack & Coke, with "Prostitute" as soundtrack.

Sorry, this is a terrible idea ???

maybe manufactured was the wrong word.............more on the lines of over commercialised.

yeah, the new gnr already has a stigma of being "manufactured"....so i wouldn't go down that route.
but, they could do with more advertising, that's for sure.

Coca Cola is "Better!"

I love Coca Cola but swore off it recently. In a little over two weeks, I've lost more than five pounds.  :beer:

Coke commercial

Broken glass and empty Coke cans
writing on the wall
it was a bargain for the summer
and I thought I had it all.

I was the one who gave you the Pepsi
the one who took the fall
you were the one who would do anything
the one who can't recall

It was the wrong drink for you
it was the wrong drink for me
it was the wrong drink for everyone
Thank god Coke came along
and looks like its now meant to be.

Yeah, there was a time

*Guy holding Pepsi*

No one ever told me when I was alone,

They just thought I'd know better, better *sees a can of coke*

I never would know that I could *drinks coke*

No matter what you'd pay me. *returns pepsi*

Replay the part, you stole my heart *buys a case of coke*

I should have known you're crazy *looking at Pepsi drinker*

Hey, remember folks, marketing isn't only commercials - they could do all sorts of things. Like:

Keep touring with festivals - many bands are seen at these festivals by people who haven't heard of them and they get more of a following
CD Promo - give away like $5000 or more in one CD, one lucky winner gets all the money when they purchase the new disc, open the disc and the winner finds out by reading the insert art. I would imagine it would get more people to purchase discs and give the new CD a listen.
Definitely use the internet to advertise and promote videos - if Barrack and Hilary can do it to announce their potential run for prez, it is definitely the hot media exchange
Song Contest or Spend a Day w/Band - I know the spend the day with the band has been done before but what about a Song Contest? The person who can best capture the pressure and tumult from Axl's life while being out of the mainframe gets a chance to record their song with the band with Axl on vocals and a possible contract. Just an idea.
I would also suggest something like putting Chinese democracy artwork up across the world like they did for the new Comedy Central show but you see how that turned out - Boston cops freaked and thought it was a terror threat. But it would get people talking and what is that? And then have a press-conference to announce the marketing ploy.
A reality show but everyone who has been on them or made one usually winds up with some kind of bad luck. Like instead of being Danny Bonaduce - being Axl Rose.

Ok. I pooped my brain out for the day.

Ok I guess I didn't poop out everything - what about playing half time of the next super bowl?????????????? That would be great exposure - no Janet Jackson pun intended but I wouldn't mind if his unit happened to fall out! This year we have Prince who changed his freakin name to a symbol which no one could pronounce - so weird - what do you call someone whose name is a symbol????? If people can get over that, they can sure get over Guns being out of the limelight for awhile! And at least Axl doesn't wear see-through ass-panel jumpsuits to show off his crack!

Hey just wanted to throw the idea of Universal buying an advertisement during the super bowl for chinese democracy?!! That is if the album is actually on track. It would be a key time for the first advertisement.  It would create the buzz that we have been waiting for.   I know i hardly ever post over here, but im Estranged9 a long time member of chinesedemocracy fourm :peace:, just wanted to let ya know that i wasnt some random that just threw an idea from left field.  If that fails maybe on axl bday ? who knows   ::)tell me what you think

well when G'n'R release the single i think it should have the element of surprise and just come out unanounced. Play it 3 or 4 times in a course of the day on an all hits radio show thing and then wait to see what people think of it.

i gave a link to TWAT on youtube to a friend of mine that hasn't ever heard any thing new from G'n'R and he said he loved it.

I dont think any one could guess on what the promo will be like but either way it should be good, just got to wait and see :beer:

as a G'n'R fan all you can do is hope and pray every Goddamn day  :smoking:

Since it is one of the most watched programs of the year, I don't see why they couldn't do it. However, if money is an issue it won't happen as I hear an advert will cost you $2 million and more.

shit, they can shoot a whole album's worth of videos for that.

