UMGD Launches Velocity

VELOCITY GETS UP TO SPEED: UMG is preparing to launch its new Velocity program of stripped-down, lower-priced albums, starting with the April 20 release from Mercury Nashville’s Laura Bell Bundy. UMGD topper Jim Urie says the initiative will eventually encompass most of its releases, alongside conventionally packaged and priced CDs. It’s expected that Walmart and Target will opt to go largely, if not exclusively, with the budget versions, but it has yet to be seen whether Best Buy or indie retail will be able to deal with the smaller margin. (4/8p)