Direct to the Dope Show
Just when you thought direct marketing was getting drab, shock rocker Marilyn Manson livens things up by joining its ranks with his own online retail store (www.marilynmansondirect.com).
The e-commerce site accompanies his official Web site (www.marilynmanson.net), not to be confused with the many extant fan sites. Both were developed by Artist Direct, with the full cooperation of Mr. Manson.
Among the most popular items being purchased by loyal Manson fans are a 1999 calendar, Manson’s latest CD, “Mechanical Animals,” and the Manson bomber jacket. The store also includes “Internet-only” merchandise such as autographed posters, musical instruments and original art created by Marilyn Manson, as well as memorabilia and the entire catalog of Manson CDs and cassettes.
Artist Direct claims site traffic has consistently exceeded 10,000 visitors per day.
Mr. Manson himself is often on the site’s bulletin board and chat rooms, where a special “omega” symbol reveals his presence.
Artist Direct’s purpose is to bring one-to-one marketing to music groups and their fans. The company’s New Media arm (it also has a talent agency and record label) has created several Web stores to give famous acts a DM moniker, including Korn (www.korndirect.com), Slayer (www.slayerdirect.com) and Ozzy Osbourne (www.ozzydirect.com).-TW
