Music Magazines, ads, and press coverage

daily business?

I don't think they ever say it's REQUIRED, but it certainly helps.

Of course if you know somebody, or if you put out a record that is really really really good, then it doesn't matter.

Really.

Or at least they give you the ad really really cheap.

Apart from speculation, is there any documentation of this actually happening - someone who worked for a magazine actually stating that this had been the magazine's policy?

Yes it definitely is, I have it in writing as being Amplifier's policy for example - although I don't think I have permission to post the specific e-mail exchange.

When I did a label I would send my releases to magazines and some of them would just reply with an e-mail of ad rates, no mention of the band or getting my package or anything. Not that it was explicit, but I took that to mean, "if you don't advertise, you won't get a review."

Often it's the other way round: often a newish magazine will give a label's bands a lot of coverage specifically in the hope that they'll advertise. I would guess this is actually more common.

speaking of specific email exchanges with amplifier.

The practice is not unusual...what IS unusual it stating that it's your practice so abruptly, and in writing to boot. Usually the editorial director will ask the PR contact after being contacted with a pitch if they'd be interested in purchasing ad space. Our PR manager finds the approach incredibly distasteful, and will often complain to the person's supervisor. We work for a fairly major venue so I suppose we have a bit of leverage. I'm pretty sure she's gotten some people canned for it. With dinky publications, it's often just naiveté, but a lot less forgivable with major outlets (R@di0 D15ney, for example, is awful in this regard and I don't think we work with them anymore).