Why Did Mr. Springsteen Go To Wal-Mart?

January 31, 2009 · Posted in branding, Marketing, Music, Music Business 

So, Bruce Springsteen has a new record out, is playing the Super Bowl, did the inauguration; he’s in the press a lot these days. He also did the exclusive distribution deal with Wal-Mart on the greatest hits package.

Wal-Mart is the last remaining, physical retailer of any consequence. If an act can land the Wal-Mart deal, it guarantees up-front money, units sold and exposure. Wal-Mart only does business with sure things; The Eagles, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen.

However, with Springsteen, who has cultivated the image that the music stands on principles, some fans took offense to the Wal-Mart deal. Many cited the fact that the retailer has always been a non-union shop.

Bruce touched on this briefly in a lengthy NY Times piece.

But Mr. Springsteen said the decision was made too hastily. “We were in the middle of doing a lot of things, it kind of came down and, really, we didn’t vet it the way we usually do,” he said. “We just dropped the ball on it.” Instead of offering the exclusive collection to Wal-Mart, “given its labor history, it was something that if we’d thought about it a little longer, we’d have done something different.” He added, “It was a mistake. Our batting average is usually very good, but we missed that one. Fans will call you on that stuff, as it should be.”

How much of a “vetting” process do you need to do on Wal-Mart? Are any of you that are reading this unaware of the fact that Wal-Mart isn’t a union outfit? Is everybody in Springsteen’s organization that far out of touch? Seems unlikely. Seems disingenuous.

Bruce sings for everyman. That’s the shtick right?

Wal-Mart is everyman. The overwhelming majority of Americans are Wal-Mart shoppers and/or employees. It’s not like we’re all ping zippy happy about it. The deal is, you shop at Wal-Mart because it’s cheap and you work at Wal-Mart because they are hiring.

But Bruce is acting like a politician down to using the same language and excuses.

C’mon Bruce! You did it for the money, right? Because Wal-Mart is the one that still throws some cash out there, right? That’s something everyman can understand. You go to Wal-Mart for the same reason we do; the money

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Comments

3 Responses to “Why Did Mr. Springsteen Go To Wal-Mart?”

  1. Pat N Denial and Stooged on January 31st, 2009 9:08 am

    I like Bruce, but I wish he’d change his name.

  2. PD and F on January 31st, 2009 9:49 am

    This scoop, Mr Pribek, is not hubris. [HERE]

    I think you have put a plank in the platform, as it is. We should call your abode “Canned Heat,” I can see the little glowing spot on google earth, right there in the Joe Bald Knob area… is that you? Hi Jack…. *[waving]* see kids right there. It looks like a crop circle there in the ice.

  3. Pat Darnell and Friends on January 31st, 2009 10:18 am

    As a Matter o’ Fact MooPig Boatswains Department had an emergency meeting this morning to discuss the awarding of the Bosun Most Vigilante Award…. see reward [HERE]

    For: Most Vigilant Survey of one’s own Hull, Old Salt Status, Bosun First Class — a bell, winch, chain and gratings. (Courtesy of Captain Yancy S. Williams, USN, 1928)

    That will be sent via GENIE BOOM sometime in the future.

    Let me be first to Welcome you to the Ten Old Salts Bosuns…. [not affiliated with Bison-Tennials past or present]

    Great article. Springsteen-Mart, just beautiful… swung like the yoga stick. pd-in-full\ Pat. Pend.

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