The Republic Project reinvents the special edition music box set for the digital age. Users who pre-order albums on the service will get access to exclusive behind the scenes video shot by the band while recording the new album, access to artist blogs, as well as additional ‘fan only’ content like live chats and access to rare tracks. The albums on the Republic Project will be available as DRM-free MP3s.

This is a really smart approach that makes use of the 80/20 rule — those top 20% of your fans/users/readers will pay more to get more of your brand/services/content if you give them a reasonable way to do so. Also cool: makes use of the Flip Mino HD handheld camcorder. What other business models does cheap handheld HD make possible? Can’t wait to find out.

[via Republic Project: Reinventing the Box Set for the Digital Age - ReadWriteWeb]