Why all the animosity against the Tims? They're in the music *business*, they don't owe Duran Duran anything. DD wanted three songs, they gave them three songs. DD gave them free rein, basically didn't care what they did as long as they got a hit, and the Tims acted accordingly: Timbaland basically dug a few tunes out of the trash can, fiddled around for a few days, collected his paycheck and went home. Timberlake treated it like a day off, goofed around with Simon, did whatever he felt like, collected HIS paycheck, and went home.
DD didn't push them, didn't make demands or from what I've read really *work* with them to create the music - they just sat back and let them do whatever they wanted. So in return the Tims got the impression that DD didn't really care - so why should they? The money spends just the same.
But Madonna? SHE pushed the Tims. She worked and made demands, knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it done, so precisely they complained about it.
But guess what? They respected her for it. Here was an artist who commanded respect, who wasn't awed by their fame (as DD seemed to be) but who expected them to toe to HER line. They respected it, knew she wouldn't expect any less than thier best and gave it to her. They didn't dare disappoint her. Duran Duran? Eh. Apparently DD was grateful to accept anything the Tims tossed to them.
And it *shows*. Because they put so much sweat into Madonna's work, you can bet the Tims are going to make damn sure the entire WORLD knows about that album. They're going to push it every chance they get, and do what it takes to get those songs as high as they can go. Appearing in videos, multiple mentions in interviews, Justin inducting Madonna into the RnR Hall of Fame - whatever it takes.
RCM? Nah, just a paycheck to both of them. Why should they promote it, or care about it? It was just a lark. Timbaland is really rather contemptuous of Duran Duran, and for all his confessions of being a fan Timberlake seems almost embarrassed to be associated with the album.
Both artists are only treating Duran Duran the way the band acted like it deserves to be treated. DD didn't command respect when it was needed; so it's unreasonable to expect that they're going to get it from the Tims now. The Tims have moved on, and has bigger fish to fry. DD was 2 years ago to them; Madonna is NOW. That's just the way it is.