Well, whatever the case is, we can't deny Ayu has some really sucky tie-ins lol

but well we don't know how well tinkerbell's gonna be... I hope it'll be a good tie-in seeing how it's a family-movie and all, but yeah we shall see. I don't really care about the tie-ins though... just good songs and PVs please, we already have gorgeous covers!

This~--Whyyyyyy do they give all the major tie-ins to bands who really don't need it, lol?? D': Meh. Whatever.


About Tinkerbell... At first I was so excited, because I figured this would be one of Ayu's biggest tie-ins in forever...but the more I think about it, the less useful this tie-in becomes. DDD: Guess we'll just have to see what comes of it.

According to various websites, Disney mentioned "...the only icon suitable for this collaboration, and whom shares fame like Tinkerbell, is none other than Ayu." Tinkerbell is a very popular character around the world, and even stamps of Tinkerbell and other Disney Fairies were issued in Japan a few years ago.

I wonder if Disney Channel Japan will play the "You were..." video. They tend to overplay their videos, so if they do decide to air the PV, that'll definitely be a lot of exposure right there. Plus, Disney Channel (in both the US and Japan, at least) always air specials and CMs and such about upcoming TV movies, DVD releases, etc., so I wouldn't be surprised if Ayu appears in a few of those regarding this movie. Goodness knows Disney Channel in the US played MANY specials on this Disney movie, plus the theme song's video, a lot.

Disney films have been crap recently. What's everyone so excited about. *shrug* It looks like another crappy tie in to me.

Sometimes I think that Ayu is who helps this products XDD Even more with this drama that doesn't seems to be really popular.. is like Ayu is gonna help them and not viceversa xDD I don't know if I have explained it well tough...

Yes I completely understand you. ^^

It's seems that it's the same with Panasonic CMs nowadays.
They probably still want her because she sells their products but I'm not sure if those CMs are that appealing on ayu's side since I'm not too sure that those CMs make her singles/albums sell more than they would (or a lot more than they would) without the CMs.

it's not like people sit around and say "hmm, let's see who has lackluster sales right now and give them the new AMAAAAZING tie in." companies are in it for the money too. ayu being slapped onto every brand doesn't necessarily mean cash for the company anymore. in fact the majority of commercials in japan right now don't feature many singers at all. it's usually models, actors/actresses and tarento.

*sometimes* the songs are actually really good and that more than just fans buy the single. i mean, all tie-in's do are play a small preview of the song. most people don't sit around thinking "oh ayu looks so pretty wearing that makeup! imma buy the single!" "that's a cool car...let's go out and buy the single~!" it's "imma buy the makeup/car!"

people buy things that they like now and what they feel is worth the money, with or without a tie in. people didn't buy sunrise because it was sucky, not because it had lame tie ins. likewise, the b'z single was purchased because it had good songs in it. and also, they do still use radios here in japan *sarcasm intended.* it's not like people depend on tv's to hear song previews.

*btw, i'm speaking in terms of CM's, not dramas. people's emotions are played up in dramas and so a link is formed between opening, closing and insert songs and the characters and story which cause more of a sales increase. and i'm also not saying CM's don't have positive effects on songs, but I mean, it's not the sole reason things sell.

It's more likely that they probably have a contract with her that lasts several years. If Panasonic had a choice between Ayu or Arashi or any JE group for that matter, I'm sure they would pick the JE group.

Part of the reason why Ayu doesn't get as many tie ins anymore or any really good drama tie ins is probably simply that the producers would rather have someone else who is more likely to make their product successful or that they feel really fits their drama - pretty much as simple as that.

Exactly. Ayu just simply doesn't have the power with advertisers that she used to and companies are in it for the money.

That's true.

Still, a contract for 7 years? (+?).
She does Lumix since like 2002...

It's either for a long time or the conrtact got re-newed a few times or 2-3 years ago (and she already wasn't the hottest in the market).

That's what I'm assuming. At least then though, she was still more marketable. Notice though that she used to do all Panasonic products, now she seems to be only limited to the Lumix commercials - they have a model doing the other things now.

But still back then there were kumi, ai, yuna ito, angela aki, mika nakashima (and some others too) but still they stayed with ayu for some reason

Anything could be better than Dragon ball evolution xD


So that means I'm happy with the tie-ins for this single :D

lol yeah, that quote translates to "changeable card" or something similar to that, and you're like, "a free theme download" I was like "what? :thud" lol

I think it's because at that time everybody associated Panasonic with Ayu already, so suddenly changing her with somebody else might have been worse. She most likely would not have gotten a completely new contract from another company or for a different kind of product.

I just want to see the You Were....PV :heart It sounds like it's going to be so gorgeous!

beautiful. beautiful cover pics! absolutely dying to hear it...

Here is another person who just went to the cinema to hear Rule, lol. I didn't like the movie U_U.

I was thinking on FNS... It is in 10 days, isn't it? Ayu usually goes there every year, and in the list of guests Ayu doesn't appear. I suppose that they will be putting ayu in the list, but, why this delay? Maybe avex is still planning their advertising strategy? You know, You were.../BALLAD is being releasing on 29th, almost a month after FNS, they might don't want to show the song(s) so early because it could get tired the public to listening to the same song along a month.

So...do you think ayu will be singing any new song in FNS?

^ at this point it's really hard to say anything, considering the tradition of her performing a new ballad, I guess we'll have to wait and see.