Nashville-based Word Entertainment-comprised of Word Label Group, Word Distribution, Word Music Publishing and Word Music-is ending a banner year with its Word-Curb label imprint named “Top Christian Imprint” in Billboard magazine's year-end charts (Dec. 23 issue).

The imprint category on the Billboard list reflected accumulated SoundScan chart performance for all Word Records' products on the 2006 Top Christian Albums chart.

“Word Entertainment just finished its third-most-profitable year in the company's 55-year history,” said CEO Jim Van Hook. “In fact, we achieved our original budget for the first time since 1998, outperforming the revenue target by a significant amount. In a time when most music companies are seeing decline, Word has experienced one of its best years ever.”

Word Distribution and Word Label Group saw expansion and growth in 2006. Word Distribution signed exclusive agreements as distributor for Big Idea, Fox Faith and Warner Home Video to the Christian market.

Word Label Group-encompassing Word Records, Fervent Records, Myrrh Records and Word Music Publishing-saw the “most significant increase and advancement” this year after being completely revamped in January 2005, a Word statement said. The company attributed its success to a commitment to interactive marketing.