Alliance Entertainment's AMPED Distribution Scores Big with Physical Distribution of USHER’s "Coming Home" Record
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Insights
The strategic timing of USHER's album release by AMPED Distribution, just before his Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance, is a calculated move designed to capitalize on the heightened exposure and surge in consumer interest that typically accompanies such a high-profile event. The decision to ensure availability in both physical and online retail spaces, including prominent retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Target.com, is indicative of a comprehensive omnichannel marketing strategy. The collaboration with mega/gamma/Vydia and the distribution of multiple formats (CD and vinyl LP) caters to diverse consumer preferences, potentially driving up sales volume across different demographics.
The surge of USHER's track 'Good Good' to #13 on Top 40 radio is a testament to his current market relevance and could be a leading indicator of the album's commercial success. This kind of radio success, combined with the publicity of the Super Bowl, can create a multiplier effect on album sales, streaming numbers and merchandise sales. For investors and stakeholders in Alliance Entertainment, the impact on revenue could be significant, especially if the album and the artist's performance resonate well with the audience.
Alliance Entertainment's focus on the physical distribution of music, in an era where digital consumption is dominant, highlights a niche but still viable market segment. Physical album sales have a higher profit margin compared to digital streams, which could positively affect the company's gross margins. The involvement of high-profile producers and artists in the album 'Coming Home' suggests a substantial investment in production, which Alliance Entertainment likely anticipates to offset with robust sales figures, leveraging USHER's star power and the Super Bowl platform.
Investors should monitor the post-release sales performance closely, as it will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of Alliance Entertainment's distribution strategies and their impact on the bottom line. Additionally, the success of this release could set a precedent for future releases, potentially influencing the company's stock valuation and market position within the entertainment distribution industry.
The entertainment industry often sees a synergy between major events and product releases and USHER's album 'Coming Home' is a prime example of this. The Super Bowl, being one of the most-watched events in the United States, offers an unparalleled promotional platform. The involvement of L.A. Reid, a music industry veteran and the formation of the music collective mega, in partnership with USHER, are strategic moves that blend industry expertise with celebrity influence.
It is also worth noting the album's recording in Atlanta, GA, a hub for R&B and hip-hop music production, which could resonate with fans of the genre and contribute to the album's authenticity and appeal. The collaboration with international artists like Jung Kook from BTS indicates a pursuit of global market appeal, which could translate to international sales and further diversify Alliance Entertainment's revenue streams.
Launch Timed Perfectly for Megastar’s Upcoming Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show
PLANTATION, Fla., Feb. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Entertainment Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: AENT), a global distributor and wholesaler specializing in music, movies, video games, electronics, arcades, toys, and collectibles, today proudly announced a dynamic start to 2024 for its Independent Music distribution arm, AMPED Distribution, with the launch of the physical release of the highly anticipated album "Coming Home" by pop and R&B sensation USHER on February 9, 2024.
USHER recently appeared on an episode of Shannon Sharpe's weekly YouTube podcast Club Shay Shay that has garnered more than 2.2 million views to date. Adding to the lead up he revealed the track listing on the album which features collaborations with Latto, The-Dream, H.E.R., and Pheelz as well as a remix track from Jung Kook (BTS) and USHER.
“Coming Home” is being released via mega, a music collective founded by L.A. Reid and USHER in partnership with gamma. The album was mainly recorded in Atlanta, GA with many of Atlanta's hottest producers including Sean Garrett, Lil John, The Avila Brothers, Mel & Mus, Tricky Stewart, Rico Love, The-Dream, Jermaine Dupri, and D Mile, among many others. This strategic release ensures availability in brick-and-mortar stores just in time for the Friday street-date, preceding the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show from the mega-star on February 11, 2024.
"AMPED Distribution is hitting all the right notes in 2024, and we're thrilled to be part of this exciting venture," remarked Jeff Walker, CEO and CFO of Alliance Entertainment. “As the excitement builds for USHER’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, AMPED Distribution ensures that fans can experience the magic of ‘Coming Home’ both in-store and online. The collaboration between Alliance Entertainment, AMPED Distribution, and USHER promises a memorable musical journey for fans worldwide.”
Dean Tabaac, Head of AMPED, added, “We are privileged to be collaborating with mega/gamma/Vydia to bring multiple versions of USHER’s ‘Coming Home’ in CD and vinyl LP formats to prominent retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, indie Retail, Pop Market, Target.com, Urban Outfitters and more. USHER's track ‘Good Good’ featuring 21 Savage and Summer Walker has surged to #13 on Top 40 radio, showcasing the artist's current radio success. With USHER’s rising radio success, upcoming TV appearances, and the highly anticipated Super Bowl performance, we are well-prepared to deliver this blockbuster record release to both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers.”
