A biography for the 21st century

DAVID MEAD "MINE AND YOURS"

RCA Marketing Strategy Bulletin
For Internal Company Use Only--- Confidential!

To: All Marketing and Publicity staff
From: Senior VP of Marketing
Objective: To find a way to introduce DAVID MEAD to a wider audience

Everyone here at the company knows that DAVID MEAD is a brilliant songwriter and an incredible singer. He can win over any size audience with a band or just an acoustic guitar and a microphone. But we're all painfully aware that in today's cutthroat marketplace it's JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH! Even a fabulously talented guy like David still needs a hook! Hence, here are some possible marketing strategies for this amazing new record. I look forward to your comments and/or suggestions.

PROPOSAL #1: REINVENT ARTIST AS LATIN HEARTTHROB. This may be tricky, as David speaks little or no Spanish and can only dance the Charleston. The right choreographer and stylist will be key for this strategy to succeed.

PROPOSAL #2: TARGET ANGRY TEENAGE MALES. For this approach to succeed, we will need to secure David a slot as the first acoustic-based singer/songwriter on OZZFEST or the WARPED TOUR. Also, pursue photo opps with members of Slipknot or Mudvayne. Intelligent, sensitive lyrics should be distorted into random screaming and/or rants about troubled childhood.

PROPOSAL #3: HAVE EMINEM OR SEAN PUFFY COMBS USE PROMINENT DAVID MEAD SAMPLE IN NEXT SINGLE. This strategy rarely fails and often provides elusive "street cred."

PROPOSAL #4: HAVE DAVID MEAD START FEUD WITH OTHER CONTEMPORARY MALE SONGWRITERS. The media loves feuds! David Mead vs. David Gray? David Mead vs. Dave Matthews? David Mead vs. Richard Ashcroft? (International Markets Only)

PROPOSAL #5: INFILTRATE JAM BAND MOVEMENT. (Note to Wardrobe: supply of tie-dye shirts, hacky sacks and hair extensions will be required to pull this off convincingly.)

PROPOSAL #6: SECURE INTERNATIONAL REVLON CAMPAIGN. Liz Hurley is out... David Mead could be this year's hot new face!

PROPOSAL #7: TELL THE TRUTH. Let the press and general public know that David Mead is a truly unbelievable pop songwriter in the classic mold, that he possesses a soaring voice that must be heard to be believed, that his music is everything most of today's is not: sincere, intelligent, superbly crafted, beautiful. Let them know that his new record "MINE AND YOURS" (produced by Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne and Ivy) was recorded in New York City last summer. Tell them that David is in another league from the vast majority of the records they are currently bombarded with...

Retraction... That would never work.

DAVID MEAD BIOGRAPHICAL BULLET POINTS

- Born 1973, Syosset, NY. Matured in GA, MN, AL, TN, FL and TN, respectively.

- Raised by overwhelmingly musical mother (Sheryll). Solos in church choir. Olivia Newton John Concert (1st). Castratoesque notes in 1984 Briarwood High School production of "The Sound of Music."

- Father (David, Sr.) single-handedly revolutionized sales and distribution of facsimile machines (1982).

- Began playing guitar and writing songs in 1986. The passion of James Taylor in the style of Men at Work.

- Began playing in clubs with bands in 1989.

- Misplaced virginity in 1991.

- Participated in various musical groups while living in Nashville and Orlando (1989-1998). Failed audition for Lou Pearlman on account of inability to dance the lambada. Toured recklessly as a member of Southeastern stalwarts Joe, Marc's Brother. Signed first autograph. Smoked cigarettes.

- Signed to RCA in 1998.

- Attended Miles Copeland¹s "Troubadors Des Vintages" songwriting workshop in France.

- Released debut record "The Luxury of Time" in September of 1999. Critical acclaim. Loyal fan base.

- More reckless touring with Eagle Eye Cherry, Liz Phair and Shelby Lynne, to name a few.

- Songs featured in film soundtracks for "Boys and Girls" and "Restaurant."

- Tedious court battle over custody of chihuahua (Greg).

- High hair.

- Coveted chart position in Malaysia.

- Moved to New York City in 1999. Furious period of writing. Self-discovery. Metamorphosis. Loss of baby fat. Cold light of morning. Weakness for pepperoni sliced very, very thin.

- Recorded follow-up effort, MINE AND YOURS, in New York during Summer of 2000. Produced by Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne, Ivy). Tracked at historic Sear Sound (John Lennon, Lou Reed, Patti Smith). Mixed by Bob Clearmountain. Featured musicians Shawn Pelton (SNL Band, David Byrne, John Fogerty), Danny Weinkauf (They Might Be Giants), and Jon Skibic (Gigolo Aunts, Juliana Hatfield).

- Currently under investigation by RIAA for artistic deference and manipulation of identity.