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HITS Daily Double
"Glee is a smart and challenging yet totally mainstream platform for the most innovative use of classic and contemporary pop seen on television."
——Rob Stringer, Columbia/Epic Label Group Chairman

COLUMBIA, FOX FEEL THE GLEE

Label/TV Coalition Helps Spur iTunes Sales
Columbia Records and Twentieth Century Fox are ready for their close-up as Glee The Music: Vol 1, the official soundtrack to creator Ryan Murphy’s hit series, gets ready to street on Nov. 3.

The project was brought to the label by soundtrack consultant Glen Brunman, signed by Columbia/Epic Label Group chief Rob Stringer and now being promoted and marketed by Steve Barnett’s team at Columbia Records.

Every Tuesday, the videos of the songs that will be featured on the following night’s episode are made available exclusively through iTunes for one week, then made available at all digital retailers after that.

As of yesterday, all 14 songs from the series are represented on the Apple online store’s chart, including ”Somebody to Love” (#3), “Alone” (#8), “Maybe This Time” (#16), “Don’t Stop Believin’” (#22), “Taking Chances” (#28), “Last Name” (#29), “Take a Bow” (#50), “Bust Your Windows” (#70), “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (#97), “Mercy” (#100), “On My Own” (#109), “Gold Digger” (#110), “Rehab” (#145) and “Push It” (#189). Total digital sales to date number more than 900k.

Several of the show’s principals, including co-stars Lea Michele and Cory Monteith, are signed to 360 deals with the label.

Upon the series premiere last May, following the American Idol finale, two of the songs immediately shot to the top of the iTunes charts, including the version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which went to #1.

The weekly tracks have been receiving airplay at radio, which is sent all the tracks on Tuesday that will appear on the next day’s episode. So far, there has been “great pickup” from morning shows, with a discussion of the music and episodes the day after they air.

Said Stringer: Glee is a smart and challenging yet totally mainstream platform for the most innovative use of classic and contemporary pop seen on television. We are thrilled we have the opportunity to be partners on this show’s musical journey!”

Added Barnett: “Glee will be a key focus for our A&R, marketing and sales teams. We have a unique opportunity to build a great musical franchise.”