December 27, 2007

By By Aymeric Pichevin, Paris

Warner Music France has launched a new physical format, entitled the "artist box", which bundles a CD with memorabilia such as caps, bracelets and photos.

"We remain convinced that a large share of the audience also likes to own objects belonging to their artist's universe," says Emmanuel Mougin-Pivert, GM of Warner Music France 360-degree division, in a statement.

The first two artist boxes were Dec. 10 releases from hot newcomer Christophe Ma? and veteran artist Franck Michael.

The company says it shipped respectively 5,000 and 3,000 copies of each artist box, which sell for ?35 ($50). A Warner Music France spokeswoman tells Billboard.biz that the company has since shipped new copies of the boxes.

Warner France will release a Sheila box on Jan. 2, which Billboard.biz understands will sell for around ?60 ($87).

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