By Dan Satherley
The release of Mariah Carey's new album Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel will be partly bankrolled by advertising in the CD's booklet.
According to Billboard, the "mini-magazine" is a co-production with Elle and will include advertising from Elizabeth Arden, Carmen Steffens, Le Metier de Beaute, Angel Champagne and the Bahamas Board of Tourism.
Sales of albums are down in the US by 14 percent on last year, according to Neilsen Soundscan, and labels are desperately trying to find ways to keep making money. Carey's last album, 2008's E=MC2, failed to reach 2 million sales, despite the one before it, 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi, selling well over 10 million.
Island Def Jam chairman Antonio Reid told Billboard he wouldn't be surprised if more artists incorporate advertising into their album booklets: "The idea was really simple thinking: 'We sell millions of records, so you should advertise with us.'"
The label is reportedly considering similar moves with Kanye West, Rihanna and Bon Jovi.
"I know [Disney] love to monetize all over the place for something like a Jonas Brothers record," Reid told Billboard. "Open any rap record and a couple of inserts will come flying out, usually for a business the artist is a part of."
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