Brussels and London,  27th April 2012

Following on from last month’s launch of pan-European independent charts with the publication of the 2011 Top 20 for both radio airplay and digital downloads, IMPALA and Nielsen continue their partnership with the release of airplay and download charts for the first quarter of 2012.

The Top 20 download chart features 14 new entries, including tracks from Alyssa Reid ft. Jump Smokers, M83 and Bob Sinclar. James Vincent McMorrow’s Higher Love climbs from 61 to 17, while Hot Right Now by DJ Fresh ft. Rita Ora just fails to knock Adele off the top spot, coming in at number 2.

There are 15 new entries in the Top 20 airplay chart, including tracks by Global Deejays, Corneille and Milow. Meanwhile Adele’s incredible success continues, with a strong presence in both charts.

Helen Smith, IMPALA Executive Chair, commented: “It’s good to see so many new entries and such a diverse selection of tracks in these first quarter charts”.

The full Top 20s are below:

Spotify Players…

Background

These airplay 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