The release of Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic’ CD has reached #1 in the U.S. charts this week. This is her seventh album yet the first to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 and according to Nielson SoundScan she sold a total of 238,000 copies in her first week.

After the end of a strenuous 777 promo Tour and the seemingly failed chartered jet exploit filled with disgruntled journalists having no stories to report, this is the light at the end of a “strategically placed marketing” tunnel.

She created a lot of anticipation for this album by using a different strategy. She released a “Diamonds Deluxe Edition” box for $79 and a “Diamond Executive Platinum Edition” box for $250, which contain a plethora of paraphernalia:

Among the gifts in the Diamonds Deluxe Edition box are , A t-shirt featuring a Michael Muller photo of Rihanna taken during her ‘Unapologetic’ album photo shoots, a limited-edition genuine diamond bracelet,  7 Laptop stickers featuring artwork by Mario Hugo, ‘Unapologetic’ album and “Diamonds” single artwork, the Unapologetic Deluxe CD version with a 28-page photo and art booklet featuring Michael Muller and Melissa T. Forde photography, a 20-minute DVD featuring unreleased footage and a Fan Mosaic poster featuring members of Rihanna’s Navy.

The Diamond Executive Platinum box includes the afore mentioned items above along with a special edition collectible colored “Diamonds” remixes vinyl, A Rihanna Unapologetic 2GB Credit Card style USB Flash Memory Drive, 7 Art print 12 x15 lithographs featuring Michael Muller photography, a Magnus Voll Mathiassen illustration and exclusive unreleased  Rihanna ‘Unapologetic’ images, 3 Device Adhesives featuring Rihanna’s ‘Unapologetic’ cover, logo and image, 11×17 Rihanna handwritten personal note to her Navy, A Rihanna 3D experience View-Master, A 40-page custom Rihanna notebook with handwritten notes and lyrics.

While some may consider it too expensive, it is an ingenious idea that was created for those who are affluent shoppers during this holiday season and to help her brand reach sales goals overall.

The affluent shoppers are expected to spend over 20 percent more this year and luxury retailers can expect a splurge in holiday spending according to the 2012 Q4 Annual Survey of Affluence & Wealth in America. Affluent shoppers don’t have to worry about where their money goes so they can afford the Rihanna “experience” and enjoy the commodities.

On a marketing level, people aren’t necessarily buying the music but the promotional excitement that surrounds it. The pitch for the luxury items are something for the affluent consumer and those that love Rihanna the brand want everything it entails.

Her brand is being looked at as a business and according to Ann C. Logue on entrepreneur.com “businesses prefer a larger margin in order to increase profits, so there is a natural desire to find ways to limit competition. In a healthy market, this happens by introducing better products and services, not by cutting prices.” By adding incentives and gifts to increase the value and price point more consumers are drawn in to purchase and she earns her more money.

Logue also said that, “If a product has network effects–if it becomes more valuable the more people use it–then a low price can get it into the hands of more people and help your business set the standard. On the other hand, a high price can enhance the positioning of a product as a unique or luxury item.” So those that can’t afford the luxury can just get the album for $9.99 at iTunes and Amazon while the high prices of the boxes makes her brand a luxury.

Both the “Diamonds Deluxe Edition” box and the “Diamonds Executive Platinum Edition” box will be released in limited quantities and will be available December 11 on the rihanna.fanfare.com official site.

Image Courtesy : Rihanna

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Orlando, U.S.A. – AAA‘s newest app, AAA Mobile, bundles services for motorists, such as mapping and gas price comparison, as well as member-exclusive benefits including roadside assistance and discounts.

The new app available for iPhone and Android-compatible devices combines the AAA Discounts, TripTik Mobile and Roadside apps into one app creating the perfect companion for any motorist. AAA Mobile delivers a complete mobile experience for members; centering around help at the roadside, travel plans and getting the latest discount at your favorite store with AAA’s Show Your Card and Save program.

“AAA is dedicated to evolving with our members by providing them with the latest ways to stay informed and access all their AAA membership provides,” says Marshall L. Doney, AAA National Vice President, Automotive, Financial Services and e-Business. “We are very pleased to be able to provide this new app to our members and future members. The new AAA Mobile app will provide a convenient solution to those members looking to maximize their membership benefits on the go.”

