This weekend, both Justin Bieber and One Direction launched their latest albums—Purpose and Made in the A.M. respectively.
Purpose is Bieber’s fourth studio album, and Billboard has even gone as far as to say that “from a PR perspective, Purpose is the album Justin Bieber had to make.” After running around rampant over the last few years, the 21-year-old had to settle down a bit and produce a much cooler, laidback album to prove that he’s maturing as an artist. At least that’s what the media says.
Then, on the other hand, there’s One Direction. Made in the A.M. is the boy band’s fifth studio album, and the first to not feature former member Zayn Malik, who left the band in March. It is also the last album before their planned 2016 hiatus. All this is to say that there has been a lot of pressure on the boys to produce an album that resonates and appeases their loyal audience.
Now, both the Biebs and One Direction have MASSIVE dedicated fanbases—Beliebers and Directioners—and there are even those hybrid fans who identify as both. So there’s no surprise that there’s been a lot of press surrounding the decision to release their latest studio albums on the same day. But who, according to online news mentions, was the most popular this weekend? I used MediaMiser’s patented Enterprise technology to find out.
I’ve been trying to find the physical copy of #Purpose deluxe in so many stores since like Saturday. What an unfortunate time in my life lol
— ultimate purpose (@bieberdexter) November 16, 2015
The two most important charts for the boys are the US and UK charts! We want them to go #1 on both so they get their 5th #1! #MadeInTheAM — BUY MITAM! (@1DCentral_) November 16, 2015
#purpose (deluxe) has been in the #1 spot on the Canadian iTunes Charts since it came out
— ☾Jessie (@JustinftAriana4) November 16, 2015
Between Friday, November 13 and Monday, November 16, Biebs has had over 5,000 online news mentions alone, but only approximately 2,400 of these accounted for the release of his album. What are other articles talking about? Some were more positive, discussing Justin’s prayer for those in Paris at his Saturday concert in L.A. But many revolved around how he’s trying to charge $2,000 for a meet-and-greet on his Purpose tour (which, in turn, lead to #justiceforbrokelieberstrending on Twitter):
DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY FOUNDATIONS AND BROW PRODUCTS I CAN BUY WITH 2K ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE ON MY DEATH BED LOOKING FLY #justiceforbrokeliebers — sas (@sassybiebsx) November 16, 2015
Justin: wants people to treat him like a normal person but wants $2000 for a selfie #justiceforbrokeliebers pic.twitter.com/dgIJ7D1Lm8
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieburnt) November 16, 2015
As for the beloved Irish-English boy band, One Direction has had over 2,700 online news mentions in the same time period, and only approximately 700 of these articles actually made mention of Made in the A.M. Other news mentions cited how Harry Styles met Prince Harry, Liam’s obsession with Harry Potter, and thoughts and opinions on their upcoming hiatus.
Am i right? #purpose #MadeInTheAM pic.twitter.com/huiqxtDler — HE FOLLOWED ME (@eaudebieber) November 16, 2015
LIAM HAS THE BLUE HARRY POTTER CAR IS THIS WHERE MY MONEY GOES BC I APPROVE
— fia (@marveIhes) November 16, 2015
Though Justin may have won the online news battle in terms of numbers, the winner for album sales is yet to be crowned, as the numbers for both Purpose and Made in the A.M. will be released later this week.
Do you think online news mentions will predict who will reign supreme when it comes to sales? Who do you think will be the true winner?
