Official Charts appeal to labels over launch of Digital Audio Database (DAD)

18/11/2010

 

The Official Charts Company and Millward Brown are reaching out to independent labels and distributors to help streamline the move towards a new Digital Audio Database for the UK Official sales charts.

From January 1 2011, Millward Brown - compilers of the UK’s Official audio and video charts on behalf of the Official Charts Company since 1994 – will launch a brand new Digital Audio Database (DAD) in order to identify digital track and bundle sales for Official Chart purposes.

Millward Brown are in the process of building the database and are already receiving data from Sony Music, EMI Music, Universal Music and Warner Music, as well as aggregators, Ioda and The Orchard. Discussions are also advanced with Consolidated Independent, PIAS & Southern, as Millward Brown looks to begin parallel chart runs and analysis over the next few weeks.

Millward Brown and the Official Charts Company is now appealing to any record companies which are not being represented by any of the companies to make contact with Millward Brown, and thus ensure their companies’ release information is included within DAD.

Millward Brown product research manager Mark Moist says, “We are fully on schedule for the introduction of DAD in January, thanks to the support and co-operation of the UK’s leading digital aggregators and distributors. But to make the chart process as streamlined as possible, we are keen to speak to any labels which do not believe they will be covered by the feeds we are setting up.”

Anyone wishing to contact Millward Brown should do so to - Mark Moist on 01926 826258 or via mark.moist@millwardbrown.com.

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot says, “Millward Brown have a range of processes in place to ensure that the Official Charts will remain as accurate and robust as ever, as we introduce DAD. But, being ahead of schedule gives us time to ensure that the collection of digital product data is as streamlined as it could possibly be – and we are keen to work with independent labels to achieve this.”

Historically, Millward Brown has worked closely in partnership with PPL, by taking a feed from PPL's Repertoire Database of data relating to digital recordings to supplement Millward Brown’s own compiled physical product database. But, as part of a new Official Charts contract, feeds of data will no longer be taken from the PPL Repertoire Database and Millward Brown will now expand its own to create an audio database containing details of all physical and digital releases sufficient for chart purposes.

Talbot adds, “Our decision to build DAD with Millward Brown is no reflection on PPL’s Repertoire Database or its team, who have done a fantastic job for the Official Charts over the past six years. But we felt that, for our chart purposes, the time was right to bring the digital and physical product databases together in one place.”

PPL will continue to manage the PPL Repertoire Database in order to allow the company to conduct its critical licensing role on behalf of its entire membership. It is therefore essential that record companies and rightsholders continue to provide repertoire, performer and product data to PPL. In addition this allows PPL to act not just as agent for the purposes of mechanical licensing but also for feeds to the BPI and IFPI for their vital anti-piracy work.

For more information contact:

Mark Moist at Millward Brown on 01926 826258 or via mark.moist@millwardbrown.com.

Martin Talbot at Official Charts Company on 020 7620 7460, 07802 277528 or via Martin@theofficialcharts.com.

 

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