Available now for free in iTunes and Google Play app stores, the AAA Mobile app features include:

• Road Service Request (app identifies location)
• AAA member discounts
• AAA Approved Auto Repair locator
• Gas station locations and updated gas price information
• Diamond Ratings for AAA Approved hotels and restaurants
• Hotel booking capability powered by Travelocity
• Listings for AAA Approved attractions and campgrounds
• AAA branch office locations
• TripTik® travel planning with interactive maps and directions
• Instant battery replacement quotes
• Electric vehicle charging station locations
• Join AAA

AAA Mobile is available to all mobile users; however some services and benefits are only available to AAA members such as roadside assistance and discounts. The app was launched as an update to the current AAA Discounts app in the iTunes and Google Play (formerly Android Market) app stores.  Any user who has the AAA Discounts app downloaded on their phone should have been notified that an update was available.

When updated, the AAA Mobile app will replace AAA Discounts on their phone.  The current AAA Roadside and AAA TripTik Mobile apps will soon be updated to display a message that these apps have been replaced with AAA Mobile, download the new app, and delete AAA Roadside and AAA TripTik Mobile apps.

Smartphones with mobile applications are valuable tools before a vehicle is in motion; however, they greatly increase motorist distractions when used while driving.  Distracted driving can have deadly consequences.  AAA urges motorists to minimize distractions behind the wheel by not using wireless devices, such as cell phones with mobile applications, while driving.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 53 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. Members and non-members can visit AAA on the Internet at AAA.com.

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Tucker, Georgia, U.S.A. – With the launch of Gas Guru from YP, those on the go have a new companion when trying to find cheap gas and other necessities while on the road. Whether on a daily commute or summer road trip, the free mobile app can help users save money and sanity, by powering quick decisions about where to fuel up or make a pit stop for everything from coffee to a cash machine.

Rising gas prices are a pain at the pump, but finding fuel isn’t the only headache. Many apps for hitting the road are limited to information on gas prices and forget about all the stops in between. The time, gas and money wasted while circling around searching for cheap gas, a quick bite on the way home or an auto shop can add up. This is why Gas Guru is a must download.

App features make navigating everyday, on-the-go needs quick and easy:

The app can help find cheap gas nearby at a glance. Unlike other apps that simply list gas prices, Gas Guru calculates and highlights the best prices at stations nearby. Users can see prices by gas grade in either map or list view. No more filling the tank and discovering afterward that you could have saved a couple of bucks down the road.

The app will also compare gas prices at frequent locations. Gas Guru can be personalized to save locations like “home,” “work” or other favorite places, to easily compare the latest prices with a flick of the finger and quickly decide whether to fuel up now or later.

Daily detours are also quick and easy. Find restaurants, coffee, auto repair, roadside assistance, or ATMs nearby with a single tap. Search results are displayed alongside gas stations making it easy to lay out a plan for your stops. Call or get directions to your selected destinations.

“We developed Gas Guru to address a clear need for a mobile companion to make decisions about roadside necessities easier,” said David Williams, vice president of product management at YP. “Since we added a gas price feature to our flagship YP local search app last year, we’ve seen triple digit search growth for not only gas prices, but auto-related categories overall. This new purpose-based app expands our local search insights and technology platform to address the unique needs of those on the go.

Smartphone users, download the free location-based app from Google Play or iTunes.

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Columbia Records is pleased to announce that ‘Born and Raised’, the next album from Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician John Mayer, will be released on May 22. The first single, “Shadow Days,” will be out on March 6 and available on iTunes.

Mayer produced Born and Raised with Don Was, who’s worked on albums for acts such as the Rolling Stones, B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt.  Rock legends David Crosby and Graham Nash provide vocals on the album’s title song.

Musicians joining Mayer on the album and on the road include highly-regarded keyboardist/pianist Chuck Leavell—who has worked with the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and The Allman Brothers Band—as well as previous collaborators Sean Hurley on bass and Aaron Sterling on drums.  Jim Keltner makes a special appearance on drums on “Something Like Olivia.” Rounding out the touring band are David Ryan Harris on guitar and vocals, Doug Pettibone on guitar and Michito Sanchez on percussion.

