LOS ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ MUDVAYNE Official Website) - There's a new game in town, and who better than MUDVAYNE-one of the most creative and distinctive bands in the aggressive music world with sales exceeding 5 million units worldwide-to lead the way. The band has come up with a groundbreaking strategy that offers fan multiple benefits when they purchase the band's upcoming CD THE NEW GAME. "We created 'The Album Is The Ticket' program to give back to the fans that have supported us for so many years," says CHAD GRAY, vocalist for MUDVAYNE. "Traditionally, over the life cycle of an album, a fan purchases a CD, DVD, tickets to a show and a fan club membership, generally spending over $100 for the experience. For the launch of THE NEW GAME, fans can experience all of these elements for well under $40.00."
"The Album Is The Ticket" (TheAlbumIsTheTicket.com) is the name of the unprecedented program that MUDVAYNE has created for the November 18, 2008 release of their first studio album in three years and fifth LP overall via Epic Records. THE NEW GAME was produced by the band and Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Evanescence, Simple Plan). The album's first single "Do What You Do" goes to active rock radio September 23. The first leg of "The New Game Tour 2008"-their first in three years-launches October 28 in El Paso, TX and wraps December 20 in Orlando, FL.
To coincide with the release of THE NEW GAME, MUDVAYNE has teamed with Best Buy and Ticketmaster for "The Album Is The Ticket," an innovative program that is uniting the sales of CDs and concert tickets in order to build momentum within the music industry. When a fan pre-orders THE NEW GAME (regular CD or deluxe edition with special packaging) via www.BestBuy.com/Mudvayne, they have the opportunity to purchase a ticket for "The New Game Tour 2008": each pre-sale physical CD (with free shipping) will be accompanied by a code that will grant each fan access to a private fan club area on TheAlbumIsTheTicket.com where they can purchase a "The New Game Tour 2008" concert ticket on a first come, first served basis (while supplies last). They'll also receive a one-year membership to the MUDVAYNE fan club, which includes exclusive access to a myriad of added value content from MUDVAYNE, including previously unreleased video footage and a free track before the CD's release. "The Album Is The Ticket" pre-sale for THE NEW GAME is now underway. Note: Consumers who order the CD on or after Thursday, September 18 will receive an email with their code immediately; prior to that time, codes will arrive within 24 hours. In addition, when you pre-order the CD at BestBuy.com/Mudvayne, if the Best Buy price-online or in-store-has dropped by the release date, you'll automatically be charged the lower price. Upon the album's release, each copy of THE NEW GAME will also contain a unique code that grants access to the program.
In the face of a music industry that has been turned upside down and had to reinvent itself, MUDVAYNE is determined to continue responding to the future with innovative opportunities for fans. The one ticket per CD purchase also helps ensure fair ticket prices for all MUDVAYNE fans. "By bringing together Best Buy and Ticketmaster and utilizing cutting edge online technologies, we are able to save our fans money and prevent them from getting taken advantage of by scalpers," says MATT MCDONOUGH, drummer for MUDVAYNE.
In addition to "The Album Is The Ticket," MUDVAYNE is inviting bands to compete for an opening slot for MUDVAYNE on the upcoming fall tour. Radio stations in various tour markets will be hosting a competition for local bands to compete for an opening spot for MUDVAYNE in their market. LA Lloyd, Program Director of KISS-FM in San Antonio, TX, notes: "99.5 KISS is extremely excited about Mudvayne coming back to play for their San Antonio fans. Additionally, we love that the band has made it possible for us to give a handful of local bands an opportunity compete for a slot on the bill and to share the stage with Mudvayne."
"Mudvayne are the undisputed heavyweight champions when it comes to redefining the music industry landscape in a way that empowers their fans," notes band manager Jonathan Cohen of Zen Media Group. "On their last CD, By The People For The People, fans chose the songs and album artwork; by bringing Best Buy and Ticketmaster together to support their fourth studio album and tour, Mudvayne is now able to offer their fans even more content and a better album experience for substantially less than what they'd normally spend for an album, concert ticket, fan club membership and more."
"MUDVAYNE have continued to stand apart from the pack with creative thinking and their unique relationship with fans," says Charlie Walk, President of Epic Records. "We're excited to release THE NEW GAME in a unique way that will engage their fans while also attracting a new audience."
"Best Buy is excited to work with MUDVAYNE and Ticketmaster on this innovative effort," said Missy Shouler, music merchant for Best Buy. "We're always looking for new, innovative ways to reach out to music lovers. This program literally makes the CD a ticket to a wide range of exciting entertainment experiences."
As an added innovative component, MUDVAYNE has teamed up with Virtual World Meez Nation to be the first band mirroring its release in a virtual world. "Mudvayne is being truly groundbreaking in taking advantage of the many innovative ways to connect to their fans," said Sean Ryan, CEO of Meez. "7 million Meez Users can not only stream Mudvayne music and share their thoughts, but also have the options of buying the music and concert tickets from inside Mudvayne's Roomz in Meez Nation."
