Quote:
Originally Posted by *Petit*
Actually ayu's sales never really bombed, proven by so many things among others a constant achievements of numbr ones.
That aside, you are right, there's not that much of a difference. Actually I think the two of them, much more so than being entertainers or singers, they are personally responsible and attatched to the entertainment "brands" ayumi hamasaki and britney. In many ways they're much like Louis Vuitton, madonna, manchster united or nike if you like. They promote certain goods and have tons of people working for them in their name. It's not really "britney spears" as a person people like, it's the work that is made up by lots of people channeled, or presented by britney because, in return she's a person who is a great instrument in making the most money out of those people's production. One of the most important people responsible for britney's success is without a doubt max martin who produced virtually all of her biggest hits. For ayu, equally important people musically are HAL and DAI.
Personally I think that in japan people are much more aware of this, it's something out in the open. To me it seems like western artists are not or at least pretend, not to be aware. That, or as the fan faithfulness is lower, it may be more important for the producrs to find the next "Pretty face"/pretty voice" rather than to put a lot of effort into one person.
ANyways, ayu spoke openly about this in her talkasia interview. It boils down to her being a product. I think she realised this very early as her fame exploded so quickly and this is also why she has taken a much bigger part in her on "merchandise" (yes this includes everything from the brand of clothes she promoted to her concrts and CDs/DVDs). She has obiously emplyed some of the best marketing people in japan which helps her to keep her brand up to date and in demand.
IMO, and it's not really a critique, it's more the result of a personal choice we should respect, it didn't seem britny realised this. If she had, I don't think she would've done the things she did, because as all japanese artists repeat all the time, they will do anything for their fans and thank them ovr and over for buying their stuff. IMO many western artists lack this respect for the people supporting them and thus giving them their daily bread and butter.  |
How interesting your point of view is!
You always have something interesting to add to the discussion
Quote:
Originally Posted by JackieRos
the heck i never heard Ayumi called Britney a product
Although Hamasaki initially supported the exploitation of her popularity for commercial purposes, saying that it was "necessary that she is viewed as a product", she eventually opposed Avex's decision to market her as a "product rather than a person".
Ayumi views herself as a product (i think used to)
I remember in the Duty days that in this magazine they called Ayumi "The Britney Spears of Japan"  and I felt disgusted because Britney is no way close to Ayumi
and now Ayumi is "The Madonna of Japan" |
? Ayu is still, and will always be a product. Until she turns into a non-profit organization...that's just the reality of it all. She doesn't like it...but I think she knows it's not going to change, and she makes the best out of it.
I personally have always felt more correlation with Ayu and Madonna than with Ayu and Britney...I don't really know if there is a "Britney of Japan." I'm not saying they're similar in music or quality of music...just their staying power...
although Madonna is a lot bigger than Ayu
whatever...I just liked Petit's post.