True Blue
Promotional Items
For the full narrative relating to 'True Blue' please refer to the entry under the ALBUMS tab
'True Blue' is an unusual release. It differs from other Madonna albums in that it was issued with it's own unique silver and blue label and this is also reflected in the promotional press kit - at least the one shown here - which comes with a five-page biography printed on A4 sized blue paper. This is therefore a UK copy not a US original. The same is also true of the yellow paper version which is also on A4 paper and lacks the two-tone effect of the logo on a genuine Sire press release. Having said that, at least two other copies of this particular Sire press release have also appeared on yellow paper without the two-tone effect including the copy included in what is no doubt the best collection of press kits in the world, compiled by Lance Davis. See this item, as well as the rest of his phenomenal collection, at: http://lansuresmusicparaphernalia.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/MADONNA
The lack of the two-tone logo on the 'True Blue' press release suggests that this release was initially printed on plain blue paper rather than the customised Sire letterhead and that it was then topped up as required by being copied onto the standard Sire yellow paper. It is probably not surprising that initial releases would have been on blue paper due to the album title - record companies being fond of such gimmicks! This particular press pack continues the 'blue theme' as it also comes with a rare blue-tinged promotional photo. This is unusual as there are two well-known promotional photos which have been widely distributed. These are also shown here along with the yellow version of the press release. As these appear to be UK copies neither came with either a Sire or Warner folder.
The promotional photos for True Blue are a particular mix with most being on the standard b/w paper with full credits but, as mentioned above, some on blue tinted paper and others with different credits. It can be difficult to exlain these variations and I defer to the wisdom of the master press kit collector, Lance Davis:
"In the thousands of press kits I own and have collected - I've noticed that initially a record label will produce the press kit for a particular artist - say Madonna, with a custom or generic record company folder, press release, magazine reviews and at least one photo or numerous photos. As time passes at the record label and an album is several months old, or suddenly there is new interest (due to a hit single) or so - at that point the record label either produces another batch of press kits or they simply just start making copies of the press releases and shipping the kits with copies rather than priginal letterhead. This is what happened with [True Blue]. Most always the label sends high quality promo photos even along with the xeroxed press releases. This also happens sometimes when they've gotten in a pinch and need to ship out media packs to radio or newspapers - so they may no longer have any original press releases left. Most of the time when reviews or magazine articles are shipped along with the press kits - they're always b&w xeroxed copies with color copies from time to time. For example the guy I sell stuff for has gotten many copies of the same artist press kit before, some letterhead was original and some were copied by the labels themselves. Also they will at times change the photo logo's or info depending on when the photo is being shipped. Some photos have dates, label logo, artist logo's and some don't! What is really annoying is when there isn't a date! The early years of Warner Bros./Sire/Reprise didn't have dates on them so you will only see the WB or SIRE logo with the artist name."
As with 'Like A Virgin' there is also a large cardboard display measuring approx. 24"x24". This would have been distributed to the larger record stores for wall hanging display. It is shown here along with an LP for comparison purpose. This item is rarely seen for sale perhaps not helped by it's unwieldy size.
Also shown is what is possibly the first official UK promotional poster. While there are two possible UK promotional posters already listed on this webpage for 'Like A Virgin' neither contains the official Sire logo nor copyright information. Most promotional posters that do have these credits were produced in the US and, helpfully for the collector, clearly also state 'Made in USA'. Crucially, this poster has full credits but omits any mention of being produced in the US. It is also not to be mistaken with a smaller poster, initially used only for promotion in the USA, that was reproduced in large quantities in order to be included with the UK 12" of Papa Don't Preach. The poster shown here is large, measuring 26"x38", and is also pictured below with an LP for comparison purposes.
In 1987, 'True Blue' was reissued as a limited edition LP with a 'Souvenir' poster from the 'Who's That Girl' tour. As part of the general publicity around Madonna's first world tour, advance copies of this release were also issued with a US promotional photo of Madonna live on stage. There are two further photos in the same style, although it is not known whether these were also issued with the LP. However, they are included below.
See also the 'You Can Dance' US press pack which also uses the third photo (with a trio of images) but without the 'Sire' logo. Distinguishing the images used at this time can be a challenge - the 'Who's That Girl' press pack used an image from 'True Blue', the 'True Blue' album was reissued to promote 'Who's That Girl', while the latest album 'You Can Dance' uses an image from the 'Who's That Girl' tour. Which goes to show just how fluid the marketing of Madonna could be!
