RSSUniversal Revamps CD Packaging
By Ed Oswald | Published July 5, 2006, 1:15 PM
Record label Universal plans to refresh its compact disc offerings by offering three different types of packaging in Europe. The simplest packaging would come in a cardboard sleeve intended to compete with online sales, while the deluxe version would come with additional content, such as video.
Both the standard and deluxe releases would come with a redesigned "Super Jewel Box." The new case is designed to be more rugged and has rounded edges, stronger hinges, and a clasp that can be used to lock the case. Overall, the case is said to break less easily.
Universal's top artists will be made available in the deluxe version, which is expected to retail for 19.99 euros. Additionally, a standard version would also be made available for those artists, as well as other artists for 14.99 euros, the current average price for CDs.
Older music will use the "basic" packaging, intended to be sold for 9.99 euros, the same price as albums sold online. Universal hopes this would give some of its releases a boost in sales.
While Asian markets already have the deluxe packaging available, it is unclear when -- and if -- the new program will make it to the United States. European executives said that their American counterparts would make a decision based on the success of the program in that region.
However, some are skeptical of Universal plans, saying it is a futile attempt to keep alive a dying market. Even the label itself admits that as much as 10 percent of all music sold will be digital by 2010, with no indications that the rate of adoption would slow.
CD? What's a CD?
Score: 0
|The old plastic CD case design was always a joke. Whoever designed that weak and unsupported hinge should give up on designing. The hinge breaks very easily and it can't be repaired. I've seen much better case designs in Eastern Europe in the past 5-6 years, used mainly for DVDs. Friends who have seen the newer designs like them a lot.
We all know that paper CD sleeves look sh*t after a few weeks, and I guess most people dump the paper sleeve and use a plastic case instead. Universal is, as ever with record companies, putting a fresh squeeze on its long-suffering customers for more money.
Score: 0
|So they're ripping of Jean Michel Jarre's Aero packaging... AND making a sh1t version. Fabulous.
Score: 0
|They've already done this with software, especially games. You used to get a nice jewel case and everything when you bought a game, now all you get is a CD in a ****ing paper sleeve.
Weak.
Score: 0
|Horrible...
They aren't changing the price of a CD by a single cent, yet they will be saving themselves millions by reducing the amount of plastic used in the casing.
Its the same deplorable action that the gaming companies went through: they left the price of the game the same while reducing the amount of paper they used in producing the casing which the game comes in.
Hey, I'm all for saving trees and conserving resources, but if you are going to do that then charge the consumer accordingly.
Score: 0
|Actually, the gameing companies did it on request from retailers, not as a cost saving means. The shelf, storage and shipping space required by the old boxes (the ones that were like 9x12) was MUCH higher than the requirements of the smaller "dvd" format boxes. Sure it probably saves some cash for them, but personally I'd rather have the smaller boxes on my shelves (for the same reason's Best Buy, etc. would)
Score: 0
|Yeah, bad example, since I, too, am preferring of the small boxes...lol.
Hmm...whats a good example...
Ahh...my highschool yearbook...haha. They shrunk the dimensions for my graduation year and beyond (compared to the years previous) by about 10% and charged the same price. Dargh!
Score: 0
|14.99 euros is too much for a CD in developing countries. In South American countries a McDonalds' Hamburguer doesn't cost the same as in the USA or Europe, the price is according to people's income. The same should be applied to music, $14.99 is too damn money for people who don't earn dollars or euros that's why piracy is so high with levels similar to the ones of asia.
Labels, lower your prices and avoid piracy!
Score: 0
|