[tokyoxjapanxfan]

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.