Integrity Music and Time Life will release Hymns4Worship – Amazing Grace, the first release in a new hymns series, on June 22. Hymns4Worship is the follow-up to the Songs4Worship collections that have sold more than 7.5 million units to date.
The 22-hymn collection includes some of the best loved hymns of all time including Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “I Surrender All” and “It Is Well With My Soul,” sung by platinum artists Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, MercyMe and other contemporary Christian and worship music favorites. The 2-disc set also includes seven new hymn recordings by Darlene Zschech, Kristin Chenoweth, 4HIM, Eoghan Heaslip, Brian Doerksen, Paul Baloche, Israel and Leann Albrecht.
"This new Hymns4Worship recording brings these well-known hymns together with some of the most popular and gifted artists today," said Chris Thomason, Sr. VP of Integrity Label Group. "We hope the result brings new life and memories to the great hymns while introducing a new generation of worshipers to these songs."
As with the Songs4Worship series, the cornerstone of the marketing campaign for Hymns4Worhsip – Amazing Grace will be television. National television advertising will be conducted, not only to produce direct sales, but to build awareness for the product at retail. Testing of TV and direct mail offers are currently wrapping up and a national launch is set to begin soon.
“Songs4Worship has been the biggest-selling praise and worship series in the history of the Christian music industry, and a huge part of the success is due to the unprecedented television advertising exposure for the series, which drove consumers to their phones and retail stores for sales. We have planned a similar strategy for the new Hymns4Worship series,” said Daniel McGuffey, chief marketing officer for Integrity Media.
Integrity Music plans comprehensive marketing support, with television being just one component. At retail, all product will be stickered “As seen on TV,” and will be included on Word Distribution’s WARP Listening Units. POP merchandising materials and endcap kits will also be made available to retailers and Hymns4Worship will be featured in major Christian retail chain catalogs this summer.
Additionally, Hymns4Worship will be advertised in June and July issues of Christian Retailing, Christian Music Planet, Charisma and Faithtalk. One million core consumers will be part of an e-card blast and other internet promotions. Church promotions will include video clips being service to broadcast ministries and programs as well as the top churches in the U.S. Finally, radio will support the project with the release of singles from among the seven new recordings as well as radio advertising and promotional giveaways. Specific hymns to be singled and ad dates are still pending.
