Rih's team arguing w/Billboard about counting ANTI giveaways
Deserves a separate discussion.
One of the major stumbling blocks to Samsung’s planned giveaway of Rihanna’s forthcoming album, ANTI—as part of the highly publicized $25m deal with the tech giant—is how to make it count on the charts.
The bible brain trust that decides these things has come up with a new ruling, which turns out to be rather problematic: They’ll count the free offer from Samsung if the coupon can be redeemed for any album—and, although the offer will be wrapped in Rihanna marketing, the coupon must feature type big enough to make it clear that consumers have a choice of album. The back-and-forth between Roc Nation (which is both her label and her management) and the bible over how to execute the promotion has reportedly been fierce, to say the least.
But those close to the action are calling it a giant **** show for the launch of her first record on her management company’s label.
I don't think they should count. But if customers have to have "a choice of album", then can't Samsung give them a limited number of choices (i.e.: the coupon would only be redeemable on Rihanna albums)?