Universal Music Group (UMG) led the industry with its unprecedented market share and chart success, becoming the first music company to ever surpass 30 percent for year-to-date Total Current US Album Market Share. (presently at 31.15 percent).
UMG was also the market share leader in Total U.S. Singles (24.77 percent).
Additionally, UMG surpassed its own history-making record this year by achieving
the largest single-week market share of current albums ever,
41.82 percent, for the week ending June 30, 2002, according to
SoundScan.
Universal has had either the No. 1 or No. 2 title on the SoundScan Top 200 album
chart 72 percent of the year in 2002 (36 of the past 50 weeks). The 8
Mile Soundtrack, Ashanti, Big Tymers, Eminem, Jay-Z, Musiq,
Nelly, the O Brother, Where Art Thou? Soundtrack, NOW 9 and
Shania Twain were among the releases, which held the peak
position. Further, UMG held the No. 1 position on the Billboard
Hot 100 singles chart 75% of the year in 2002 (39 of the past
52 weeks).
Other UMG achievements include:
* UMG is No. 1 in 65 percent of all the countries in which it
operates.
* UMG is No. 1 in countries that contribute 75 percent of the world
music sales.
* Eminem is the top-selling worldwide artist in 2002 —
selling more than 20 million units.
* UMG has the year's two highest-selling albums in the U.S.
— Eminem The Eminem Show and Nelly Nellyville.
* Universal Music & Video Distribution's (UMVD) sales of
Latin music have increased by more than 65 percent in 2002, fueling their ascent
from No. 5 distributor of Latin music in the U.S. to its current No. 2
standing.
* Through Universal Classics Group and Verve Music Group, UMG
remains the market share leader in Classical and Jazz music throughout
the world.
* Universal Music Publishing Group holds publishing rights in
27 No. 1 songs in the Billboard year-end charts.
"I am extremely proud of our many achievements this year," said
Doug Morris, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Universal
Music Group. "UMG continues to maintain its dominant position
in the marketplace due to the tremendous dedication of our
employees and executive team, as well as the incredibly
outstanding talent of our diverse artist roster."
"This has been another history-making year for us and we remain
committed to our artists and our family of labels," commented
Jim Urie, President, Universal Music and Video Distribution.
Among UMG's other top-selling titles are Ashanti Ashanti
(Murder Inc./Island Def Jam); O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Soundtrack (Lost Highway); 8 Mile Soundtrack
(Shady/Interscope/UMG Soundtracks); NOW 9 (Universal Music
Enterprises); Ludacris Word of Mouf (Def Jam); Shania Twain UP!
(Mercury Nashville); Nickelback Silver Side Up
(Roadrunner/Island Def Jam); Puddle of Mudd Come Clean
(Interscope); No Doubt Rock Steady (Interscope); Sheryl Crow
C'Mon C'Mon (A&M Records); and Enrique Iglesias Escape
(Interscope).
Roc-a-fella Records Rolls Out Vodka Brand
Roc-a-fella Records 
hopes to cash in on the thirsts of its fans
with Armadale, its
newly released superpremium vodka from Scotland. The Hip-Hop
label purchased the U.S. rights to the vodka this past spring
from Scottish distiller William Grant & Sons and formed a
co-venture with the company.
The brand presently has limited distribution in New York, Los
Angles and Miami. Atlanta is its next roll-out.
"We know what kind of influence we have over our demographic,
and we like to capitalize on every opportunity," Roc-a-fella's
CEO Damon Dash said in the Wall Street Journal.
According to Dash, Roc-a-Fella artists are "encouraged" to use
Armadale in their lyrics and music videos. And to help push
sales, Roc-a-Fella Records sponsors parties with the Armadale
name on banners, postcards and matchbooks.
Jay-Z, Cam'ron, DJ Cure and Damon are among Roc-a-fella's artists.
