Brussels and London, 8th March 2012

For the first time ever, the success of independent music is being monitored with dedicated pan-European charts. Produced by Nielsen Music for IMPALA, these unique charts are based on digital downloads and radio airplay across Europe.

These new insights will bring increased coverage of independent artists’ successes, addressing both the requirements of the business for information and consumers’ needs for awareness and exposure. Putting a spotlight on the artists’ work and the labels that make it happen benefits the whole industry.

Nielsen Music will produce two charts for IMPALA:
– Top Independent European Digital Download Chart
– Top Independent European Radio Airplay Chart

These quarterly charts will be launched for the first quarter of 2012 for IMPALA members. The project will also include year-end charts.

The collaboration kicks off with the publication of the Top 50 for 2011 in the trade magazine Music Week.

Quotes

Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Nielsen on this new project. Very little information is available about independent music on a pan-European level. Our new charts aim to level the playing field and provide a deeper and more diverse picture of the most successful music in Europe.”

Jean Littolff, Managing Director, Nielsen Music: “Nielsen Music is thrilled to be producing these new charts, thanks to our extensive and unrivalled pan-European coverage in both digital sales and airplay monitoring. They reflect the achievements of IMPALA’s independent record company members across Europe. Nielsen Music is constantly investigating new ways of contributing and bringing further insights to the music industry: monitoring success through independent charts reflects the richness and diversity of the music business, and will benefit the whole industry.”

Background

These new charts are part of IMPALA’s bid to promote the brand of European independent music. This project, for the first time ever, monitors the success of independent music with dedicated pan-European charts. Produced by Nielsen Music as official charts provider for IMPALA, these charts bring increased coverage of independent artists’ successes, addressing both the requirements of the business for information and consumers’ needs for awareness and exposure. Putting a spotlight on the artists’ work and the labels that make it happen benefits the whole industry.
 


About Nielsen Music

Nielsen Music is the measurement reference of the music industry, and the market data and research partner of choice for the music sector. Our locally based teams of research and music experts across Europe bring the best set of comprehensive, robust and quality insights to our music clients. Nielsen Music data allows the industry to access, understand and interrogate radio and music television airplay, digital download sales, internet behaviours and consumer generated media (buzz), complete advertising information and significant global consumer and ad-hoc research capabilities.
Nielsen Music is successfully working with more than 500 clients representing all elements of the music chain: record companies/music labels (majors and independents), radio and TV stations, music publishers, performing right organisations, artists and their management, digital media and services, mobile phone companies, retailers, the video game/gaming industry, consultancy firms, and the media. Nielsen Music (www.nielsen-music.com) is a part of Nielsen (www.nielsen.com), the leading global market research company.

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in April 2000 to represent independent music companies. 99% of Europe’s music companies are SMEs. Known as the “independents”, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases. SME’s also produce 80% of Europe’s jobs. Their potential is enormous but is hampered by complex barriers to trade and severe market access problems.

IMPALA has its own award schemes to help promote cultural diversity and new talent and highlight the artistic contribution of independent music. IMPALA award winning artists include Efterklang, Adele, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Carla Bruni, Manu Chao, Corneille, Katie Melua, Franz Ferdinand, The Prodigy, Placebo and Ibrahim Ferrer (Buena Vista Social Club).

More press information

Didier Gosset, 
IMPALA

Tel: +32 2 503 31 38 dgosset@impalamusic.org

Helena Kosinski, International Marketing Manager Nielsen Music

Tel: +44 (0)20 7420 9296 h.kosinski@nielsenmusiccontrol.com