The Christmas Album CD (2011)

[FanInPlymouth]

It costs them more to buy them from EMI than it does for us to order them from Amazon.

Is it just me? Or is life really this bizarre? We know Amazon tend to charge lower prices than anyone else, but to charge an artist more for a wholesale CD than Amazon charge retail makes no bloody sense whatsoever! Someone at EMI needs a slap!

[maartendas]

Hmm, strange. I know that for my poetry books I can buy them from my publisher for a lower price and sell them for the normal price that they would cost in the bookstore and keep the extra money as a kind of mini-mini-mini-profit (trust me, it's THAT mini... actually it's nano ). But having to pay MORE for your own CD than a customer would pay when buying from Amazon? There's no logic in that. EMI wants to favour Amazon perhaps, to move customers away from direct purchase from Libera and to Amazon so Amazon gets more customers who might also buy other stuff from them. It must be some kind of deal like that.

I guess you could virtually slap EMI staff but it all comes down to business. We're all involved in these systems of offer and demand, whether we like it or not.

[Murkskis]

As you may have noticed, the 91808 (the group photo) is very nice but for some reasons it have been uploaded by EMI with a technical "noise" that covers all the photo...

Fortunately Bullehynka have worked on this photo and she succeed to remove that noise !!
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6003 ... ltered.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you very much Bullehynka !!

Thank you so much from me as well!
What a picture One of the best I think.
Pictures like that really sells me the light side of life
However, if EMI sells the album to Libera for higher price than to their clients, this is sad indeed. Especially when we remember that Libera is a charity...
BTW, the new album can be found on ''Bestsellers in Christmas Music'' list (on Amazon.co.uk) in the 4th place today

The image of the Guardian article is also very nice- dynamic and full of energy!
Like it as much as the article itself

[phlibera]

first time to see most of the pics, as none of them are part of the Christmas Album. Why??

I was surprised that they're not part of the CD booklet as well (at least for the Philippines edition). Actually there's no cd booklet at all. The regular Philippine edition seems to be like the deluxe edition minus the Christmas tree decoration. It has song cards instead of the booklet. And the pictures in the song cards are not from this photoshoot. A bit unfortunate, but doesn't really matter that much to me.

[dani]

Thank you so much from me as well!
What a picture One of the best I think.
Pictures like that really sells me the light side of life
However, if EMI sells the album to Libera for higher price than to their clients, this is sad indeed. Especially when we remember that Libera is a charity...


The image of the Guardian article is also very nice- dynamic and full of energy!
Like it as much as the article itself

But EMI are a business. They are there to make money and Libera are not a big earner so they take what they can get.

[Murkskis]

But EMI are a business. They are there to make money and Libera are not a big earner so they take what they can get.

Yeah, they are a business.
Anyway, even in terms of the business - a successful company just has to care about their customer satisfaction and sales.
As a customer and fan I'm not too happy about the ''pricing policy'' as it is. And I have a feeling that I'm not alone
Regarding the sales, the picture is pretty grim- EMI makes lost album sales on concerts! I suspect that's the result of their ''pricing policy''! And it keeps repeating
But Libera can sell out their Premium tickets without any marketing campaign in no time! As usually

IMHO, Libera can sell quite a few albums. I just took another look at the ''Bestsellers in Christmas Music''.
EMI has put the price of Libera's new album very close to the price of Bieber's newest album and they ARE doing well (despite the fact that I haven't heard anything about a large marketing campaign in UK. Imagine the numbers, if one would be launched!). Boyle's album is much cheaper- who knows what would be the place of her album if it were priced above 10 £...
Having said that, I hope I'm not disrespectful to other artists that are listed. It's not my intention at all.
For instance, there is a good chance that I will buy a Bocelli album. His performance on SoP 50 event was better than good or simply outstanding . You can find his album on the second page of that top.
Do you still think that Libera is not a big seller?

[dani]

No Libera are not a big seller.

Libera are a front loader. It means they sell for the best few weeks as all the fans buy straight away and then sales drop away.

That is why Libera make no money or next to no money on albums as they do not sell consistently. They have a few good weeks and then sales dwindle to a halt.


And of course they sell well at a " concert in London" its their home. It will be filled with friends and family. When they went up north they struggled to get 100/150 people in at a concert.
Thats the real truth right there.
And if EMI are cruel for taking money off Libera then how about Libera changing parents for concert tickets? .. after all its there sons who they have to ferry all over the place. It works both ways

[Murkskis]

They have a few good weeks and then sales dwindle to a halt.

