Bits & Bytes 12/16

Monday, December 16th | Beyoncé Doesn't Need Publicity...

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Monday, December 16thBeyoncé Doesn't Need Publicity... Publicity needs Beyoncé. That was how Wired summed up the brilliance of Friday's release. Apart from just being a treat (it's incredible), the surprise album had the internet reeling: no self-promotion, pre-orders, or teasers? Oh my! The album is projected to sell over 600k in its first week. Clearly, the element of surprise was critical here. A $15.99 iTunes exclusive "visual album" doesn't just fly off the digital shelves unless 1) it's a "must have right now" and 2) it's a "wait, I really can't find this anywhere but iTunes? Fine."To some, this is a story about the "new music industry" and a new model for "putting art before hype." Others point out that this stunt was only successful because of the millions of advertising dollars spent on Beyonce over the course of her career. That's a lot of pre-hype. Meanwhile the industry darling and 2013 supergirl, Lorde, released a surprise new track on the very same day as Beyoncé... tough luck.