2014 MARKETSHARE SCORECARD

As the biz nears the quarter pole of 2014, we hold certain truths to be self-evident—namely, that Lucian Grainge’s UMG is the 800-pound gorilla of major music groups, with an attainable goal of slicing off 40% of the overall market following the 2012 pickup of EMI’s recorded-music assets. The wisdom of that game-changing move has become dramatically evident during Q1, thanks to the steady ascent of Steve Barnett’s Capitol Music Group, which presently sits at #2 in frontline share and #3 in TEA behind smashes from superstar Katy Perry and rookie sensations Bastille. Rob Stringer’s Columbia holds sizable leads in both frontline and TEA behind a balanced attack led by Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and John Legend. And Ken Bunt’s Disney Music Group is riding a tsunami with the Frozen soundtrack, which has ruled the album chart all year, moving nearly twice as many units as any other record.