Future Publishing Slash convention

Specialist publisher Future is breaking new ground in the magazine market by covermounting the debut solo album of former Velvet Revolver and Guns ‘n’ Roses guitarist Slash on a special issue of Classic Rock Presents magazine next spring.

While it’s certainly not a new concept to put a CD on the front of a newspaper or magazine in a bid to boost sales – two years ago a Mail on Sunday giveaway of Prince’s new album contributed to increased sales of 600,000 copies – where Classic Rock differs is that it’s charging readers an additional £7 on its £7.99 cover price.

The question is: How likely is it that consumers will part with £15 for an album that they’ll be able to buy in the shops when it’s globally released or buy online for much less money?

Being a quarterly, specialist title, Future will undoubtedly be planning to rely on many independents to get this issue into the hands of rock fans. All you have to do is decide whether to tie up your money in it in the hope of making a hefty margin of £3.75 per copy sold.