Here's a follow-up to my post earlier this week that found its way into the online media...people are obviously interested in EMI's digital sales since its digital downloads become available without DRM.

Digital sales Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon dropped 33% last week (CD sales rose 26%) and are 61% below the high mark from the week iTunes Plus was launched. Digital sales of Norah Jones' Come Away With Me, which jumped 62% the week iTunes Plus launched, has been all over the place, dropping 23% and then rising 51% last week (CD sales kept pace with a 54% increase).

Coldplay's A Rush Of Blood To The Head saw its digital sales jump 170% when iTunes Plus launched. Two weeks ago it rose 1% (CD dropped 5%) and last week sales fell 21% (CD rose 11%). OK Go's Oh No, up 173% three weeks ago, rose 3% two weeks ago (CD rose 4%) and dropped 7% last week (CD rose 33%) -- pretty much steady since iTunes Plus launched.

What to think of these numbers? It's very difficult to draw a conclusion given the short term and the natural volatility of some titles. It's clear that digital sales for some titles peaked in the week of the iTunes Plus launch. The coming weeks will offer a clearer picture of any real impact on digital sales. Hopefully the data will indicate whether or not EMI's DRM policy is the cause behind the fluctuations. I predict that no material, across-the-board change in sales will be seen until Amazon.com's digital download store launches. That will definitely move the neede.

[music jobs] Brand and Online Marketing Manager at The Ascot Club/Am Only; Brooklyn, NY.