Thursday 21 May 2009

New product post #3: Digipacks vs. Jewel Case - majority decision reached

I’m all for improvements in CD packaging – have been for a long time. I’ve talked about it both on this blog and during my time at the IFPI.

Indeed, in a memo to Guy Hands last year (did anyone in this industry not write a Memo For Guy?) my first recommendation was for him to take the initiative in transforming CD packaging across the piece - no more jewel cases.

Labels and music retailers should show the customer that the industry cares about its product and release all CDs in the superior digipack format (preferably using recycled materials).

After all, until we discover the value in digital music, surely the best route to monetization in the current music business, is through a better physical product?

Of course this call to action is naive, because it would cost the industry money to do this, and it isn't necessarily a cost that can be passed on to consumers. The CD is a volume product. Not only that, it is rapidly being commoditized. UK single artist CD prices have fallen by one-fifth over the past five years, from an average of £10.21 in 2003 to just £8.10 in 2008.

To reverse this trend is probably impossible. However, it's conceivable that music buyers’ perceived value of a CD album is, in this day & age, much lower than its current price. A notable shift in the quality of packaging (coupled with content extras) might be enough to hold CD prices where they are, or at least allow retailers to stem the relentless tide of discounting.

There is of course, a long list of logistical manufacturing issues to contend with. The digipack is more labour-intensive (someone has to stick the booklet on the inside card cover) and has longer lead times than jewel boxes. Demand planning is trickier, since jewel boxes are interchangeable with any CD booklet insert, whereas a digipack cover is printed specifically for that title. You need to plan carefully for how many you can sell - and who on earth can judge that accurately in this most unpredictable of businesses? In summary, it's difficult, costly and risky for any one company to move unilaterally on this issue.

Until now that is. At long last, there is a real catalyst to change CD packaging for the better. That catalyst is the environment, which music industry organization Julia’s Bicycle has articulated superbly so far.

At a recent event Hosted by Sony Music, Julie’s Bicycle took the opportunity to begin the process of aligning some key packaging goals across the whole music business. The facts are pretty compelling, as recently published in the Julie’s Bicycle report ‘Impacts & Opportunities, Reducing the Carbon Emissions of CD packaging’:

  • The recording industry could reduce its packaging emissions by up to 95% by switching from the plastic jewel case to card packaging
  • Consumers would prefer card packaging, particularly heavy CD buyers. More than half of those surveyed (55%) preferred the card wallet version of Coldplay’s Viva la Vida to the jewel box version
  • 75% of CD buyers agreed it would be a positive step to shift to environmentally friendly packaging
  • Some manufacturers are developing even more environmentally friendly versions of the digipack (the current digipack format already reduces emissions by two-thirds compared with the jewel case)

So the call to action is right there. As Tony Wadsworth put it at the event “I don’t see that there has to be a dichotomy between commercial goals and environmental goals, especially if we take a long term view”. Quite right too, especially when consumers would support packaging changes. Julie’s Bicycle has set out a roadmap for change with the ultimate goal of discontinuing the jewel case. In 2009 the major labels and Beggars Group have set a target to reduce emissions by 10%.

As for artists, ask any A&R or marketing exec, manager or indeed artist, which packaging they prefer. It’s a no brainer – artists would kiss goodbye to the jewel case in a second (probably preferring some ridiculously expensive alternative such as embroidered velvet, but hey, they care!). Beggars Group claims that nine out of ten artists request alternative packaging for their releases.

It’s about time we retired an old, much-hated, faulty product. I say product, because for some consumer goods, the product is the packaging! Packaging plays a key role in music – with CD buyers firmly attached to liner notes, artwork and tangibility. Putting music into beautiful but responsible boxes sets a great agenda in extending the lifecycle of the industry’s core product. After all, just letting the CD wither on the vine until we wait for digital revenues to materialize is a do nothing option that won't be enough in the longer term.

7 comments:

Penny Distribution said...

My friend's company, The Spitfire Agency, took a lot of these ideas on board back in 2002 and released RHCP's "By The Way" on card "made of 10% hemp/flax, 50% post consumer waste, 20% pre consumer waste, and 20% responsibly harvested wood."

http://www.spitfireagency.com/case_rhcp.html

http://www.spitfireagency.com/case_livingtree.html

Sarah is a true visionary in environmentally concious business, especially within the music industry. Maybe something the folks at Julie's would be interested in hearing more about? Drop me a line if you like and I can hook you up.

Sheryl Miller said...

Hi Keith

Do you know if anyone has ever trialled personalised, self-printed card packaging? eg. kid goes into record shop, there is a machine in the corner - a bit like the one in card shops (Birthdays must have a few spare going), calls up the album/track data, chooses from a selection of images and personalisation options, prints off, folds it up, puts in cd, goes to till - done... Should I patent it???

Keith Jopling said...

In response to these initial comments:

Nick I will certainly pass details on to the folks at Julia's Bicycle, thanks.

Sheryl - I think low-run or on-demand special packages, including personalised options - are a valid part of the CDs future. If, and it's a big if - someone can make it commercially viable. Doesn't Live Nation owned Music Today do this? Or it did do, I'm sure. I suggest you research it a bit more but I like the idea.

K

Keith Jopling said...

+ just seen TuneCore's on demand CD printing deal with Amazon, interesting.

Andrew said...

"After all, until we discover the value in digital music, surely the best route to monetization in the current music business, is through a better physical product?"

What are you basing this assumption on? I'm not sure I follow that logic...

Keith Jopling said...

Andrew what I mean is, noone has really figured out a way to make digital music work economically yet, other than say iTunes, operating on very thin margins and subsidized by iPod sales.
Subscription services are struggling, mobile services have struggled. Ad-funding is under pressure, etc. etc.
So I think it's a valid strategy for the music co's to up the ante on physical goods and maintain or increase value that way. Until we figure out a way to make digital viable.

Josh Caldwell said...

Do what Cloud Cult has done in the past and ask people to send them their not wanted Jewel Cases that would other wise end up in the trash to be reused for packaging of Cloud Cult CDs – of course no major is going to take the time to do this but small start ups could offer people that donate jewel cases discounts on CDs or send them something special through the mail or a free digital copy of the CD they are helping to put out.