AMY WINEHOUSE - LABEL CREDITS MEDIA INTEREST FOR WINEHOUSE'S HIGH SALES

AMY WINEHOUSE's record label has put the success of her hit album BACK TO BLACK down to the increased media frenzy surrounding the singer's turbulent personal life. The Rehab star's sophomore album was named the world's biggest-selling record from a British artist in 2007, shifting more than 3.4 million albums across the globe for Winehouse's record label Universal Music International. The 24-year-old has also enjoyed huge success in the notoriously difficult American market, scooping nominations in six categories at the 50th annual Grammy Awards next month (Feb08). But label bosses have taken a swipe at the troubled singer's success, claiming cleverly-executed marketing tactics are the real reason for the high sales. Hassan Choudhury, vice president of Universal Music International, says, "There's no getting away from the fact all the coverage has kept Amy Winehouse's profile at the highest level. "Everyone (at Universal) is extremely happy with the amount of records we've sold and a lot of it has been down to some amazing marketing opportunities in the market when the artist wasn't available." Winehouse checked into a London rehabilitation facility last week (25Jan08) in a bid to conquer her drug demons.