Mapping Propaganda Volume 3

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2026-03-21)

To promote the “Days of Ash“ EP in-store, Universal Records put together a plan to print and distribute copies of the Propaganda magazine which had launched digitally with the EP. We’ve been tracking the release of this numbered issue of the magazine and we’ll present some of the information about the distribution and release of this issue below. But first, for those who wish to take a look, we’ve compiled a map of where copies of the issue is showing up in the world…the links pop up again at the end if you wish to read through first.

Total Numbers

Contacts at Universal had originally shared with us that 2500 copies were printed and distributed for this magazine. As each copy was numbered, it hasn’t been hard to see that number was somewhat close. We haven’t seen any issue over 2299, and do suspect that the total print run was 2300 in total. (Although there’s always a chance some just haven’t shown up yet.)

Home vs Shop

The limited magazine was initially intended to be an in-store promotion. No physical version of the EP was being made available in stores, and the magazine was seen as a way to include independent record shops even if the EP wasn’t sold in shop. Although announced on the day of release, details were limited on the exact plan for these limited copies. When announced on March 5 the details were made clear, these magazines would be available in a list of independent shops made public via U2.com, and a limited number would be made available to subscribers of the fan club.

Distribution of these issues was not done by the fan club. Rather it was handled direct by the record label. Distribution was handled via Universal Records in the UK for that region and much of Europe. Distribution was handled by Interscope Records in California for copies in North and South America, as well as copies in Australia, New Zealand, and other areas.

Distribution

Issues 1 – 700 were available in store. Likewise issues 1001 – 1701 were available in stores. In total it appears 1400 copies were sent to stores, and 900 went direct to subscribers out of the 2300 produced. 60.8% were sent to stores, and 39.1% were distributed by mail / courier to subscribers.

In total we know of 129 stores worldwide received the magazine. This includes the 127 stores published in the list at U2.Com, and we’ve since learned of two stores in Australia that also received the magazine. That suggests an average of 11 copies per store, but we saw most shops getting between 8 – 10 copies of the issue. We suspect there are a few other stores that we are unaware of that also got copies of the issue. If you know of any, please, give us a shout.

Locations

We’ve been collecting data for a map of locations where the magazine ended up in the world. We’re happy to share that with you now. We’ve mapped where they ended up rather than where they are available, and you can view that information on the map. We’ll keep the map open for a bit yet if you wish to add your own copy, and have a survey set up to take your information if you wish to be added.

To date we’ve received information on where just over 300 numbered copies have arrived. From that data a few trends can be seen.

Issues 1 – 1000 were distributed by Universal Records in Europe and the UK. This included the 700 copies available in store, and 300 copies that were sent out to subscribers. (70% in store, 30% to homes)

Issues 1001 – Issue 2300 were distributed by Interscope Records from an address in California. Issue 1001 – 1701 were distributed in stores, and the remainder, 1702 – 2300 were sent to home. (roughly 54% in store, 46% to homes)

Interscope in California handled distribution to stores in the USA, and also copies couriered to homes in the US, South America, Mexico, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Norway. The stores in Australia which received copies had them coming from Universal in Europe.

In Shop Visits

The purpose of the Universal promo was to get people into shops. So we asked the question of those picking up a copy in shops…is this your regular shop? We allowed a few answers, and the majority chose “it’s my usual shop.” (44%) A number of people had visited the store before, but did not shop their usually. (25%) And there was some success getting people into new shops for a look around. 31% visited the shop for their first time to look for this magazine.

Fan Club Issue

So what’s next? The fan club has their own version of the magazine planned as part of the annual subscription gift. Announced last week, the gift consists of a CD pressing of “Days of Ash” and comes with the Propaganda magazine, harkening back to the days when we got the occasional surprise with the magazine like Melon and Hasta La Vista Baby!. Like those gifts, this physical pressing of “Days of Ash” will be sent out in a card sleeve with the magazine. The gift also will include a single poster, featuring art from the EP, one of seven posters in total.

The subscriber version of the magazine will be a separate printing, and will likely not be numbered on the front cover. But the contents otherwise should be the same as the digital issue, as well as this limited version. If you do decide to subscribe, don’t forget to go back to redeem your gift. You must do this process to receive your gift.

Those links from the start again to view our map of the Propaganda locations and to contribute?

Thanks to everyone who has participated to date!

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