Brits boost for Amy

Some acts benefit from music awards

22 Feb 08 - Amy Winehouse could reclaim the top of the album chart following her Brits performance.

She and Paul McCartney are the main beneficiaries of the music awards, but Amy's Brits set - performing Valerie with Mark Ronson and Love is A Losing Game by herself - has put Back to Black in a position to return to number one on Sunday.

Daily sales of the album, which was at number 14 last week, have increased by 46% at HMV stores since Wednesday's Brits.

And Paul McCartney's Outstanding Contribution to Music award and live set could push Memory Almost Full back into the chart after a 515% sales increase in just one day at HMV.

It's estimated that The Brits generate an additional £4 million in retail sales in the six weeks around the show.
Arctic Monkeys' Favourite Worst Nightmare certainly benefitted from a rise of 151% in sales after they became the only artists to win the acclaimed British Group and British Album awards in two consecutive years.

The Gossip's Beth Ditto has been rewarded with a 150% increase in daily sales of Standing in the Way of Control and even though she didn't perform, British Female Solo Artist-winner Kate Nash got a 128% lift in sales of her debut album.

"The impact of the Brits on artist profiles and album sales is becoming more pronounced each year."
HMV Spokesman Gennaro Castaldo

Meanwhile, Mark Ronson's seen daily sales of Version nearly treble overnight, while Kylie's X album is not far behind getting a 242% boost in sales.

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo said: "The impact of the Brits on artist profiles and album sales is becoming more pronounced each year.

"The event, and the huge media and public interest that now surrounds it - both in the UK and internationally, can confirm the arrival of major new stars on the scene, such as Mark Ronson, Kate Nash and Mika, and create the momentum to propel their careers forward.

"The Brit nominations and awards ceremony shows just how diverse and vibrant British music is right now, and how, in particular, fantastic new talent is coming through more quickly than ever."

Other beneficiaries include the Foo Fighters, whose album sales increased by 108%, Mika, whose Life in Cartoon Motion went up by 72%, and Adele, with a 36% lift.

Julie Cullen