JENNIFER LOPEZ CAST LIST
Product Manager: Simon Barnabas.
Press: Joanna Burns.
Radio: Nick Worsley, Bob Hermon.
TV: Sacha Cowlam.
E media: Dan Duncombe.
Club: Niven Gonvinden.
This spring's new Jennifer Lopez album is not only the first big superstar release into the UK market in 2005. It also holds a particular significance for her record company.
Lopez's Rebirth will be the first major release for the newly reshaped Sony BMG, a point which Sony BMG chairman and CEO Rob Stringer was quick to make as the campaign for the project kicked off with a personal playback by Lopez at London's Soho Hotel before Christmas.
The playback event saw Lopez talk to an audience of key retail and media people through seven tracks from her new album--the follow-up to 2002's 550,000-selling This Is Me Then--together with the project's long-time producer Cory Rooney.
Aside from highlighting the significance of the project, Stringer described the album as the best of Lopez's 25m-selling career. Stringer has worked with Lopez throughout her career, in his role as chairman of Sony Music and previously as managing director of Epic Records.
Stringer says, "You can tell by the quality of the songs and production that Jennifer has put her heart and soul into this album. We believe that there is single after single on the album and we will be working it through 2005."
Last month's playback highlighted an album which offers a range of styles, but which is underlaid by a strong urban theme. While the Prince-style Cherry Pie is one standout track, Get Right features Fabolous on guest vocals and was produced by Rich Harrison, the man behind Beyonce's Crazy In Love.
Sony BMG product manager Simon Barnabus says Lopez is certainly working hard to make the project a success in the UK. The timing of the release in what is traditionally a slow retail period could work to the advantage of the album. Barnabus says, "Because it's such a quiet time and this is the first major release of the year, people will be falling over themselves to hear the record."
While the initial set-up for the project has been handled by the former Sony executives who know Lopez best, the long-term management of the project will reflect the integration of the two companies.
The February 28-released album is preceded by single Get Right, which will hit sales racks on February 14. The campaign kicked off in earnest last week.
After airing on radio worldwide last Monday (January 3), Kiss FM added the track to its playlist, while Top Of The Pops screened the promo last Friday. Lopez will visit the UK on February 17 for a performance and interview on ITV1's Parkinson, which is due for broadcast on February 19, while further exclusive live performances from New York are also being recorded for Top Of The Pops and CD:UK.
A significant online plot supports both single and album. Get Right was made available to stream as an exclusive preview on AOL on January 2, the next day becoming available as a download on iTunes, as well as a ringtone.
During her visit for December's playback, Lopez attended press interviews, which yielded three covers--Night & Day, Bliss and Glamour--and 20 other features are now being planned.
Radio One and Capital also have interviews ready to air.
Wibder what happened? lol
Applause to jen Diva latina!
lol
