19 Entertainment Founder and Artist Manager Simon Fuller Hits Digital Music Milestone Star-Studded Artist Roster Sells 160 Million Songs on iTunes(R)

LONDON and LOS ANGELES, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- 19 Entertainment founder, "American Idol" creator and acclaimed artist manager Simon Fuller has achieved a digital music milestone as his star-studded artist roster sold 160 million songs on iTunes, the world's most popular online music store, it was announced today by 19 Recordings. iTunes offers songs from Fuller's roster of artists including chart-toppers Annie Lennox, Spice Girls, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Jordin Sparks, David Cook and Adam Lambert, among many others. Fuller was instrumental in the partnership Idol formed with iTunes in 2002. His impact on the music business and influence on record sales – 19 Recordings has sold over 100 million CDs in North America over the last ten years – and the charts is unparalleled in the industry, and his success in the digital world is another significant achievement in an illustrious career.

"With 'American Idol,' Simon has created a unique way for fans to discover and connect with emerging artists," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of Internet Services. "The music artists he represents have already sold over an impressive 160 million songs on iTunes."

About Fuller's latest achievement in digital music sales, Billboard book's Fred Bronson added: "What Simon Fuller has achieved with iTunes is nothing short of historic. His artists have sold an enormous volume of music at a time when the music industry has been going through turmoil. He is without question the biggest manager of the digital age, and his influence far exceeds that of any other individual operating in the music industry anywhere in the world."

Fuller launched 19 Entertainment in 1985 as a music management company. His first single '19' by Paul Hardcastle has sold over 9 million copies around the world. Since then, Fuller's ideas have frequently been credited with driving change in popular culture. Whether teaching America to text ("American Idol") or by creating 'girl power' (Spice Girls) in the 1990s, his creativity has left an indelible mark and he has repeatedly raised the bar of success. In the world of music, he has consistently set chart and sales records, including selling over 80 million CDs of American Idol music since the show was first broadcast (2002) and managing the Spice Girls phenomenon (56 million albums sold, a $100 million tour, and a movie grossing over $110 million around the world).

In 2008 Billboard magazine announced that Simon Fuller is the most successful British music manager of all time with total single and album sales of his artists exceeding 200 million units around the world, an achievement that ranks him above Beatles manager Brian Epstein, Abba manager Stig Anderson and Elvis Presley manager Col Tom Parker.

The Producers Guild of America awarded Fuller its Visionary Award in 2008. TIME Magazine named Simon Fuller as one of the 100 Most Influential People In The World. He spearheaded 'Idol Gives Back,' the EMMY® award-winning television event that has raised over $180 million for charities. World leaders including the President of the United States and the British Prime Minister, as well as HRH Prince of Wales have recognized Fuller for his charitable work.

SOURCE 19 Entertainment