Like A Prayer
Promotional Items
For the full narrative relating to 'Like A Prayer' please refer to the entry under the ALBUMS tab
For once, the UK can claim to have produced one of the most collectable and desirable promotional items - the box set. In a rare move by the UK record company, this special box set was issued to selected media reviewers. This promo set, housed in a unique box, contained the CD, cassette, two promotional photos, a unique badge, a slide, a two-page press release and colour copy sheets (a rarity in the 1980's) of the recent 'Rolling Stone' interview. It also worth noting that the two promotional photos are slightly different from the US versions. Both of these photos have a 'Madonna' credit on the bottom (the 'cap' picture is lacking this credit on the US version) while the main 'prayer' picture has a tighter crop. Too tight in fact as the bottom line of the credits is fading out. Expect to pay anything north of £300 when this item appears for sale.
Every other item is eclipsed by the box set but, this being Madonna's first studio album in three years it received a considerable promotional push. Firstly, there is the usual promo LP with rear sticker but some copies came with a very rare UK promo photo. UK photos can be distinguished from the US versions by their lack of credits but with addition of a small date. It also has the distinction of being the only promo LP (as least featured on this site) which also has a promo sticker on the record label itself.
There is also an insight into the marketing world with a very rare example of a lay-out board containing a full set of preliminary designs up to the final artwork proof for the advertisement for the album. This board was set out for the 'Smash Hits' advert. (See also 'Cherish' promotional section for a similar set of lay-out boards). Due to the possibly unique nature of this item it has only been seen once, for £200.
There is also a counter display stand which contained the empty cases of the cassette and CD and a large promotional poster. Unusually for Madonna, there was no visual image, this being an album where the focus was to be on her music, not her image.
Having said that, there are also promotional posters that were issued to promote the single (and effectively also the album) which used the small image of Madonna that was to appeared on the rear sleeve of the album. (These posters, which were issued in two sizes, will be featured on the Promo page for the single shortly).
Keen to promote the album for as long as possible, a later promotional poster was issued at the end of the decade coinciding with the release of 'Dear Jessie' the fourth and final single to be lifted from the album . This poster, containing a montage of Madonna images, declared her: 'The Face of the 80's... and the 90's!'.
Not surprisingly, the new album was also promoted in the music press with a half-page pre-release advert followed by a blizzard of full page adverts with the album image. The rarest advert mirrors the reissued 'Face of the 80's' poster and was not issued within the popular 'Smash Hits'. Perhaps as an indication of Madonna reaching out to a more mature audience, this advert was only selectively featured in the more 'indie' music magazines.
As usual, this page completes it's round up with the US promotional press pack but before the press pack came an advance press release. This press release came in a Warner folder with two photos, although it is not certain if these photos were originally included together due to inconsistency - one photo on matt paper includes a credit for 'Herb Ritts' while the second, on gloss, does not.
The US press pack also has photos which may or may not have been originally included as again there is a mix of matt and gloss photos. However, perhaps all this is understandable given the sheer promotional frenzy that heralded Madonna's eagerly anticipated new studio album. It is also not usual for promotional photos to be issued and swiftly reissued using different providers. However what is consistent is the five-page biography on Sire yellow paper with the two-tone logo - it was the longest biography to date.
Every other item is eclipsed by the box set but, this being Madonna's first studio album in three years it received a considerable promotional push. Firstly, there is the usual promo LP with rear sticker but some copies came with a very rare UK promo photo. UK photos can be distinguished from the US versions by their lack of credits but with addition of a small date. It also has the distinction of being the only promo LP (as least featured on this site) which also has a promo sticker on the record label itself.
There is also an insight into the marketing world with a very rare example of a lay-out board containing a full set of preliminary designs up to the final artwork proof for the advertisement for the album. This board was set out for the 'Smash Hits' advert. (See also 'Cherish' promotional section for a similar set of lay-out boards). Due to the possibly unique nature of this item it has only been seen once, for £200.
There is also a counter display stand which contained the empty cases of the cassette and CD and a large promotional poster. Unusually for Madonna, there was no visual image, this being an album where the focus was to be on her music, not her image.
Having said that, there are also promotional posters that were issued to promote the single (and effectively also the album) which used the small image of Madonna that was to appeared on the rear sleeve of the album. (These posters, which were issued in two sizes, will be featured on the Promo page for the single shortly).
Keen to promote the album for as long as possible, a later promotional poster was issued at the end of the decade coinciding with the release of 'Dear Jessie' the fourth and final single to be lifted from the album . This poster, containing a montage of Madonna images, declared her: 'The Face of the 80's... and the 90's!'.
Not surprisingly, the new album was also promoted in the music press with a half-page pre-release advert followed by a blizzard of full page adverts with the album image. The rarest advert mirrors the reissued 'Face of the 80's' poster and was not issued within the popular 'Smash Hits'. Perhaps as an indication of Madonna reaching out to a more mature audience, this advert was only selectively featured in the more 'indie' music magazines.
As usual, this page completes it's round up with the US promotional press pack but before the press pack came an advance press release. This press release came in a Warner folder with two photos, although it is not certain if these photos were originally included together due to inconsistency - one photo on matt paper includes a credit for 'Herb Ritts' while the second, on gloss, does not.
The US press pack also has photos which may or may not have been originally included as again there is a mix of matt and gloss photos. However, perhaps all this is understandable given the sheer promotional frenzy that heralded Madonna's eagerly anticipated new studio album. It is also not usual for promotional photos to be issued and swiftly reissued using different providers. However what is consistent is the five-page biography on Sire yellow paper with the two-tone logo - it was the longest biography to date.
UK Promo Box Set
LP - with promo sticker on rear and label in scented sleeve with 'Spanish Eyes' credits. Also comes with very rare UK promo photo
Counter Display with (empty) Cassette and CD cases
Two large 60"x40" promotional posters
Original 'Like A Prayer' proof artwork lay-out board for 'Smash Hits' magazine
Promotional Advert: Three Versions
US Pre-Release Press Pack
US Promotional Press Pack
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013