The lack of the two-tone logo on the 'True Blue' press release suggests that this release was initially printed on plain blue paper rather than the customised Sire letterhead and that it was then topped up as required by being copied onto the standard Sire yellow paper. It is probably not surprising that initial releases would have been on blue paper due to the album title - record companies being fond of such gimmicks! This particular press pack continues the 'blue theme' as it also comes with a rare blue-tinged promotional photo. This is unusual as there are two well-known promotional photos which have been widely distributed. These are also shown here along with the yellow version of the press release. As these appear to be UK copies neither came with either a Sire or Warner folder.
The promotional photos for True Blue are a particular mix with most being on the standard b/w paper with full credits but, as mentioned above, some on blue tinted paper and others with different credits. It can be difficult to exlain these variations and I defer to the wisdom of the master press kit collector, Lance Davis:
"In the thousands of press kits I own and have collected - I've noticed that initially a record label will produce the press kit for a particular artist - say Madonna, with a custom or generic record company folder, press release, magazine reviews and at least one photo or numerous photos. As time passes at the record label and an album is several months old, or suddenly there is new interest (due to a hit single) or so - at that point the record label either produces another batch of press kits or they simply just start making copies of the press releases and shipping the kits with copies rather than priginal letterhead. This is what happened with [True Blue]. Most always the label sends high quality promo photos even along with the xeroxed press releases. This also happens sometimes when they've gotten in a pinch and need to ship out media packs to radio or newspapers - so they may no longer have any original press releases left. Most of the time when reviews or magazine articles are shipped along with the press kits - they're always b&w xeroxed copies with color copies from time to time. For example the guy I sell stuff for has gotten many copies of the same artist press kit before, some letterhead was original and some were copied by the labels themselves. Also they will at times change the photo logo's or info depending on when the photo is being shipped. Some photos have dates, label logo, artist logo's and some don't! What is really annoying is when there isn't a date! The early years of Warner Bros./Sire/Reprise didn't have dates on them so you will only see the WB or SIRE logo with the artist name."
As with 'Like A Virgin' there is also a large cardboard display measuring approx. 24"x24". This would have been distributed to the larger record stores for wall hanging display. It is shown here along with an LP for comparison purpose. This item is rarely seen for sale perhaps not helped by it's unwieldy size.
Also shown is what is possibly the first official UK promotional poster. While there are two possible UK promotional posters already listed on this webpage for 'Like A Virgin' neither contains the official Sire logo nor copyright information. Most promotional posters that do have these credits were produced in the US and, helpfully for the collector, clearly also state 'Made in USA'. Crucially, this poster has full credits but omits any mention of being produced in the US. It is also not to be mistaken with a smaller poster, initially used only for promotion in the USA, that was reproduced in large quantities in order to be included with the UK 12" of Papa Don't Preach. The poster shown here is large, measuring 26"x38", and is also pictured below with an LP for comparison purposes.
In 1987, 'True Blue' was reissued as a limited edition LP with a 'Souvenir' poster from the 'Who's That Girl' tour. As part of the general publicity around Madonna's first world tour, advance copies of this release were also issued with a US promotional photo of Madonna live on stage. There are two further photos in the same style, although it is not known whether these were also issued with the LP. However, they are included below.
See also the 'You Can Dance' US press pack which also uses the third photo (with a trio of images) but without the 'Sire' logo. Distinguishing the images used at this time can be a challenge - the 'Who's That Girl' press pack used an image from 'True Blue', the 'True Blue' album was reissued to promote 'Who's That Girl', while the latest album 'You Can Dance' uses an image from the 'Who's That Girl' tour. Which goes to show just how fluid the marketing of Madonna could be!
LP - in promotional stickered sleeve (rare UK pressing)
1986 interview to promote new album issued on cassette
Press Release
Large Display measuring 24"x24" (shown with an LP for comparison)
Large Promotional Poster measuring 26"x38" (shown with an LP for comparison)
UK promotional photo issued by Channel 4
US Press Pack (copied onto UK size paper)
US Press Pack (copied onto UK size blue paper with blue tinged photo)
LP - 1987 reissue to promote the 'Who's That Girl' Tour:
Advance copy in purple stickered sleeve plus three promotional photos (with 'Sire' logo)
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© madonna-decade 2013
© madonna-decade 2013
