The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced the formal launch of a Master Ringtone Sales Award, updating its 47-year old Gold and Platinum program to recognize the growing popularity of enjoying music through cellular phones.

Some 128 titles are included in the inaugural group of certifications, encompassing tracks from artists on all the major record companies and representing a variety of musical genres. Specifically, the RIAA awarded 84 Gold, 40 Platinum and four Multi-Platinum Master Ringtone certifications.

Ringtones are the original recording, rather than a synthesized instrumental version, of a hit song. Following the lead of the existing program, tracks will be certified Gold (500,000 downloads), Platinum (1 million downloads) and Multi-Platinum (starting at 2 million and following in increments of 1 million thereafter).

"Our Gold and Platinum Program is designed to honor artists who have achieved the highest success," Mitch Bainwol, Chairman and CEO, RIAA. "As our industry evolves and offers fans new ways to enjoy music from today's best artists, so too should the G&P Program. The music community, along with its technology partners like the wireless communications companies, is offering fans the music they love, when then want it and how they want it."

As with the existing Gold and Platinum award program, all certifications for the Digital Sales award are audited by the firm of Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman.