 LONDON, UK (KPMG/ www.m-e-f.org) - Robbie Williams is the first artist to go straight in at number one in the MEF Official UK Ringtone Chart (compiled by KPMG in association with OCC) with the ringtone taken from his current hit single 'Radio.' Robbie achieves another landmark as he becomes the first artist to debut at number one since the launch of the MEF Official UK Ringtone Chart in June this year. So far there have been eight number ones in the ringtone chart (see all number ones listed below). However, since Eamon topped the first ever ringtone chart with 'I Don't Want You Back', every other act has climbed to pole position rather than entering straight at the top of the chart. Robbie's ringtone sales of 'Radio' accounted for an impressive 17% of the top twenty for the period (full chart listing below). The ringtone has received extensive promotion via its inclusion on inserts in both the CD single and Robbie's new Greatest Hits album (release date October 18). Overall the ringtone business is proving to be a highly successful sector of the UK music market with sales valued at �90 million last year and estimated to reach �120 million by the end of 2004.* The MEF Official Ringtone Chart, which is compiled by KPMG, has recently switched to weekly reporting and now features in the network ITV series Orange Playlist. Elsewhere it is published by Music Week, the UK's music trade magazine, and Mobile Media, as well as appearing on Galaxy radio chart rundowns and Teletext.
David Simmons, Head of the MEF Ringtone Chart Initiative and CEO of Songseekers, the prominent music rights and publishing company said: "It's great that Robbie is the first artist to debut at number one on the chart and it shows how ringtones have now become an established part of pop culture."
Calum Chace, media specialist at KPMG who compiles the Ringtone Chart, adds, "It seems very appropriate that Robbie, a great all-round entertainer, is now head of both the key charts for pop music, the singles and the ringtones charts."
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