Shaun in the News

Shaun was regularly quoted in the news media. His position gave him a special insight into the music industry and he was frequently used as an authoratitive source of industry information. The stories below are a very small example.

First day sales of Idol's debut album disappointing

New Zealand Idol winner Ben Lummis' CD One Road hit music stores yesterday, but first-day sales were disappointing.

Marketing director for Sounds Music Stores, Shaun Joyce, estimated the retail chain sold about 300 to 400 copies nationwide yesterday.

"I was expecting about double that," he said.

Lummis' first single, They Can't Take That Away, exceeded quadruple platinum 40,000-sales status and topped the charts in its first month.

Although first-day business was a little disappointing, Mr Joyce said he expected national sales to pick up throughout the week.

"I'm expecting (Sounds) to do about 3000 by the end of the week," he said.

(Thanks to www.stuff.co.nz for this story.)

Visiting pop sensations delight fans
By LINDA SHACKELFORD

MORE than a thousand excited fans waited for hours outside Botany Town Centre’s Sounds on Sunday to get a glimpse of international pop sensation Atomic Kitten.

Liverpool beauties Liz McLarnon, Tash Hamilton and Jenny Frost took locals by storm when they visited the store as part of their promotional tour for their fourth album, Ladies’ Night.

As soon as the doors opened a procession started to have the casually-dressed stars sign CDs and posters.

Fans went to all measures to get noticed by the divas.

One girl took along her puppy, which won a hug from Jenny Frost, and another fan got his electric guitar signed. Other admiring youngsters presented the trio with gifts.

Sounds marketing director Shaun Joyce said Botany was selected for the in-store promotion because of its family-orientated feel and the younger age groups it attracts.

He said the shop sold more than 200 copies of the pop group’s new album on the day.

Atomic Kitten gave good feedback on their in-store appearance.

“They were happy — they felt it was a lot better than what they did in Australia,” said Mr Joyce.

After signing autographs for nearly three hours, Mr Joyce understands the stars were interviewed by national radio stations before having a Kiwi-style barbecue at Takapuna Beach.

The group also gave a free concert at the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday night.

(Source: http://www.times.co.nz/archives_old/2003/News_2003/news_dec/news_dec2.htm)

Maurice Gibb's death prompts sales bonanza

Death of one of the Bee Gees creates a 500% increase in sales of the group's recordings at NZ stores

20 January 2003

Sales of Bee Gees products have risen dramatically, following the death of Maurice Gibb just over a week ago.

The 53-year-old died three days after suffering cardiac arrest prior to undergoing emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage.

Sounds Music Stores report a massive upsurge in interest in the group at its 45 outlets nationwide.

Marketing Director, Shaun Joyce, says sales are up around 500 per cent on normal figures.

He says he has been surprised by the response, with some of the bigger stores actually running out of stock.

Shaun Joyce says there's been some frantic re-ordering from suppliers in Australia.

The Bee Gees were born in Britain, but grew up in Australia before moving back to England to launch themselves on the British pop music scene.

As well as writing, producing and performing their own hits, the Bee Gees were responsible for writing and producing dozens of hit songs for other artists.

(Source: http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/default.asp?id=28077&cat=985&c=w)