"Achtung Baby Solicitation Kit" - U2

Promotional Release

Track Listing:

Background Information

This promotional press kit was released in a box which was 8.5” x 11” x 1”. The box opens with velcro tabs, and inside the box are contained several items:

  • Solicitation VHS Video (SAC 422)
  • Solicitation Cassette (SAC 422)
  • 4-Page Brochure with Band History and Photos
  • 5-Page Island Records Marketing Plan for Album
  • The inside cover of the box has a short text piece and the album logo.

This promotional item was released in advance of the album, and contained a cassette sampler which featured edits of various tracks that would appear on the album. On the cassette the songs all run together. The songs are not from final edit of the album, and “Mysterious Ways” and “One” have obvious differences from the album versions. These are likely edits of an earlier studio version of the songs, as this box was pressed in advance of the album. At the time of this kit “Until the End of the World” was also being considered as a single for the album.

The video cassette in the kit is 4:40 in length, and contains footage of the band making “Achtung Baby”, announces the album name, and it details release plans for “The Fly” and other singles. The video cassette is in the North American NTSC video format, and comes complete with it’s own unique cardboard case. The sticker on the video cassette labels this video as the “U2 Album Promotion”, and the cover labels it as the “Achtung Baby Solicitation Video”.

The box itself is constructed as one piece, with a front flap that closes with velcro to the back of the box. Inside the front cover is a pocket which came with information about the release, and was printed with the “U2 Achtung Baby” logos as well as the (Ahk-toong Bay-bi) name. On the other side from this pocket is a custom piece, with room for a cassette at the top, and a VHS at the bottom. The insert comes with information about the release of the album:

“Merchandising / Advertising aids: Advertising: All Alternative Weeklies – Details – Entertainment Weekly – Interview – Musician – Option – Rolling Stone – Spin. Trade/Tip Sheet Campaign: Album Network – Gavin – Billboard Magazine – Hard Report – CMJ – Hits – FMBQ – R ‘N R Point of Purchase: Display material includes: – Counter bin to hold CD jewel boxes – 2 × 3 artist poster – album cover blow-up – CD bin header card – Album cover flats. The new U2 album, “ACHTUNG BABY,” is their first full studio album in over 4 years.”

“The Release Schedule: The first single, “The Fly,” goes to radio on October 9th and the cassette single and CD-5 arrive at retail on October 21st. The single includes “The Fly,” “The Fly – The Lounge Fly Mix” and an unreleased track, “Alex Descends Into Hell For A Bottle of Milk Korova.” The video will be released simultaneously with the single. A second single will be released on November 6th to radio and will ship to retail on November 25th. Again a video will coincide with the release of the single. “ACHTUNG BABY” – LP/Cassette/CD will be serviced to radio on November 14th and lands at retail on November 18th. The Package: The new album will be released in two separate compact disc packages, giving the retailer and the consumer the opportunity to choose the format they want. One package will be in a shrink-wrapped jewel box only, and the second package will be in a digitrack configuration. The Tour: U2 plans to tour extensively in the states throughout 1992, beginning in the spring.”

Other notes included in the marketing include listings of the marketing plan, which included track list, list prices, wholesale prices, the release schedule, producers etc, a list of the full album catalog, with release dates, information on the recording of Achtung Baby, and several of the images that would be used throughout the promotional campaign.

Liner Notes

See liner notes for Achtung Baby album.

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Catalog of Releases