GfK Gets Controlling Share Of Chart-Track UK

Independent market research group GfK has announced it has acquired an additional 46 percent of shares in UK games industry tracker Chart-Track, giving it a controlling share of the company, which brought in some 1.8 million Euros ($2.8 million) in 2007. GfK already held nine percent of shares in the company. Chart-Track leads the local market in software and hardware sales tracking, which GfK says complements its larger European focus. GfK also notes the company's "strong relationship with the industry associations ‘Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher Association’ (ELSPA) and ‘Irish Recorded Music Association’ (IRMA)," which together own 45 percent of Chart-Track as well. Former Chart-Track managing director and now MD of newly renamed GfK Chart-Track Limited said in a statement, "We are delighted to be joining the GfK Group. We’re confident this will provide us with a solid platform for future growth and we look forward to further developing our range of services. Most importantly, the ability to plug into GfK ’s strong international network will be a terrific benefit to our clients.”