ya i know what you are saying. ?I played all the demos to my friends, they all remember me growing up as the gnr guy. ?So i would always get a random question at a bar about the album. ?So i would play twat & better, and my friends mostly are neutral about guns. ?And they loved it ( also the fact that i force feed axl rose down their throats when they are with me ;D ?but like they said the record company has to have a big marketing idea cooked up and ready to go, they just need the full album and a first single ( prob better)
so if axl could of delivered it in time, i think a commercial could have been ready for this sunday?? ?The element of surprise im sure axl is a fan of, and with the announcement of the south am. tour , ?you HAVE to believe that they wont start ANOTHER tour with out an album!! ? :-\
but in the mean time, some cock tails and and afd & the demos will still do the trick :beer:
GNR 07

I thought would have probably been talked about, but I haven't seen a topic.  Do you think we will see a commercial for Chinese Democracy during the Superbowl?  Perhaps the new Harley add featuring Better will be played.  What are your thoughts?

Doubt it, I'm just guessing that Superbowl ad time would cost way more than Gn'R's willing to spend....I guess that would be up to Harley for their Ad, so that's a possiblility, but we will not see an ad for CD

NO!

Hey bro, you must not have looked very hard cos there's plenty of mentions of this throughout the board.

It aint happenin for the Super bowl .... wish to God it was... but it aint. ? :no:

it would be nice but won't happen...didn't they cancel that Harley ad or something anyways?

it is the launching that the expensive album deserved!

o no!!!

how do you know that?

we might have a nice surprise on sunday

Supposedly all of the commercials are spoken for. I haven't seen a list personally, but they're out there. Its not going to be kept a secret, because really - what does anyone else have to gain by keeping a commercial for an album secret? Especially if its the Harley ad w/Better? Harley wants to make money - and to them, an unreleased GNR song is good promo, but they're not going to go out of their way to cover it up. Its just not going to happen.

The good news is the band is already booking shows for 2007. They wouldn't be doing this if the wheels weren't spinning. To be honest, speculating over the same old topics is just getting old, and I'm growing bored with it. There's not going to be a Super Bowl commercial.

Take the shows as a sign of good faith, and let's look forward to March/April/May.

Well at least no one is speculating that GNR will do a surprise performance. Although that would be kickass to see Axl on stage with Prince, both my #1 &#2 favorite artists.  :)

Here are a bunch of leaked Super Bowl commercials;
http://superbowl.liveleak.com/

Shit man, I did the same thing. Cut out any soda or stuff like that and just wound up doing great with it. I work out and try to stay in pretty slim shape, and it was just something that was unnecessary to have in my life. I cut it out and couldn't believe how much better I felt and how much better progress I got with things. Cheers :beer:

...the greatest album that never was...now is...

Aren`t there a few Harley Davidson ads at the SB every year

This is my marketing plan, not all acpest are included but the basic ones.

Annonce release date of cd, also the single, Some dates like Rock In Rio, only festival dates at the minute and other details that i am going too tell you, this will be reported on rock sites like Ultime Guitar etc, great promo for basically no money !

Now the promo for the single, set up a GN'R steaming site that lets people hear the new single for a limited amount of time.On the same day you close the steaming website you release the single on itunes with an extra song which could a live version or a demo.Also on the same day you make it so you can preoder the album on itunes and napster etc, if you preoder with in a week you get a extra demo that will come with your album when released.Afther 3 weeks release the single on cd with the same content but it has a 5 min docmentry about the story of the cd this is part one of a 3 part doc that will be realsed on the phyicsal product of the singles, also put a demo of the song on it as well. also a video will be made for hmv etc which comes with the itunes single for free !

During the period between the single and cd date play one or two festivals !

Arrange for very special show that will be played on cd realse date like in china. With the online cd you get some extra bouns tracks as well as that demo if you pre order the album early enough, everyone loves it  :)

Then annoce tour dates for 2008 and 2009 on week of cd release, so the buzz and excitment makes them want to see GN'R live !

Play festival dates during that you realse the second single with the same plan as the first one with the 2nd part doc and live tracks !

Then make realse date near christmas for physical cd, the Physical version contains different bouns tracks, also they release a boxset with a different doc about cd a longer version of it and more info, a bigish book with all the details of what the new band have done, more bouns tracks, DVD of the concert that was played on first cd Launch date, special box etc

Third Single comes out afther christmas with the same plan as the other with different live etc !

Tour the dates, book more dates.

During the tour release an tour ep containing acoutisc tracks or some of new afd to support the tour this will only be downloadble on itunes for a month then other sites are allowed to sell it !

