Managing a mega star such as Beyoncé seems pretty easy, right? When it comes to albums, videos and shows, the money basically prints itself.
But consider the singer's recent self-titled album, which was initially released in 2013 as a set of digital downloads and videos with no promotional buildup.
Jim Sabey would've gladly traded places with you during that process.
"We were all sleepless, anxiety ridden," Sabey told the Financial Times. "We didn't have a back-up plan. We really didn't."
FT reports that Beyoncé chose to release the album on iTunes before pressing CDs because "their corporate culture is shrouded in secrecy."
Despite the innovative strategy, Sabey — worldwide marketing manager at Parkwood Entertainment, for which Bey is president and chief executive — aid that he will never consider the free release strategy U2 and Apple recently used to put Songs of Innocence into the clouds of more than 500 million users.
"I never like to see anything free," Sabey said. "We've never played the pricing game. There's a misconception that recorded music sales are not an important piece of the mix of any artist business. They're still really important."
So, it's settled: fans should not expect any "free Beys" (get it?) in the future. But those at the Global Citizen Festival on Saturday night got free Beyoncé when she joined husband Jay Z for a surprise performance of "Holy Grail" and "Young Forever."
As previously reported, the pair could be working on a new album together. DJ Skee made the big announcement two weeks ago and said the new release could be out this year.
Three weeks ago, word had it Jay-Z announced Beyoncé's pregnancy with the couple's second child during their On The Run tour stop in Paris. He reportedly changed up the lyrics to his track "Beach Is Better," rapping, "'Cause she pregnant with another one."
Though Jay and Beyoncé never addressed the rumors, a photo recently emerged squashing any baby talk. In the photo, Bey can be seen holding a celebratory glass of champagne. The shot was allegedly taken over the weekend while the couple celebrated the end of their successful tour.
