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Home , Backing vocalist, Back in Black, Columbia Records, Malcolm Young, Stevie Young

Columbia Records Moving Forward

Makailynn Clark Writing For Public Relations JOUR 230

Columbia Records Planning Sheet

Public Relations Situation: Promotional campaign for the highly anticipated new

‘Rock or Bust’ by beloved rock AC/DC.

Analysis of Key Publics:

1. AC/DC fans

- Old fans of AC/DC ready for new

- Dedicated fans willing to buy the album

2. Fans of

- People who are unaware of AC/DC’s music but enjoy similar style of music

News Pitch: AC/DC is , for the release of ‘Rock or Bust’, their first studio album in six years.

Benefit Statement: Rest assured music enthusiasts, this is not a collection of their re- mastered classics. AC/DC is providing their fans with 11 new rock worthy tracks.

Tone of Message: The album campaign should have an exciting tone. AC/DC’s band members helped form the basics of rock-n-roll music. Therefore, information about the new album should have an exhilarating and exciting tone. In addition, we want old

AC/DC fans to feel a sense of anticipation for the album release.

Intended Outcomes:

- Increase AC/DC

- To create fan anticipation for AC/DC’s latest album

- Generate hype on the world tour that will feature ‘Rock or Bust’ Action Statement: Welcoming old AC/DC fans and other rock music fans to purchase and listen to AC/DC’s newest album, ‘Rock or Bust’. Listeners will be able to pre-order and hear small clips of the new tracks through ITunes prior to the album’s release.

Readability Range: Writing at a grade level of 9-10 would make this information accessible and easy for music fans to understand.

Columbia Records Press Release

AC/DC Anticipated Album ‘Rock or Bust’ To Be Released December 2

New York, (October 6, 2014) –The world’s favorite and oldest performing rock band, AC/DC is “back in black” to release their first album in six years. Unlike recent rock veterans, AC/DC is not re- and re-issuing old tunes. is back to create an album full of eleven new noteworthy tracks.

The anticipated studio album, ‘Rock or Bust’ will be released on December 2, 2014. Old and new rock-n-roll fans will find themselves shocked at the creative guitar riffs and unique rock vocals. AC/DC has been proving themselves worthy since their first album release in 1975. The band has sold nearly 200 million worldwide within the span of their career.

‘Rock or Bust’ will follow the record-breaking sales of their last album ‘Black Ice’ released in 2008. ‘Black Ice’ stayed #1 on rock charts in 31 countries and has sold an average of 8 million copies worldwide. Unlike past albums, ‘Rock or Bust’ will be the first album in the band’s 41-year history without rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, . Despite Young’s personal health problems, AC/DC replaced him on the record with Angus and Malcolm Young’s nephew, .

Stevie Young will also embark as lead rhythm guitarist on AC/DC’s 40 show tour supporting ‘Rock or Bust’ in 2015. shared, “It’s been 40 years of the band’s existence, so I think we’re gonna try to do 40 gigs, 40 shows, to thank the fans for their undying loyalty”. Fans can currently preorder ‘Rock or Bust’ on iTunes and purchase performance tickets through .

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Columbia Records is dedicated to moving music forward and providing music lovers with innovative tracks. Columbia Records began producing music in 1888 and is now home to 90 unique artists.

Makailynn Clark Public Relations Specialist

Columbia Records Organizational Feature

A Century of Music

Music has been touching listener’s hearts and providing them with an emotional experience since the beginning of time. Music is language that allows every nation to moved by a melody and a beat. While music has been performed live for centuries, it wasn’t until 1887 when Thomas Alva Edison attempted to transcribe sounds on a cylinder wrapped in tinfoil. Edison created the first recorded music and his patent for the was created in 1878. Edward Denison decided to use Edison’s technology and create the Columbia Phonograph . A company that would pave modern music for the next century.

The founders of Columbia Records wasted no time in recording music once the company was established. By 1891 Columbia already had an impressive 10-page catalogue of records to purchase. The catalogue was comprised of famous opera stars and

American ballads largely due to the fact the recording technology could only handle small groups. However in 1920 Columbia released a new electrical recording system that consisted of microphones that could handle an entire symphony orchestra. With

Columbia’s new recording technology, renowned artist such as and

Louis Armstrong were able to change the pace of recorded music with their large swing orchestras.

