RCA MUSIC GROUP PULLS OUT THE STOPS ON CLARKSON

Clarkson’s third album, the follow-up to the six-million-selling Breakaway, is in a battle with teen phenom Miley Cyrus’ second Hannah Montana album for Disney, the debut having racked up an impressive 2.6 million in sales. Both are expected to sell between 325-350k and finish 1-2 on the HITS Top 50 Album Sales chart next Tuesday, the day before Fourth of July.

And when Clive Davis and the RCA troops decide to go for something, watch out.

Insiders report that Davis himself is personally overseeing the campaign to make sure everything is done right, and every opportunity is taken so Clarkson gets the exposure she needs for a successful chart debut.

The album is being supported with an iTunes pre-order campaign, along with a “360” Media Ad push. There is also aggressive price and positioning as well as circular advertising at Target and Best Buy, with programs also in effect at Anderson, Trans World, Borders, Circuit City and Amazon.

Clarkson has already appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America and The Early Show. She’s graced the covers of People, Elle, Reader’s Digest and USA Weekend Magazine.

There are also numerous mobile sales/promotions going on at all the major cellular providers, including AT&T, Cingular, Disney Mobile, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Let the race to the finish begin.