Starbucks and Lava Records are making hay over the entry of the debut album byAntigone Rising on the Billboard Album chart – even though the CD is available only through Starbucks stores.
Is this a sign that Starbucks can break new music?
Yes and no.
I think it’s a sign that when you have a fast-changing clientele of music-curious patrons and, more importantly, a range of music offerings only about six CD’s deep, lack of choice alone can propel a CD onto the bestseller list. As the saying goes, any port in a storm.
What this proves, I think, is the value of focus. The worth of simplicity. If you emphasize one thing and do it clearly and make it simple, you can move that product.
Even when you can’t preview the product in the store before you buy it.