But recording didn’t last long because Columbia Records pursues evolving music. Within the next decade the swing tracks were soon replaced by new melodies. Artists like Billy Holiday and became solo artists signed by Columbia and took the by storm. Sinatra gained a notable fan following that brought vast revenue. In 1948 Columbia Records decided to test new technology and

Sinatra’s incredible sales with the release of the first LP.

Although Columbia was pushing solo artists at the time, they did not fail to recognize Broadway’s golden era. To satisfy the needs of Broadway fans across the country unable to attend New York shows, Columbia started to record Original Cast

Recordings of the musicals. By 1950 Columbia had an impressive collection of swing, jazz, and musical recordings. Yet such a collection was not enough for the company.

Columbia yearned to continually invest in the future of music. In order to do this

Columbia had to sign new emerging rock and folk artist such as , Janis

Joplin, and .

By 1970 the sexual revolution hit Columbia Records and they were determined to evolve with music. The company noticed the impact sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll was having on the country. Therefore they began to sign artist that catered to teenager’s rebellious attitudes. Young unruly teenagers desired chaotic rock music and Columbia

Records brought forth artist such as Santana, , , and .

However, Columbia could see that the hippy rock revolution was about to die out and vibrant was about to be birthed. Artists such as Wham, Celion Dion, and LL

Cool J were the new artists of the vivacious decade that continued to live up to

Columbia’s mission of pushing music boundaries.

During the 1980s every competing music corporation could see Columbia

Records was never going to fail due to their continuously emerging music. One competitor Music Entertainment noticed Columbia Records’ strengths and decided to make an offer in 1987 to merge companies. Fast forward over 25 years and Columbia

Records remains a subsidiary label of Entertainment and currently has 90 artist signed to their label. Unlike past decades in which Columbia Records focused on one popular genre at a time, Columbia Records is now home to 90 diverse artists, all who are still being told to push music boundaries.

It is very easy to recreate the music of the past and construct tracks that similar artists in a genre are producing. However as seen through history, Columbia Records has been evolving their music and touching listener’s hearts for 125 years. While there are many music competitors, Columbia Records remains unique with music that is always moving forward.

Columbia Records Social Media Release

1) News Section:

Columbia Records is constantly releasing new music. Three noteworthy news releases this week are the announcements of the album release day for , the physical release for TI’s latest album, and ’s live DVD release.

2) Fact sheet section:

1.) Calvin Harris Album Release

- Calvin Harris’s newest album release Motion to be released Nov. 4.

- Will include tracks with featured artist such as Gwen Stafani, HAIM, and

Ellie Golding.

- Listeners can stream the album for free via ITunes radio.

2.) TI’s Album Release

- TI’s newest album Paperwork will include many featured artist including

successful pop artist Iggy Azalea.

- Released on Oct. 20 and available on iTunes and Spotify.

- VEVO uploaded a 20-minute interview with TI, discussing the release of the

album.

3.) Depeche Mode Live Concert DVD

- Filmed in Berlin during the successful Tour. - Concert will include live footage from songs off their newest album Delta

Machine as well as older hits.

- The DVD will also include a copy of their CD Delta Machine.

3) Imbed 3 internal links related to your client (list them and give a sentence description):

- http://www.columbiarecords.com/newsletter/

This link will allow viewers to sign up for the Columbia Records Newsletter

and receive updates via email.

- http://www.columbiarecords.com/timeline/

This link will allow viewers to see a timeline of Columbia Records and see all

the album releases on a timeline from 1889 to 2014.

- http://www.columbiarecords.com/artists/

This link will allow viewers to see the entire list of current artist signed with

Columbia Records.

4) Describe supporting graphics:

The first thing I want viewers to see is the Columbia Record’s graphic logo in order to ingrain the logo in viewer’s minds. Secondly, I want the color scheme for the social media release to be black and white with hints of red fonts in order to create a formal and organized appearance. Lastly, I believe a picture of a Columbia Records Artist in the would really capture the concept of what Columbia Records is known for. 5) Identify 3 photos that illustrate information:

Because the three current hot news stories at Columbia Records are the releases of

Motion, Paperwork, and Depeche Mode’s live concert DVD, I believe pictures relating to these three things will be beneficial. It allows viewers to see a visual representation and will prepare them for the news stories on the releases.

