Company Town : STACKING UP SALES

Total album and single sales of CDs and cassettes for the week ended June 19, compared to week-ago and year-ago levels, in millions of units:

Latest week:

Albums: 10.9

Singles: 1.9

*

Week-ago:

Albums: 10.6

Singles: 1.9

*

Year-ago:

Albums: 9.9

Singles: 2.1

Hits Magazine Tip of the Week

Music industry insiders have already moved on from their gleeful reaction to Sony’s victory in the landmark George Michael lawsuit that sought to release the singer from his recording contract in Britain. The latest chatter centers around whether Michael, who has publicly stated he will never record for Sony again, will negotiate and come to terms with the company before he files a legal appeal on the decision. With Michael’s inner circle unable to mediate, speculation centers around the recruitment of an industry heavyweight. Among the names circulating are CAA’s Michael Ovitz and attorneys John Branca and Allen Grubman.

Note: Hits magazine is a weekly music industry trade publication.

Source: Soundscan Inc.