Tings can only get better as Columbia act lands iPod ad in the US.

The Ting Tings' first album will not reach UK stores for another two weeks, but they are already winning coast-to-coast exposure in the US after landing the latest iPod ad there.

The Manchester-based act's track Shut Up And Let Me Go debuted last Monday as the soundbed to Apple's new TV commercial in the States, instantly giving the band a national platform ahead of a planned return to the US next month. Following the ad's debut, the track leapt to two on iTunes US's alternative chart.

The Columbia act, whose debut album We Started Nothing will be released in the UK on May 19, first reached the ears of Apple after their manager Steve Taverner sent some music to LA station Indie 103 presenter Alex Luke, who also happens to be director of programming and label relations for iTunes. They have since been subject to pitches by both their record company and their publishing company Sony/ATV to Apple and its ad agency Media Arts Lab.

"Apple employs people, both internally as well as their ad agency, who are extremely passionate about music and have a commitment to breaking new artists," says Sony/ATV's New York-based advertising, film and TV senior director John Campanelli.

"This isn't one of those instances where a song is haphazardly slapped on a visual. They take serious care in these decisions. They heard the music and took the trouble to go out and see the band live. In our continuing effort to increase the exposure and profile of the bands on our roster, we were very excited to work with Apple and their creative team on introducing the world to The Ting Tings."

As part of Apple reaching its decision, executives from the company checked out the band when they undertook a series of performances at this year's South By South West, which Columbia UK managing director Mike Smith suggests made them the band of the festival.

As part of that trip to the US in March, they also played dates in Boston, Chicago and New York.