Perfect Vision: The Return of Justin Timberlake

Get out of your seat, and go drape yourself in your favorite suit and tie combination, because in case you have been living under a rock, Justin Timberlake is BACK! 

 With the release of his third solo studio and comeback album, The 20/20 Experience (RCA Records), on March 19^th, JT’s return to music was – and still is – one of the most impeccable in the industry to date. Within a week on shelves - both physical and digital - according to Nielsen SoundScan, the project had sold a whopping 968,000 units, landing atop the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The promotion behind the project was admirable to state the least. First, there was the announcement in the form of a visual teaser directly from Mr. Timberlake via Twitter days prior to the release of leadoff single, “Suit and Tie” featuring rap megastar and friend, Jay-Z. Followed by an awe-inspiring Grammy Award Show performance, another Saturday Night Live host spot – marked his fifth appearance, and a weeklong featured guest on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.” Additionally, you may have noticed a styled-up Justin Timberlake in a Target advertisement and/or heard his melodic single as the audio backdrop in a Bud Light Platinum campaign.  Wait, there is more. On February 22, Justin and Jay-Z announced a 12-stop tour, slated to kickoff July 17^th at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario and wrap up August 16^th at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida, appropriately entitled “Legends of the Summer Tour.” Lastly, in an effort to spike digital pre-order sales, iTunes made the album available for stream the day before it was made available for purchase. Needless to say this marketing plan was very detailed and highly developed.Strategic? Without doubt! There was not a single coincidental occurrence with the album’s build up or release. Beneficial? Certainly. As the album looks to continue to climb the charts at a rapid pace, and Justin Timberlake can stake his claim as current pop king. Genius? I would be one of the first to say! It is clear Team Timberlake put forth a beyond solid effort in what some would call one of the most remarkable returns to an endeavor to date. I am surely impressed. Are you?Image Sources: AP; Getty Images