6) Discuss what type of audio/video you might include:

I want the audio and video actualities to coincide with recent Columbia Records news. I think adding interviews with artists, teasers of songs, and video footage that shows the making of the new albums will create a high anticipation for the upcoming releases.

7) Create 2 sections for specific publics to click and link to:

- Columbia Records website has a page dedicated to their artist, however it also would be valuable to the artist’s fan base if their were links to the artist’s webpage under their name. In addition, I believe the artist’s fans would like an online page for upcoming tours and live performances of Columbia Records clients.

8) Pick 3 relevant external links (list them and give a sentence description): https://itunes.apple.com/us/station/first-play-calvin-harris-motion/idra.928255996

- Before the release of upcoming albums, Columbia Records is now allowing a free stream of the albums via iTunes radio prior to the album release. A link to the iTunes radio will be beneficial to artist’s fans so they can listen to the album before the release day. https://www.amoeba.com - A link to the world’s largest independent record store, Amoeba Records, will allow people to purchase Columbia Records’ artist merchandise. Fans will be able to purchase vinyl records, physical CDs, t-shirts, and posters. https://www.youtube.com/user/columbiarecords

- A link to Columbia Records YouTube account allows viewers to get a visual and auditory preview of the news. Columbia Records YouTube is full of album previews and teasers, which is incredibly beneficial to fans of the artist signed with Columbia Records.

9) Call to action in your SMR overall:

My call to action within my Social Media Release is to have viewers buy the upcoming album that were released through Columbia Records. News regarding the releases, audio teasers of the songs, and video interviews with the artists will create a high anticipation and will hopefully lead to high record sales.

Columbia Records Appeal Letter

Dear Columbia Records subscribers,

Many of you may know that the majority of our world-renowned artists started performing in their youth. However, times are different. School systems have completely cut music programs from extra-curricular due to tight budgets. Unlike the past, children are no longer able to explore the wonders of for free. However, with your help we can ensure the music of the future.

Columbia Records is teaming up with Little Kids Rock, an organization that funds music education, to round up donations. These children are the future of music and you can help Columbia Records ensure their musical success with a small donation. Little

Kids Rock student Dee, shared with us “Music is like the key to the soul; it means everything to me. Everybody should have music in their lives.”

Help children like Dee explore their passion for music. For every donation to

Little Kids Rock, Columbia Records will give donors a free . Help guarantee the music of the future by supporting music in education today. Please submit donations through www.littlekidsrock.org to receive your free music download!

Sincerely,

Makailynn Clark Public Relations Specialist

Columbia Records Broadcast Script

(10/13/14) “Music of the Future” Fox Broadcasting Length (:28)

“Music of the Future” Many may know me as Queen B. Others may know me as Beyoncé. But Columbia

Records knows me as another one of their artist that continues to push music boundaries.

With the abundance of music genres today, it is easy for many artists to recreate the

music of the past. However, myself and fellow artist at Columbia Records attempt to

create music for the future. Columbia Records works closely with their artists to carefully

construct the release of groundbreaking tracks. Their dedication to have music move

forward allows for innovative music releases. Don’t listen to the past. Move forward with

Columbia Records and listen to the future today.

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Promo Description

One of Columbia Records most successful artist is Beyoncé. I wanted to use an artist from Columbia Records in my broadcast that both the older and younger generation would recognize. Columbia Records strives to create music that no one has ever heard nor expects. Therefore, I wanted to use words like “innovative”, “future”, and “create” to show the public that Columbia Records tracks will impact the music industry. In addition,

I sought a tone of excitement. I wanted the public to feel as though they are receiving a personal invitation to discover the future of music with Columbia Records.

Columbia Records Organizational ID

Columbia Records is dedicated to moving music forward and providing music lovers with innovative tracks. Columbia Records began producing music in 1888 and is now home to 90 unique artists.