(CelebrityAccess News Service) – Newbury Comics, Inc. has inked a deal with Clear Channel Entertainment to distribute CCE's "Instant Live" CDs to consumers nationwide. Instant Live is Clear Channel's music service providing music fans high quality CD sets of live performances, recorded and sold at the venue immediately after a show. Together, Newbury Comics and Clear Channel Entertainment will be offering Instant Live CD sets to fans across America, who were unable to attend the Instant Live concert through Newbury Comics retail stores and an aggressive Internet marketing effort.
"The Instant Live concept has already proven itself with live concert fans at our test venues," says Steve Simon, executive vice-president of Clear Channel Entertainment, "and when we looked to retail, we knew that Newbury Comics would be a great ally to bring innovative marketing, solid retail insight and a true passion for all types of music."
Mike Dreese, CEO of Newbury Comics, adds, "It is extremely exciting to be collaborating on such an interesting venture. The new business model which Clear Channel Entertainment and Newbury are pioneering together will be a giant step forward in bringing high value, timely content to music fans, whether at the concert or through retail. This is also a great avenue for many artists, who are currently unsigned to get their music out to their fans."
In addition to sales direct to consumers, Newbury Comics, will soon be wholesaling Instant Live CDs to other progressive retailers through its online wholesale distribution company, Toothface Distribution (toothface.com).
The first Instant Live CDs available for distribution will be select live shows from the jam band moe. Clear Channel Entertainment and moe. have produced CD sets as the tour has progressed. Between five and seven recordings from the band's current tour are expected to be released to select retailers. Additional CD sets from other Instant Live shows will be made available through Newbury Comics and its Toothface Distribution in the months ahead.
The 25-year Newbury Comics, Inc. is New England's premier music and pop culture retail chain, with 24 stores in four states and revenues in excess of $75,000,000.00 last year. Newbury has been named "Retailer of the Year" by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers four times. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
