When you buy a CD, do you take the time to flip through the CD booklet and read the lyrics, the funny notes from the artist, the thank-yous? This space—hallowed ground for the artist—was wrapped in graphic design that styled the feel of the CD jacket and sometimes the music itself.
Now those booklets are turning into mini magazines, complete with brand ads, thanks to a new partnership between Island Def Jam Music Group and Elle magazine. The first of its kind will be released with the Mariah Carey CD on Sept. 15. Written and designed by Elle, the 24-page mini-magazine will include the usual CD booklet elements, alongside ads from Elizabeth Arden, Angel Champagne, and the Bahamas Board of Tourism, among others.
Then a condensed version will be inserted into 500,000 subscription copies of Elle’s October issue. If all goes well, Def Jam is looking to convert the CD booklets to mini mags for Rihanna, Bon Jovi, Kanye West, and others, according to MediaPost.