You could apply this to any album of any artist- the interest slows down gradually.
Actually, the truth is somewhere in between. They are not as big as the biggest mainstream pop stars. But the fact is you can find them on charts even in UK, despite the small numbers at concerts outside London. Which is not their best market (I'm still speaking in terms of business).
However, they attract crowds in some other markets. I mean the big concert halls in Japan (Tokyo), Korea, Philippines. I was impressed what I read about the crowded venues in Canada as well. My guess is that they will arrange a bit smaller venues/churches in USA for the next time, but I still think they are doing pretty well in the States.

And of course they sell well at a " concert in London" its their home.

Hmm, I think I heard something about all CD's were sold out at some concerts, when they were put on sale.
Sorry, I can't really remember on the spot, I think it was during their US tour.

And if EMI are cruel for taking money off Libera then how about Libera changing parents for concert tickets? .. after all its there sons who they have to ferry all over the place. It works both ways

Changing parents for tickets? Well, you could say that about any sports team that goes abroad
Or how about summer camps?
EMI is not really cruel. However, I just can't see the point of their 'pricing policy'. It's not good enough. Even if we put aside the fact that I am a biased fan I still hope my comments made some sense even on business terms

[labbie]

Hmmm, I just noticed something odd about the link to Amazon.ca on Libera's official website shop. I clicked on the Canadian flag icon and noticed that when the collection of CDs was displayed, the Christmas album was not among them. The U.K. and U.S. Amazon links from Libera's site do offer the Christmas CD. Yet, when I went directly through Amazon.ca, and not through Libera's site, the deluxe edition was displayed. I would like to see Libera get a commission from the sale when I buy a CD, and it would make sense, since I live in Canada, to buy from Amazon.ca. However, I don't know if Libera will get a commission if I go directly through the Amazon site. I may have to buy from the U.S. Any thoughts on this?

[dani]

They have a few good weeks and then sales dwindle to a halt.

You could apply this to any album of any artist- the interest slows down gradually.
Actually, the truth is somewhere in between. They are not as big as the biggest mainstream pop stars. But the fact is you can find them on charts even in UK, despite the small numbers at concerts outside London. Which is not their best market (I'm still speaking in terms of business).
However, they attract crowds in some other markets. I mean the big concert halls in Japan (Tokyo), Korea, Philippines. I was impressed what I read about the crowded venues in Canada as well. My guess is that they will arrange a bit smaller venues/churches in USA for the next time, but I still think they are doing pretty well in the States.




But its not gradual in there case . i am sure if you looked at there sales they have a massive few weeks then they dry up. Adele, Lady Gaga and co its pretty consistent and they can stay in the charts for 40 weeks . Libera sell loads the first few weeks then just come to a halt.

Because with Libera the hardcore fans all rush to buy the album and then sales basically dry up. If they was big sellers then Libera would make some kind of money off the sales which they have admitted they do not as they dont break even.

[maartendas]

But its not gradual in there case . i am sure if you looked at there sales they have a massive few weeks then they dry up. Adele, Lady Gaga and co its pretty consistent and they can stay in the charts for 40 weeks . Libera sell loads the first few weeks then just come to a halt.

Because with Libera the hardcore fans all rush to buy the album and then sales basically dry up. If they was big sellers then Libera would make some kind of money off the sales which they have admitted they do not as they dont break even.

Well, Adele and Gaga etc get loads of exposure - what exposure does Libera get? I believe they could be as big if they did the whole media thing the way those artists you mentioned do them (er, maybe Gaga is not the best example though but you get my idea). Most people find out about Libera by accident or through a friend or family member. Mostly via Youtube or attending a concert. But it's all done at grass roots level, almost unintentional. And pretty much everyone goes "wow" when they first hear Libera - the ones who don't usually aren't the audience for it anyway. But if you would take that kind of response and put a full on media campaign to go with it, I think Libera could be big.
But - here's the catch - I don't think Libera wants to be big. The drawback of their modesty and wanting to stay a charity and not "show business" is that they end up at the other end of the spectrum where they're struggling to stay alive. And boy are they good at it. They work so hard and the standards are constantly being pushed. I am just so impressed and humbled by their hard work and what they can show for it. I honestly am. But the truth is, and you're right about that - they do struggle. And it's because (well I think that is the reason) they choose to stay away from the show biz circus. Which is definitely part of Libera's charm.
Either that or EMI is really unwilling. And I don't believe that. They're a business after all, and I have faith in the people responsible for Libera at EMI that they really do care. We complain, and often rightly so, but our viewpoint is ofcourse far from unbiased