Columbia Records recently announced that Mayer will do an 18-date spring tour that kicks off April 9 in Bloomington, IN. Stops on the tour include Detroit, Providence, Buffalo, Memphis, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Phoenix. He will also be performing at South By Southwest in Austin on March 17, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival on April 29.

Mayer’s previous albums—Room for Squares, Heavier Things, Continuum and Battle Studies—have sold more than 12 million copies combined.  He has been honored with seven Grammy Awards and an additional 11 nominations.  He has also been included in Time Magazine’s annual Time 100 list of the most influential contemporary thinkers, leaders, artists and entertainers, and twice been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine’s annual “Guitar” issue.

John Mayer – Born and Raised – produced by John Mayer and Don Was

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/pkeigan/

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The long-awaited No Labels Anthem is now featured in the iTunes Music Store and available for purchase for 99 cents. Written by Grammy award-winning platinum artist Akon and performed by Grammy-nominated platinum artist Deborah Cox, the song’s proceeds will help fund No Labels, a citizens’ movement of Democrats, Republicans and Independents by empowering our leaders to work across the aisle.

Recently, No Labels launched its Make Congress Work! action plan, which features a dozen common sense proposals to combat the gridlock and hyper partisanship that make it virtually impossible to deal with America’s serious challenges.

“When I told Akon about No Labels, he was so inspired that he stayed up all night to write this song,” said No Labels co-founder Lisa Borders. “The No Labels Anthem speaks to our fellow citizens of every persuasion who are not being served by a partisan, dysfunctional Congress. We want our leaders to work together – like the words and melody of this iconic song – to do what’s best for the ‘indivisible’ United States of America.”

“The No Labels mission moved me to get involved and perform this song,” said Cox, who has 11 number-one Billboard dance singles. “To citizens like me, Congress is like an orchestra where every member is trying to play their instrument louder than the next. That makes for bad music and its made for bad government. Our leaders need to put aside their differences and work together for the good of the country.”

The No Labels Anthem debuts on the day of the president’s State of the Union address, where over 196 members of Congress will be sitting with members of the opposite party. No Labels has made bipartisan seating at the State of the Union and all joint meetings of Congress one of the 12 proposals in its Make Congress Work! action plan.

Miguel Campos / Shutterstock.com

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While so many are having a tough time, a new Christmas song written by an 11-year-old blind girl reminds people what the holiday season is about.

Emmanuelle Lo’s ‘Night of Our Lives’ is attracting thousands of YouTube views and high praise from legendary rock musicians. Bobby Whitlock (Delaney & Bonnie, Derek & The Dominoes) wrote, “She sees the true world.” Linda Chorney (2010 Grammy Nominee – Best Americana Album) wrote, “Wow, what a sweet, pure voice, a real gem.”

Emmanuelle Lo was born blind to a family of modest means. She lives with her parents and five siblings in a small, bedroom home in Michigan. Emmanuelle had a love for music from early age, banging on an old church piano and pretending to read music. The family couldn’t afford music lessons, though, so in 2010 a neighbor offered to host a backyard concert to raise money to help with music training. Voluntary donations from about 80 guests bought her a guitar and some music lessons. Several weeks later, she returned with ‘Night of our lives.’

Emmanuelle sang the song at a family-friend’s home, record-producer Doug B. Nelson was there (Stoneagle Music Grammy-nominated producer of the album ‘Pinetop Perkins & Friends’). Nelson loved the song and the 11-year-old girl’s voice and asked her to come in and record.

Nelson enlisted the help of friends and family, Alfonso Ponticelli, Jeff Lantz of Jim Peterik’s World Stage band and son Graham C. Nelson on harmonica, who accompany Emmanuelle along with his long-time friend and recording-engineer Larry Millas (founder/guitarist of the Ides of March, and noted recording-engineer, Billy Idol and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor.)

Although the Lo family continues to struggle financially, Emmanuelle plans to donate a portion of the song’s iTunes-sales to the ‘Opportunity Music Project – OMP,’ a New York-based non-profit that provides music lessons for disadvantaged children. “So many people have helped me, I want to help people like I’ve been helped.”

