MGM Demo's

[Mrmick]

Hi all.  Don't know if this has been covered before but does anyone know why the cartoon character of the lion holding a record is on some demos and not others.  I have took photos of 2 demos to show differences 

[The Yank]

I'm pretty sure that MGM used the lion on demos from the early 50's (maybe even late 40's) 

until sometime in 1968. Here are 2 promos from '68 one with and without the cartoon character- 

 

[Mrmick]

Thanks.  So maybe it was just a change of label design.  I hadn't given that a thought.  Thanks again 

[Garethx]

The change was around the transition away from the black issue copies to the cyan/tan issue label. 

[Mrmick]

On 23/09/2020 at 13:54, Garethx said:

The change was around the transition away from the black issue copies to the cyan/tan issue label. 

Many thanks

[Soulman]

However, the question remains as to why it was used in the first place and then dropped. Curious as I used to collect MGM demo's and have always wondered. Obviously it relates somewhat to the MGM film studios and the intro on films but why a cartoon variant rather than the more recognisable lion illustration on the later releases. 

[The Yank]

i guess what started out as a good idea for promotion ( handwriting each disc jockey's name on the 

label) turned out to be way too much work and so they just left Leo the Lion on the deejay copies.