[JimmyRiddle]

Libera is right up there in the top league of EMI's biggest revenue earners within the 'EMI Classics' range of artists. I wouldn't even begin to compare and put them up for competition in the overall 'popular' music catagory because it would be unfair to pitch a group of school age children who undertake their 'libera' duties as a part-time hobby against juggernaughts of marketing and publicity that drives the likes of Beiber and GaGa etc... EMI despite all it's financial screw-ups in recent years, is a very large company, and 'EMI Classics' is one particular branch that in my oppinion would be very pleased about the progress 'libera' as made in recent years.

And of course they sell well at a " concert in London" its their home. It will be filled with friends and family. When they went up north they struggled to get 100/150 people in at a concert.
Thats the real truth right there.

The truth is not even halfway to the gate. Libera have pulled near sold out performances at Beverley, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin - and if memory serves me well, wasn't Bristol very low on turn-out last year. Last time I checked, I don't think Bristol was in the North. Sure they will always sell out in central London due to family, friends and large population etc, but let's not think for a minute that they don't gather the audiences further 'north' because apart from one or two exceptions (Chester/Harrogate) almost all the other 'northern' venues have been extremely well attended.

[paul]

Libera is right up there in the top league of EMI's biggest revenue earners within the 'EMI Classics' range of artists. I wouldn't even begin to compare and put them up for competition in the overall 'popular' music catagory because it would be unfair to pitch a group of school age children who undertake their 'libera' duties as a part-time hobby against juggernaughts of marketing and publicity that drives the likes of Beiber and GaGa etc... EMI despite all it's financial screw-ups in recent years, is a very large company, and 'EMI Classics' is one particular branch that in my oppinion would be very pleased about the progress 'libera' as made in recent years.

And of course they sell well at a " concert in London" its their home. It will be filled with friends and family. When they went up north they struggled to get 100/150 people in at a concert.
Thats the real truth right there.

The truth is not even halfway to the gate. Libera have pulled near sold out performances at Beverley, Edinburgh, Belfast, Dublin - and if memory serves me well, wasn't Bristol very low on turn-out last year. Last time I checked, I don't think Bristol was in the North. Sure they will always sell out in central London due to family, friends and large population etc, but let's not think for a minute that they don't gather the audiences further 'north' because apart from one or two exceptions (Chester/Harrogate) almost all the other 'northern' venues have been extremely well attended.

We can also look further in other country's, almost all of there Canada venues where sellouts. I'm sure they packed out most USA venue's and I feel that the Philippines is going to be a massive hit.

Absolutely amazing for a group of school children.

[labbie]

In terms of publicity, aspects of which other members seem to be mentioning in their posts in this thread, I keep coming back to the inroads that Libera made in my native Canada. One wouldn't really expect every venue to be filled to bursting, as they often are in places like Japan or the Philippines where they already have enthusiastic fanbases which seem to be more aware of them and are more inclined to support their music. However, Libera did play to some sellout audiences in Canada, although not in all the venues. Canada does not have many overt ways of getting classical or choral music out to the public. There are very few radio stations that play this sort of music. I cannot speak for countries such as those which I mentioned above because I do not know what is really popular over there. I do know that in Canada, classical music has a relatively smaller fanbase when compared to other genres including adult contemporary (light pop, classic rock, and so on) and fanbases for current artists like Lady Gaga, and others. Libera did quite well on their first tour here, as I have already said, but the tricky part now is to keep the people interested in staying with them. More promotion will have to occur, and if Libera can make return visits to other countries as they do, then why not Canada? It would be interesting to know what elements are necessary in order to keep up the interest in any future return tours. What role would ordinary supporters play in helping to publicize this group? I put this post here because it seemed to be related to the impact that Libera's popularity as well as promotion, has upon the size of concert audiences.

[Lauren]

Hmm, I think I heard something about all CD's were sold out at some concerts, when they were put on sale.
Sorry, I can't really remember on the spot, I think it was during their US tour.

That was Canada, where some of the CD's available sold out. There were no CD's available for US 2011 Tour since Libera looses money bringing them to the concerts.