LOS ANGELES, June 9 -- Whole Foods Market and its
entertainment partner, Inspire, launched the "Artist Discovery Series" in
their stores; and early results suggest the idea has struck a chord.
Greg Laswell, the first in the initiative of introducing new, emerging
artists to Whole Foods Market customers, had 30% stronger sales than many
of the biggest national releases sold in the stores; including new releases
by Mariah Carey, Frank Sinatra and Janet Jackson.
"The series will promote exceptional emerging artists, giving these
artists a chance and platform to reach a larger national audience," said
James Patrick Dunne, CEO of Inspire.
Whole Foods Market, in partnership with Inspire, has been successfully
offering music and DVDs to their customers for years, and has created a
trusted brand to their customers as purveyors of quality music and films.
"This is a testimony to the power of a brand," said Dunne. "The
combustion of Whole Foods Market's endorsement along with an attractive
sticker price postured the new artist to outsell the biggest releases in
the world backed by global marketing campaigns."
Whole Foods Market will release four new artists a year, and artists
will span all genres of music.
"The initiative aligns with Whole Foods Market's focus on celebrating
local goods; providing an outlet for talented yet-to-be discovered artists
to share their art," said Justin Miloro, Global Associate Whole Body
Coordinator at Whole Foods Market.
Inspire, at the forefront of non-traditional music initiatives, has
created many of the most celebrated and successful music partnerships with
national retail stores, corporations and charities.
"It's a tremendous opportunity to share Greg Laswell's music with the
discerning, lifestyle-oriented Whole Foods Market shoppers," said Stephen
Brower, Director of A&R at Laswell's label, Vanguard Records.
"We've already received CDs from hundreds of emerging artists around
the country for this initiative," said Nisan Perera, Sr. Brand Manager at
Inspire.
"We are excited to be a part of the Artist Discovery Series and offer
the great exposure for these new artists at a great value," said Miloro.
"Whole Foods Market will offer these CDs at below industry standard pricing
-- at $4.99 each."
Artists may submit CDs to Inspire for this initiative (at 881 Alma Real
Dr, Suite 115, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272), or at
Submissions@InspireEntertainment.com.
Contact: Nisan Perera
nisan@inspireentertainment.com
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