Thats about as a far i got ! some basic ideas but i think they could work !

Thanks !

     

Announce the release date, put out a single, release album.

That should work.

Damm i never thought of that  :D
I dont think axl has either  :o someone tell him !  : ok:

"oh everybody, Eclipsed got a great fuckin idea. Hey! I should put out a record ! Thanks, man, what would i do without you, dude.... that's Awesome."

I wish someone would give me a quid for everytime someone says that !

No, I don't think, or see, GNR taking the conventional promotion route with this album, in terms of MTV exclusives, 'album drop' specials, 'MTV 24 hours of GNR', SNL performance or anything like that.

As someone else mentioned, they're not a 'young' 'new' band.

I can't see them releasing a traditional single, leading up to the release of an album.
Considering the state of GNR, new band lineup, and the mystery surrounding the album..
It would be more of an 'unveiling' process, whether that is facilitated through use of their website or tv commercials etc
The main reason for this I feel is because 8 members of the band are most likely unknown to the majority of the music world, so they need to be introduced. Some people might not realise that the GNR they have been seeing on tour over the last 5 or 6 years is different band members.

I think it's funny that you use such obvious sarcasm in your post to mock a post which contained nothing but sarcasm in the first place, or was it too much for you to handle?

Stick David Blaine in a glass box with a copy of CD in it but without anything to play it on, and a sony discman on the lid....... then look at the fucker squirm :rofl:

Well what do you expect if someone written a post with some idea's that they think might work and all you can come up with is some no brainer scarcast post.
Ever heard of constructive criticism ?
Or is that too much FOR YOU TO HANDLE ?
Back onto topic, what about if GN'R release an ep in the same way Velvet Revolver did with Melody and the Tyranny ?
It could have 2 tracks from the album, some live tracks and a short video about cd that would be a good way to get people to buy the full album.

It should begin, with splashing, a shit load of posters around the world. A television commercial to hype the album like a WWE PPV Commercial you how they hype the PPV's I was thinking that kinda of way around. Premier the video on MTV late night. Also they should record a sort unplugged gig in a small venue. Show off a few new songs, loads of magazine and radio interviews, drop the album, do a store signing, play a loads of festivals around the world... BEGIN THE TOUR!

myspace and facebook can play a huge part in this as we all know!

Release Chinese Democracy is marketing enough ;)

I think a viral campaign would do the trick

4 words: Just Launch Chinese Democracy (that's my idea and, i think, the best possible idea...)

No matter the way is launch...

Yes, I would love for them to just get the album out to stores as quickly as possible..
But I really doubt this is going to be a traditional release. I don't think its just going to be
a case of a mere listing in your local cd store "NEW RELEASES XX 2008: Guns N Roses - Chinese Democracy".

As I've repeated in the past, there has been far too much hype, mystery and even criticism surrounding Axl and the album. It's not just a case of a new album being released by Guns N Roses - its a new band and 7 out of 8 of the band members are most likely unknown to the majority of the commercial music world.
If Axl's true intentions are introducing his new band members as part of the GNR name and legacy rather than hired hands, then they need to have a proper introduction to the world, they can't just remain as anonymous band members who are on tour with the Axl Rose show. Sure they get introductions on stage, but some of the long time members like Tommy and Robin need to have their due recognition alongside Axl.

1. Redesign of GunsNRoses.com with Tour Photos and Member Biographies.
2. Post the album art and tracklisting
3. Rolling Stone exclusive on the album, play the album for other magazines.
4. Release single
5. Start tour
6. Release album by September
7. Rock faces
REPEAT

I know that RS has supported GNR in the past and I still think that Kim Neely's interview with Axl was one of the most insightful and honest pieces that I've ever read about him, but do you think that the magazine carries the same weight as it did back in the '90s and are there still people on the staff of the magazine whom Axl would know and might trust enough to give an exclusive interview to?

mrbucketfoot:  This is a sincere question; as a non-American I find it difficult to guage the influence and importance attributed to foreign (to me!) media.
 

I'm not sure if they will or not, but I think that some people who have appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone have been against the wishes of some.

Regardless GNR finally releasing this album and Axl getting to speak about it will be undeniable. It'll sell a lot of magazines. And no, I don't think it carries the same weight, but it's very mainstream and it'd get the attention of people who don't even know or care about GNR or the album.

