Generic Research - The Mercury Prize (Music Awards)

The Mercury Prize (Music Awards);

Winners = are well known to experience a mass increase in record and singles sales, as a result of the awards
              - particularly good for new or lesser known artists; they receive an award trophy + prize money (which, in 2014 = £20'000).
- the considerable effect on sales for artists who win (and even those simply shortlisted) is remarkable. 
           - "Elbow" = 700% increase in sales of album 'The Seldom Seen Kid' (2008 - winner).
           - "The XX" = 450% increase in sales of album 'The xx' (2010 - winner).

• The Mercury Prize = Formerly called 'The Mercury Music Prize' - an annual music prize awarded for the "Best Album" from the UK and Ireland.
  
• Established by? = The Mercury Prize was established by the 'British Phonographic Industry' and the 'British Association of Record Dealers' in 1992: the awards came as an alternative to the Brit Awards.
  
• Sponsors = 1) Mercury Communications (owned by 'Cable and Wireless) - where the prize got its title, 2) Technics (1998-2001), 3) Panasonic (2002+2003), 4) Nationwide Building Society (2004-2008) + Barclaycard (since 2009).
  
• Process = any album released by a British or Irish artists (or a band where 50% or more of its members are British/Irish) can be submitted for consideration by its label
                              - shortlist is chosen by an independent panel of musicians, music presenters/producers/journalists, festival organisers + other figures.
  
• What genres can be involved? = the prize is open to many genres, including; pop, rock, folk, jazz. dance, urban, electronica, blues + classical.
  - awards are usually presented at an Award show in October of that year.
  

• Nominees + Winners across the years;
             - 1992 = "Simply Red" - 'Stars' (shortlisted).
                        = "U2" - 'Achtung Baby' (shortlisted).
                        = "Primal Scream - 'Screamadelica' (WINNER).
  
             - 1996 = "Oasis" - '(What's the Story) Morning Glory?' (shortlisted).
                        = "Mark Morrison" - 'Return of the Mack' (shortlisted).
                        = "Pulp" - 'Different Class' (WINNER).
  
             - 2003 = "Coldplay" - 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' (shortlisted).
                        = "Radiohead" - 'Hail to the Theif' (shortlisted).
                        = "Dizzee Rascal" - 'Boy in da Corner' (WINNER).
  
             - 2013 = "Artic Monkeys" - 'AM' (shortlisted).
                        = "David Bowie" - 'The Next Day' (shortlisted).
                        = "Rudimental" - 'Home' (shortlisted).
                        = "James Blake" - 'Overgrown' (WINNER).