Chart chaps the Official UK Charts Company, have announced that Martin Talbot, currently editor for Music Week, will be joining the company in the newly-created role of Managing Director. He will start work at the chart firm in October.
Confirming Talbot's appointment, OCC chairman David Joseph told reporters: "In running the UK's music and video charts, the Official UK Charts Company is behind the most accurate and sophisticated music and video sales reporting system in the world. The first-class retail data collection and analysis it performs is a vital service for companies operating in such a fast-paced and rapidly changing business environment. The company is looking to build on that expertise and develop new strategies to drive an ambitious programme of growth. Martin's unparalleled industry knowledge combined with the commercial experience he has gained at Music Week made him the outstanding candidate for this crucial new role".
Talbot himself added: "After five years editing Music Week, I am delighted to be given the opportunity of running a business with such a successful track record - and such potential - as the OCC. The UK continues to be one the most vibrant music markets in the world: it is the market which the world turns to when it is looking for future trends and the stars of tomorrow. The sales information published by OCC - sales charts and industry data alike - is the primary resource for mapping this market. The OCC already provides the world's most detailed and accurate music sales information through physical and myriad digital platforms, a vital industry service that has enormous potential for further development. I am looking forward immensely to working with the OCC team to help develop these services for a new era of the entertainment industry".
One of Talbot's specific roles will be to expand and develop the services OCC provide the video/DVD industry, and to that end the company has also announced the appointment of a representative of the video industry association, BVA, to its board. That representative will be Steve Gallant of ITV DVD, who joins the OCC board in a non-exec capacity.
The Official UK Charts Company is, of course, co-owned by record label trade body the BPI and the UK's Entertainment Retailers Association.