Not to mention what it'd do for morale. I'm sure people will be excited when the bands announces whatever, but if they hear something from Rolling Stone or someone like that they'll be like "okay the album is finally coming out, we can get excited now".

I don't mean that in a negative way, we all know that the album has been delayed for whatever reasons.

Thanks for that.   : ok:  From what what you say it sounds as though an in-depth article in RS would remain an effective means of communication.   :D

I'm no longer a regular reader of the music press here in the UK - having got disillusioned with most of them long ago - but of course, being a much more compact country, it'd be easy to achieve saturation coverage on national radio/TV over here.  And if the band would consider a live performance on something like 'Later...with Jools Holland' (kind of like a modern day equivalent of 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' - for those old enough to remember!), I think they'd reach an even wider audience.  Actually, Jools is a pretty mean ivory tinkler himself and a duet with Dizzy would definitely be something worth hearing!  :D

RS doesn't carry the weight it did in the 90's but it still carries the most weight amongst rock mags.  And if Axl is going to hold this deep distrust of the media, then it will be hard to promote this thing properly

How about a live satelite link up on the day of the release. A live performance beamed across the world would ROCK!

They would have to do an improptu gig, say on top of a landmark say the Needles light house on the Isle of Wight. : ok:

On the day the album is released, the band could go around New York City peforming on a flat-bed truck like U2 did a few years ago.

Start the ransom release a.s.a.p. 

Set a deadline for Thanksgiving, 2008.  Two million orders world-wide.  Once 2 million orders have been taken (non-refundable if the target is reached in time) those 2 million fans get the album first and a special on concert tickets once the tour comes 'round their neck of the woods.

If the target isn't reached, money is refunded and the wait begins again.  Yeah, I'll let the record company play with the target number.  Whatever they're cool with is fine...

...and of course, a kick-ass Rolling Stone cover story along with a huge fucking special issue highlighting the talents of the GNR monster.   :beer:

thats fucking genious,
I agree, it certifies a profit for the band well at least some money,
and it gives something to the fans that dont rob the band

If GNR were on the Dreamworks Label I have a whole movie script worked out just need to plug in the songs. 

Seriously, how fucking hard would it be to set something like this up???????

The very nature of this marketing strategy would generate free publicity...yes, some negative, but when the hell has that ever stopped Axl????

2 million, 3 million, 5 million?  Who cares!  Buying the cd and getting the deal on concert tickets would basically pay for the album itself! 

It eliminates any risk on the record company's side.  It eliminates the risk of leaks because a leak of the final version would void the pending sales.  The record company wouldn't be stupid enough to leak the final versions.

Will some thieves simply wait for the album to be released and uploaded to p2p networks, probably.  But...the more of them there are, the more time until they get the album, and if they're interested in going to a concert, it would be full price for them.

how bout surprise appearence during the opening ceremonies during the 2008 summer olympics in beijing, how fucking crazy would that be :drool: :drool: :drool:

What is crazy, is that I had exactly the same thought last night!  :yes:

Before you read on, I'll post this link.

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/guitarheroaerosmith/news.html?sid=6186099&mode=recent (http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/puzzle/guitarheroaerosmith/news.html?sid=6186099&mode=recent)


Now, picture this..

Many people don't really know the new people in Guns N' Roses, or haven't even heard their names. When GN'R release their new LP, they could do it with Activison on board, and we'll have 'Guitar Hero: Chinese Democracy' to coinside with the album. The game could have a proper presentation of each member of the band, and of course contain all the songs from CD as well as B-Sides and live performances of songs not included on the CD (Sway, Sailing, Back In the USSR, different guitar solos...etc.)



Something like this?

(http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g279/spirit1983/cover.jpg)

picture this, black tv screen, intro to a song can be heard, barely audible. images of riots and oppression in china. Music gets a little louder, more images, music getting louder, pictures of the upcoming olympics in china, music even louder,finally the tv says "Chinese Democracy Is Here", then the first guitar riff of CD starts loud as hell, then 08/08/2008. the most recent version of cd I have heard has exactly 1 minute of intro before the guitar starts, and at 1 minute 30 seconds axl finishs saying it don't really matter. so start the song at maybe 40 seconds, have 20 seconds of build up, do the first 30 after the opening guitar riff. Would be pretty cool.
a special friday release has been done before, any other commerical ideas for CD?