About Usher
Usher has changed music, culture, and countless lives. The multiple GRAMMY Award-winning diamond-selling international megastar, actor, dancer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist inspires change yet again in 2024 and beyond. Selling over 80 million records worldwide and collecting dozens of awards, he has simultaneously lit up the small screen on NBC’s The Voice and the big screen in blockbusters such as Hustlers. He has also tirelessly distinguished himself as a devout humanitarian, raising tens of millions of dollars for various causes and uplifting youth via his New Look Foundation. Since 1999 he has been providing opportunities for young people in underserved communities and enabling them to flourish and achieve seemingly impossible dreams. A true outlier, he is equally at home on the 2023 stage of his sold out My Way Las Vegas residency as he was on a 2016 government cultural mission to Cuba as part of President Barack Obama’s Presidential Committee for Arts and Humanities. This new album marks the creative reunion of Usher and L.A. Reid, who haven’t worked together since 2004’s Diamond certified Confessions.
About AMPED Distribution
AMPED is one of the fastest growing, top-tier independent distributors committed to developing and growing independent artists and labels worldwide. A part of Alliance Entertainment, AMPED gives the indie community access to a global distribution system with the largest sales force, a seasoned and skilled staff that provides a suite of services and data second to none. AMPED’s customer base is the largest in the industry directly servicing brick and click retailers large and small along with (DTC) direct consumers. AMPED’s growing roster of labels include labels such as Believe Digital, Better Noise, Big Loud, By Norse, Cleopatra Records, Compass Records, Compound Interest, Earache, Empire, Epitaph Records, Firebird Records, Flatiron, Fuga, GoodToGo, Herp Alpert Presents, Hopeless Records, Iconic Artist Group, IDLA, Integral (PIAS, Harmonia Mundi), Kai Media, Kartel, Lex Records, Mascot, Merge Records, MNRK (eOne, Dualtone), Nettwerk Music Group, Nuclear Blast, Polyvinyl, Proper Music Group, Rebel Records, Reservoir Media (Chrysalis, Tommy Boy), Ruf Records, Secretly Music Group, Shanachie, Smithsonian Folkways, Sub Pop, Vydia, Warner Classics and more. For more information, visit www.ampeddistribution.com.
About Alliance Entertainment
Alliance Entertainment (NASDAQ: AENT) is a premier distributor of music, movies, toys, collectibles, and consumer electronics. We offer over 325,000 unique in stock SKU’s, including over 57,300 exclusive compact discs, vinyl LP records, DVDs, Blu-rays, and video games. Complementing our vast media catalog, we also stock a full array of related accessories, toys and collectibles. With more than thirty-five years of distribution experience, Alliance Entertainment serves customers of every size, providing a robust suite of services to resellers and retailers worldwide. Our efficient processing and essential seller tools noticeably reduce the costs associated with administrating multiple vendor relationships, while helping omni-channel retailers expand their product selection and fulfillment goals. For more information, visit www.aent.com.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this Press Release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether identified in this Press Release, and on the current expectations of Alliance’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as and must not be relied on by an investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction, or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of Alliance. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including risks relating to the anticipated growth rates and market opportunities; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the ability of Alliance to execute its business model, including market acceptance of its systems and related services; Alliance’s reliance on a concentration of suppliers for its products and services; increases in Alliance’s costs, disruption of supply, or shortage of products and materials; Alliance’s dependence on a concentration of customers, and failure to add new customers or expand sales to Alliance’s existing customers; increased Alliance inventory and risk of obsolescence; Alliance’s significant amount of indebtedness; our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness; our ability to continue as a going concern absent access to sources of liquidity; risks and failure by Alliance to meet the covenant requirements of its revolving credit facility, including a fixed charge coverage ratio; risks that a breach of the revolving credit facility, including Alliance’s recent breach of the covenant requirements, could result in the lender declaring a default and that the full outstanding amount under the revolving credit facility could be immediately due in full, which would have severe adverse consequences for the Company; known or future litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of time and attention and the additional costs and demands on Alliance’s resources; Alliance’s business being adversely affected by increased inflation, higher interest rates and other adverse economic, business, and/or competitive factors; geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations; risk that the COVID-19 pandemic, and local, state, and federal responses to addressing the pandemic may have an adverse effect on our business operations, as well as our financial condition and results of operations; substantial regulations, which are evolving, and unfavorable changes or failure by Alliance to comply with these regulations; product liability claims, which could harm Alliance’s financial condition and liquidity if Alliance is not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims; availability of additional capital to support business growth; and the inability of Alliance to develop and maintain effective internal controls.
Connect with Us:
Follow Alliance Entertainment on www.aent.com
Follow AMPED Distribution at www.AMPEDDistribution.com, www.facebook.com/AMPEDDistribution, www.instagram.com/amped_dist, www.twitter.com/Amped_Dist, www.linkedin.com/company/amped-distribution
AMPED Press Contact:
Jocelynn Pryor
Marketing@AMPEDDistribution.com
For investor inquiries, please contact:
MZ Group
Chris Tyson/Larry Holub
(949) 491-8235
AENT@mzgroup.us
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0def4db5-a6a5-43cf-82f8-6306d8a26694
FAQ
When is the physical release of USHER's album 'Coming Home'?
Which retailers will carry multiple versions of USHER's album?
What collaborations are featured on USHER's album 'Coming Home'?
What is the current radio success of USHER's track 'Good Good'?
When is USHER's Super Bowl LVIII halftime show?
