British Artists Account For 12% Of Global Music Sales
British artists accounted for almost 12% of global sales of recorded music during 2010, new BPI figures today revealed, as a new Ipsos MORI poll found that the vast majority (83%) of the public believe that British music’s achievements are something to be proud of.
Commenting on the findings at the BPI’s 2011 AGM, held today, Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said, “Britons are rightly proud of the fact that we are global leaders in music – one in five of the Top 50 selling records released around the world last year featured British artists. As more people consume music online, we have the opportunity to get even stronger – in March this year, UK performers held the top 3 positions in teh US Billboard Chart, for the first time in 25 years.
“From The Beatles to Adele, the UK generates extraordinary talent that is backed by labels with digital knowhow and global ambition. Overseas success not only generates jobs and export income, it fosters a positive reputation for Britain around the world. It’s time for Government to match words with action and get behind creative industries like music that can power growth of the UK economy in the 21st century.”
BPI Chairman, Tony Wadsworth CBE, added, “The defining characteristic of the UK’s recorded music market is its overwhelming potential for overseas success. It is our extraordinary ability to convert domestic success into international acclaim that really sets our music economy apart and gives us a unique position in the global music market. The UK enjoys only a 3% share of world trade in goods, and 7% trade in services – but UK musical acts account for an impressive 12% of global trade in recorded music. Put simply, British music is everywhere.”
Creative Industries Minister Ed Vaizey said: “These figures show what a great year it has been for the UK music industry. We have a proud history of producing music the world wants to listen to and I am delighted to see that continuing.
“This is not just about great artists but also highly talented people working behind the scenes. The UK music industry is an important part of our economy and I look forward to its continuing success in exporting British culture around the world.”
In the biggest music market of all – America – UK acts accounted for one in 10 (9.8%) of every artist album sold in 2010, rising to one in seven (13.4%) in Canada.
In Europe, the picture remained healthy with British acts bagging around half (48.9%) of artist album sales in the UK. A sizeable impact on share was also made in the German (17.9%) and French (14.5%) markets.
Britain’s share of sales held steady in Australia, the worlds 7th biggest market, taking one in five (20.2%) artist albums. UK artists also accounted for a 3.8% share of total Japanese artist album sales – more than a fifth (21.8%) of international sales overall in a market dominated by local ‘J-Pop’ repertoire.
The Ipsos MORI poll of 1,009 respondents aged 16-64 in Great Britain carried out online in March 2011 found that 83% agreed that ‘British music’s achievements are something to be proud of’, with just under half (47%) agreeing ‘strongly’ with the statement. Three-quarters (75%) of those asked agreed that ‘the success of British music around the world helps the reputation of Britain overseas’.
The British public’s overwhelming pride in our musical achievements on the world stage was also revealed by the Ipsos MORI survey. When asked ‘how important do you think Britain’s contribution has been to the world’s music over the past 50 years (since the 1960’s)?’, 88% said the UK’s contribution had been ‘very important’ or fairly important.
Source: BPI