Ok, no sillies anymore :

Honesty from me, and i know none of the parties concerned will actually give a shit, but here iswhat i think :

" Chinese Democracy" has to go.

The title itself makes people, both from the industry and the fanbase, cringe.

It's been anticipated for so long that it's become a joke to some people and it will carry negativity.

The Very title has to go.

That's the first marketing tool.

In that case Guns N Roses name should go to lmao   :rofl: Neither are leaving anyways so it doesn't really matter.

I don't think the name should go, simply because it brings too much money in.
The latest album, although a greatest hits one, sold well.
GNR also have a strong fanbase in terms of the number of registered individuals all over the net.

But the album title could lead to a " oh, no, not this agaain" reaction from professionals.

I'd say it'd be the most foolish thing to drop the "Chinese Democracy" name. It's mythical, the first song on the record will be most likely be 'Chinese Democracy' and it's a really great album title.

And I doubt they'd go on leg after leg of tours called the "Chinese Democracy World Tour" then ditch the title. People will get over their cynicism.

---

Anyways promotion is fairly simple. Print ads and a TV spot during something "the kid's watch". I still think the CD intro lends itself well (or even Better or IRS) for an iPod ad. I'd like to see that but I doubt that it'd ever happen. It could go towards Product RED or something.

Then it needs a strong element of viral marketing; MySpace and YouTube. Let people hear some of the music before it comes out and give a couple of teasers to the video. A street team could play a big role if given the necessary resources.

I agree CD while may be a joke to people , is mythical , its legendary without a release. Here is my marketing plan for CD

1. Release CD

2. Watch millions of dollars come in

3. Tour

4. Repeat with new music....

 :beer:

I think they could use the Chinese theme to their advantage, especially with some viral marketing. Put up posters around the world with Chinese text and iconography. Most people wouldn't have a clue what it says or what it's about and their interest will be piqued.

Announce a date and release the single the next week. Put it on iTunes and stream it on the site. Premiere the video on MTV, VH1, Fuse, and MTV2 simultaneously.

Play parts of the album at random clubs around the country for a few weeks. Build up word of mouth for how awesome the stuff sounded.

Have them play a song in an XBOX 360 commercial, kinda like Sony did with Saliva's "Ladies and Gentlemen" in the awesome PS3 ad. Also, XBOX Live has a thing called "Game with Fame" where you can play with celebrities on XBOX Live. Make GNR XBOX's Artist of the Month, put their video on XBOX Live, have contests, etc.

I agree with the viral. I think a viral campaign is definitely the way to go at this point.

So I went to Linkin Park the other night in St. Paul, and I purchased a copy of the concert mixed by the bands sound crew. IT is awesome. So I make the suggestion that Guns N' Roses do the same thing for future shows, Metallica does this of course through their Live metallica website. I think this is a great way to provide additional revenue for the band, and give the fans something we want, a good sounding CD of the concert we went to. Thanks, Mike

I assume you meant that they were literally selling them at the concert venue next to the T-Shirts. Just curious...how long did you have to wait to get the copy of the CD? Must burn 50 to 100 at a time, I guess.

off course this would be outstanding but GN'R never were that cool about officially releasing "real" live audio, dont hold your breath on smth. like this.

Alot of bands do this. Black Crowes and Kiss have been doing it for years. I'd LOVE for GNR to do it. Not really as a way to market CD, but just as a way for people to spread the newer members work around. I'd love to have a perfect soundboard version of Jungle to play for some of my friends.

I can imagine playing it and telling them it's from the Illusions era. They'd go on and on about the greatness of former members and how much better Axl sounded back then.

Then I'd go ahead and let the cat outta the bag and they'd feel stupid.

Think the whole China/Darfur debate is probably not encouraging the label to release an album titled Chinese Democracy at present. I don't think the album title should be changed, I think Guns N' Roses: Chinese Democracy needs to be released for the band's sake. If it came out by any other name then it wouldn't be as dramatic and not get as much attention as the original title.
I think (thats me not the board, band or anyone else) the label are contemplating when to release it because of the delicate title, they are either going to go one of two ways: Release it now, to play off the back of Speilberg denouncing China and get all the publicity surrounding that. Or wait for it to die down after the Beijing Olympics as to not rock the boat.
It comes down to the type of execs at the label now - if they are willing to let fly into the midst of all of this, or go the safer route and hold off.