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Netflix announced it was planning to split its DVD/Blu-Ray rent by mail and online streaming services back in early September. The mail delivery service was branded as Qwikster and video games would be made available for rent as well. Since then the plan was called off and entry into the video game rental market was put on hold as many customers opposed the split.

Subscribers did not like the idea of having to visit a different website and mange a second account to rent movies or video games. Netflix’s stock price has been steadily dropping since the 60% price hike in July and loss of 800,000 subscribers in the last quarter despite the firm’s profits.

Shareholders were also not happy as Netflix would have to spend millions to launch Qwikster when consumers have already established Netflix as a rent by mail service under the Netflix brand. With Netflix’s missteps that leaves one begging the question, is there a legitimate alternative to Netflix?

Angry Netflix users have been on the lookout for something new and there might just be a replacement depending on their viewing habits. Online streaming services like iTunes and VUDU have no monthly fee but the bill will quickly add up from just a few purchases as each rental will cost around $0.99 to $5.99 depending on what it is.

The content per dollar ratio is probably not what Netflix users are looking for. Amazon Prime Instant video and Hulu Plus are much more viable alternatives as they allow unlimited streaming for a monthly fee.

Amazon Prime has the smallest selection but also has the lowest price at $79 a year, and offered a discounted price for college students that subscribed earlier this year, but Amazon has not stated if it will offer that deal year after year. Amazon Prime also has content for rental much like VUDU and iTunes.

Hulu concentrates more on what is current on television offering a free option that allows users to see five episodes of a show’s current season, movies, and in standard definition. Hulu Plus gives access to full seasons, a better selection of movies, and in high definition for $7.99 a month. Hulu uploads episodes a day after it airs on television giving it an edge over Netflix’s usual 28 day wait.

There really is no widely accepted alternative to Netflix at the moment. For $7.99 a month Netflix offers the biggest online streaming selection in movies and television. Hulu Plus is definitely better than Netflix for television fans but it is the other way around for movie buffs.

As much as people argue which is better to have Hulu Plus or Netflix (even though they have some of the same content available) at the moment they should be considered compliments and not substitutes of each other.

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First off, I think it’s extremely important to note that the most anticipated album we have seen in a while did not leak weeks in advance.  That is an unexpected miracle that could solve the problem of leaks in the future, but I may be looking too much into this.

The album was not released to major store outlets as it has been done in the past, the album was released through iTunes exclusively and physically became available on the 8^th.  In a recent interview, Jay Z said that the process of releasing an album lends itself to getting leaked very easily as albums are shipped weeks in advanced to various stores around the country.

Through that stage of the whole process anything can and usually does happen, the album is there for the taken.We see the plan put into action with an album that didn’t even receive the usual visual treatment most albums get.

Listening to the album after purchasing it, a lot of things became clear that were blurry before.  Mainly, who the better rapper was; at this point I wouldn’t expect Jay Z to rap circles around the man with the biggest ego outside of Jay Z.  Kanye seemed as if he were content in playing the background allowing the “God Emcee” to control the album.  After a song called “Who Gon Stop Me” the 8^th song on the album in which Jay decided to really take control, the album was dominated by Jay Z and Kanye played second fiddle.

This album also brought Frank Ocean to a wider group of fans who otherwise would have never listened or taken time out of their day to listen to his album.

Ocean is now being seen as the next in line to the R&B throne and Jay Z after hearing his popular album “Nostalgia” felt he would be perfect for the album.  Frank Ocean is featured on two songs, the intro which is called “No Church In The Wild,” and the triumphant “Made In America.”

The Album is receiving pretty good reviews at this point (77 grade on Metacritics website), not unexpected given the parties involved.  Jay Z proves he is still king in terms of rapping ability but Kanye shows his mark and brilliance in the overall production of the album.  The album is sort of a Jay Z release with production done by Kanye, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

This is an album with a bunch of songs made to be performed in a packed stadium accompanied by great lyrics from both artists, as good as the album is, it does not live up to the last solo efforts of either artists.

One last thing we learned is what Jay Z thinks of Beyonce: “if Picasso were alive, he would have made her and Mona Lisa can’t fade her,” one of the best and most humorous lines in the album all together.

Steven Cashmore / Shutterstock.com

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