Saturday, September 5, 2009

Walmart KISS Korners (Sept 5)


Wal-Mart Isn't Kutting Korners to Kapitalize on KISS

By Mike Duff

In its battle of the bands with Target, Wal-Mart is getting serious.

Or perhaps delirious, but, no matter what, its latest entertainment initiative looks to be fun and productive.

Wal-Mart revealed yesterday that it would be mounting what it refers to as KISS Korners in its electronics and Halloween aisles to support its exclusive distribution of the band�s new album Sonic Boom.

Among the featured items involved are Mr. Potato Head versions of all four band members in full makeup.

That's not all, of course, even if the Mr. Potato Heads are likely to be a couldn't-top-them-with-sour-cream marketing and sales success, particularly among hard-core KISS fans. The multifaceted KISS Korner merchandise initiative will be in place when Sonic Boom releases on Oct. 6 exclusively at Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs and Walmart.com. The release certainly counts as a value proposition, given that the eleven-track CD is part of a three-disc set that also features a new generation KISS greatest hits CD and a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band's South American tour, all for $12 bucks. Clearly, Wal-Mart is making a pricing statement with its recent entertainment products, one that may pressure other retailers.

Kiss Korners will promote the album and provide fans with an additional opportunity to purchase value-priced merchandise ranging from $5 KISS t-shirts to $10 for the Mr. Potato Head "kollectables." While the electronics department displays may be more instrumental in driving music sales � the band's catalog of earlier recordings will be available, too, with CDs ranging in price from $5 to $9 - the Halloween department KISS Korners could clean up on a particular item, full makeup kits, including character-appropriate wigs, that allow consumers to take on the look of their favorite band member for just five bucks.

Wal-Mart will have a lot of help in promoting its KISS enterprise, as Gene Simmons, will put every effort into maximizing the financial opportunities that arise from the release of Sonic Boom. Besides a commitment to live performance support, he's already pitching Dr Pepper in a major ad campaign for the beverage�s new cherry flavor, one that will bring more attention to the band, the album and Wal-Mart. So expect a full-scale acoustic and commercial KISS assault, one that should make the retailer an even bigger presence on the entertainment and Halloween scenes than it has been. ?>

Monday, August 31, 2009

New KISS photo book on the way (August 31)




Post subject: New Vintage Kiss Photos Book


Website Vintage Kiss Photos has published a collection of classic Kiss photographs as VINTAGE KISS PHOTOS: 1974-1981. The 9x12” 160 pages book includes 300 B&W and color photos. The book, "compiled by veteran KISS photo archivist Marc Scallatino, chronicles the early days of the Hottest Band in the Land. Culled from hundreds of rare, previously unseen images of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, and Eric Carr, this book takes the reader on a thrilling ride through a major chapter in KISS’ history[/i]."

The book is available from Vintage Kiss Photos for $39.95 +S&H.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Canada loves KISS (August 30)


ARMY FLOCKS FOR TICKETS
August 29, 2009

By PATRICK MALONEY, SUN MEDIA

The KISS Army mobilized an especially dedicated battalion to downtown London Saturday morning.

Hundreds of fans lined up outside the John Labatt Centre - including some who stood in line for nearly 12 hours - to get tickets to the legendary rock group's long-awaited return to London next month.

Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. - and first in line was 44-year-old stock broker Cristina Parker, who arrived outside the JLC at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

"Well, it's KISS," she said, when asked what motivates that kind of commitment. "I've seen them 20 or 30 times.

"I've been part of the KISS army since I was 12 years old. (Singer/guitarist) Paul Stanley was my first crush - Starchild, I love him."

Though the skies threatened the kind of weather that would wash the facepaint right off their rock heroes, Parker was among about a half-dozen people who spent the night in line.

By the time the box office opened, there were nearly 100 fans waiting for tickets to what they figure is KISS's first London appearance in nearly 20 years.

April Tuffin, 45, and her 18-year-old son, David, arrived at about 1 a.m. She wanted to make sure they got good seats to her boy's first KISS experience.

For James Edwards, 49, it's easy to explain the dedication that brought him out in the dead of night, hours before tickets were available.

His first ever concert, he says, was in August 1977, when KISS played London Gardens with Cheap Trick as the opening act.

He's seen them several times since, but beyond the live show it's the respect the band shows its fans that keeps him coming back.

He was blown away, he says, when he met the band years ago and Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley signed posters and a guitar for him.

"I said 'thanks for your time' and they said 'no, thank you for your years of support.' How many bands would say that?"

The Canadian tour that stops in London Sept. 29 did meet some controversy earlier this week when Oshawa, which won an online contest to get the band to play there, appeared to be left off the itinerary.

Simmons later said Oshawa was always in their plans and the band hoped to surprise the city with a late announcement. They are slated to play the Toronto suburb Oct. 7.
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