I really don't think the title is an issue now after years without question.
many a time Mr iovine referred to it as chinese democracy.

The title has more relevance this year than any prior year ......

FFS the CD world tour began in HongKong......It ain't a problem for the rest of the world, and if you are a chinese leader, well.............

This is How the gnr marketing train should start.

1. Have the whole band in China , perhaps on the Great Wall of China, do a press conference announcing the release date
of Chinese Democracy, then play chinese democracy Live streat after the press conference, whilst still on the great wall.

(why? Because Axl being in china announcing chinese democracy is far more symbolic and will stay in peoples heads more so
then just say getting on tv in america, either on letterman/ gnr website. Axl/gnr has to do something that hasn't been done before
and Axl is doing something that hasnt been done before, So imo this goes hand in hand and it would have alot of people watching
because its a world first ... Think of the news/media attention this would get...)

2. Then release a single the very next week, and an album a few months later...

3. Tour after the album comes out, and Release another Single whilst touring just to revamp and refreshen the setlist
and get more ticket sales, and keep things fresh..

4. Look after your fanbase as we are coming up with all these ideas and being supportive,

5. Repeat until rich.. and well = known...

ok, heres my shot at this murky subject,

release one song on myspace, fully mastered, its worked for countless other bands, the new blind melon being one, this would garner enough publicity and keep the wolves from the door and keep the fans happy, something to talk about other than "axls beard" or the normal bitch fest this board normally sinks onto.

hint at a release date or at least update us a little, following bread crumbs gets a little frustrating month after month.

anyway, whatever the legal reasons are for holding up the cd are, i hope they're resolved soon.

peace, life goes on.

chilly

Axl buyout your contract with Geffen and do it digital like NIN they just made 1.6 million in revenue off there new album off their website !!!   Music I believe in 2 years will be booming as ever as the record companys will no longer exsist as things like tunecore where you can distribute music yourself.  I see neogations with Geffen with CD going nowhere so why not try it !!!!

Have Carrie Underwood come back to American Idol towards the end of this year, as shes getting into singing one of her many GNR covers, Axl comes out and joins her.  the place goes crazy.  axl ends it by announcing the release date of CD.

very popular/watched TV show (I personally fucking hate it  : ok:), with the shows greatest success and the last great Rock Star the world has known.


another idea would be a surprise appearance on a big awards show with the original band who are then joined onstage by the new band (or vice versa, I guess old following new would be more gigantic) - sort of a passing on the torch.  yeah people would be talking about doing a reunion but the buzz would be out there and people would be talking about Guns n' Roses.  of course, i doubt all the necessary parties would agree to this, but its fun to think about it.

thats not gonnna happen yo.

I'm not a marketing expert, so I dont know.   I just hope the album comes out and that it does well.   I leave it to the marketing geniuses behind the scene to do their job.  :)

I would go the other way with the Olympics. I think there is a golden opportunity out there if Axl is prepared to take it.

China hosting the Olympics is Controversial, the Western media is not going to ignore the apects of China the Communist regime attempt to hide. The media would love the idea of Axl Rose coming out of hiding after 14 years to release an Album titled Chinese Democracy.

The marketing could be done in a way that would really make some heads roll. In the begining a viral campaign could be conducted over the internet, on TV, in the Cinemas, even in the major broadsheets. Have advertisments, posters, massive projections on major buildings all over the world, im talking Big Ben, the Empre State etc. Have massive Chinese symbols popping up everywhere with phrases such as "the Revolution is coming" "Democracy Soon!" etc. Make it out so it all appears to be some anti Communist Chinese/ Olympic revolutionary movement wanting to bring Democracy to China (fits in very well considering what the US is trying to bring to the world). This would probably get some attention in the media, it would at least get people asking "what the hell does this all mean". The ultimate rise would be to get the Chinese Government condemning the various advertisments. Imagine the Press, its gold!

