Editors selling your CDs?!?

Sending CDs to editors who will SELL your promos!!?
Current mood: argumentative

I just read an interesting article about how editors will ask PR firms to send them CDs without any intention of writing about the client in their publication. This does raise a cause for concern because after all, these artists and even labels at many times, cannot afford to do so, and they are taking a chance in hiring PR and going for publicity in order to increase sales, etc. Now, not all places do this and even if it happens, chances are if you're smart, you know that selling music isn't your only avenue for financial gain in the music industry anymore... But rest assured MLC PR clients don't have to worry. We don't do mass mailings anyways. This was my comment on the article.

This is a very interesting article. Thank you to Ariel for bringing
such things to the public's attention, however, this should be taken
with a grain of salt. First, not all PR firms operate without
considering their clients' expenses. At MLC PR we take pride in
considering every dime spent whether it's for sending CDs, charging for
supplies or even quoting a retainer fee. We don't MASS MAIL CDs unless
it is the ONLY way a publication will consider a review, which luckily
these days is pretty rare because there are some really cool
"NON-SHADY" for lack of a better term editors and writers who will
cover your clients' work because of their love for music. We find ways
to get the client's music in front of the writer. producer, etc. before
even sending a CD and even then, sometimes we do digital links or email
MP3s. Everyone has their own ways of doing things but after reading
this I am glad my firm doesn't fit into this black hole of CDs in a
pile so to speak... My clients will be grateful! :)