From here i dont really know where they should go, but i would make it as controversial as possible, show everything bad about Communist China in advertisments, the human rights abuses, the organ trade, the support for Darfur etc. Then at some point start weaving the music into the marketing, somehow incorporate it into what people are seeing, maybe have some sort of shadowy figures (members of the band) that gradually at each stage of the marketing get lighter and lighter until finally they are revealed. Then drop the album just before the start of the Olympics, maybe to coincide with the actual opening of the games. Axl could do some sort of alternative opening ceremony in LA, get all the Holywood types down, celebs etc, pledge all the money raised at the concert to Darfur..... the media again would absolutly love this, and Hollywood is always up for some campaigning.

Then do the tour, world tour, try and get to China but that probably wont happen, so instead play in Tibet! From then on drop the criticism of China, probably best  Axl doesnt say anything to criticise otherwise it just looks too far, too stupid, too typical, ie the band that went political etc.

There is a massive opportunity here with the Olympics, at worst it gets people noticing, at best it gets a rise out of the Chinese and causes a diplomatic incident, propells Guns back into the top league, sells shitloads of albums because of the massive worldwide exposure!

Jonx

GnR just needs to get rid of Geffen and hook up with Live Nation and sign a contract with them including the albums and touring.

:puke: ->

Nothing personal to you or the formers. your idea is what I would have agreed when I was new here...But after years of my fellow fans bearing against reunionist attacks, even the thought of seeing the old guys and my fav GNR peeps in a same sentence makes me sick. I guess the experience was sorta traumatic to me. Ok who cares about my feeling but  it might hole true to anyone in love with this band.
Imagine how the very people would feel

Why does everything have to be "big" and "a lot of dollars"? Seems like people are more interested how many dollars Axl can squeeze of this album, than the music itself.

Do you think thats what hes thinking? "damn, if I get Carrie Underwood to sing with me, I probably can afford that new pool I always wanted"?

Leave this to Velvet Revolver.

you tell me, i never mentioned money once....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghosts_I-IV

He is wanting to emulate nine inch nails anyway...this is brilliant. I would get the best thing they would want to sell, cobble together different versions of the songs since their inception, as far back as 1994...

MUCH better than some 13 song CD put out in Best Buy. Anyway, its a way to capture all the different forms CD has gone under, i mean if this isn't a good idea, i don't know what is.

I know this has nothing to do with GNR...but since we're talking marketing...I thought it might be on subject.  Could GNR pull this off?

NEW RACONTERS...

it's called Consolers Of The Lonely and it comes out next week.  Yes.  Next fucking week.

    It contains 14 new recordings and is being released globally on Third Man Records in conjunction with our marketing/distribution partners, XL Recordings and Warner Brothers Records.

    The album was mastered and completed in the first week of March.  It was then taken immediately to a vinyl pressing plant.  Then to a CD pressing plant.  Then preparations to sell it digitally began.  March 25th became the soonest date to have it available in EVERY FORMAT AT ONCE.  The band have done no interviews or advertisements for this record before this announcement.

    The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised.  We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding it?s availability, reception or perception.

    With this release, The Raconteurs are forgoing the usual months of lead-time for press and radio set up, as well as forgoing the all-important ?first week sales?.  We wanted to explore the idea of releasing an album everywhere at once and THEN marketing and promoting it thereafter.  The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by it?s first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it FOR YOU before you get to hear it.

^^Interesting idea.  I think it works for them though, but wouldn't for a band like GNR.   At the end of the day, sales matter, especially one that cost millions to make.  the hype alone for CD should sell a million records. they are going to need that press (and mind blowingly positive reviews)

be curious to see what the new standards become, seems like a lot of artists are experimenting with new ways to release their material.

but basically the music should only matter  ;)

I think a full-blown election-type campaign to hype up the release of CD in '08.  Since it is an election year.  I came up with  a design based on what Obama's campaign is doing.  Check it out.

(http://www.reedrothchild.com/media/Axl_finaSMl.tif)

It would be cool if you started seeing bumperstickers and t-shirts everywhere, kind of like that Obey sticker.  Then we would know that Chinese Democracy is upon us.  I also have this image on t-shirts at Cafe Press.

www.cafepress.com/chinesed (http://www.cafepress.com/chinesed)

it would be cool if MTV had a live concert midnight the day of the release and coverage of record stores selling the cd and stuff like that.

or the webcasting of it would be super cool. :drool: