When the show hits the road, the International music industry turns to the premier Spanish Music Co. Set For launch reference guide...The International BY HOWELL LLEWELLYN managing director Jaime de Polan- strategic marketing. That depart- MADRID -The imminent launch co, whose uncle Jesús is the presi- ment, newly renamed UM3 Spain of a major Spanish music company dent of Grupo Prisa and Spain's (see story, page 8), is now headed laient & Touring Directory.. that hopes to put "the boom in most prominent media mogul. by José Luis García Ramos, who Latino music in Latino hands" has Heading Polaris Music is direc- had been marketing manager at sparked a series of record -label tor general Angel Pecci, formerly the old MCA and Universal Music tue management changes here. Hispania labels. All changes took Gran Via Musical (GVM) is to be effect July 1. Billbearel 1999 International launched in October by Spain's `The moment has Polaris Music will encompass biggest audiovisual holding com- four specialist labels: Nuevo Palo, TALENT + TOURING pany, Grupo Prisa, which, among arrived for the boom for flamenco and related southern DIRECTORY A^T,__ its many interests, owns the coun- Spanish styles; pop; Latino; and a try's largest commercial radio in Latino music to be label dealing in movie soundtracks group, Cadena SER; top -selling and classical music. The names of - RECORDING ARTISTS newspaper El País; and pay -per- in Latino hands' the latter three are in the process - MANAGERS AGENTS view TV station Canal Plus. - JAIME DE POLANCO - of getting worldwide registration. An unidentified Spanish indie label - PROMOTERS BLURS Madrid -based GVM will have three main business arms: record specializing in Cuban and Colom- - VENUES HOTELS label Polaris Music, which in turn director of EMI Spain's Hispavox bian music is among those negoti- EQUIPMENT e SERVICES will incorporate four specialist division. He has been replaced at ating to form the hub of the Latino Luis Rodríguez, label. FOR TOURING AGENT imprints; music publisher Nova Hispavox by José Ediciones Musicales; and mer- who has left as director of the Uni- The director of Nova Ediciones chandising, management, and tour versal Records Spain label within Musicales is Bruno Múñoz, former promotion company Planet Events. Universal Music Spain (Billboard, deputy director at Sony Music "The main thrust of the opera- July 10). Publishing in Spain. Nova is in fact tion will be the promotion of Lati- The new Universal Records an expansion of an established no music by an established, large Spain director is Manuel Peña, who Grupo Prisa publishing company audiovisual player," says GVM moves from his post as director of (Continued on page 98)

Sam Goody Operation In U.N. Gloses Down BY TOM FERGUSON music outlet, according to Onstad. ster and based in Minneapolis. The LONDON -The final stage in the "With one property we're still new position will involve "provid- closure of the Musicland Group's dealing with another music retail- ing guidance to our customer - (TMG) Sam Goody operation in the er, and I can't disclose who that is." research efforts and evaluating U.K. (Billboard, Feb. 13) will be He continues, "It wasn't for lack strategic options for growth," New 1999 Edition reached Friday (16), when manag- of trying that we didn't end up Onstad explains. "Most of that has Now Available' ing director Ken Onstad returns to with more stores going to music been outsourced over the past few the U.S., having disposed of all but retailers. It proved a lot more dif- years. The company decided to one of TMG's 14 British stores. ficult than I ever imagined to coor- bring the department in-house and Most of the stores, says Onstad, dinate the return of property and asked me to come back and do that Over 17,0001listings in the U.S. an "went back to the landlords or the sale of property. It was a hard, for them." complete with kev other retailers." Two of the Sam hard job for everybody." Sam Goody launched in 1990 in countries worldwide Goody sites have gone to other spe- The Sam Goody stock was the U.K. and at its peak operated names, addresses, phone numbers, cialist music merchants: Tower returned to suppliers where possi- 22 stores here, but it subsequent- Records acquired the chain's West- ble. Otherwise, says Onstad, "we ly was unable to make significant e -mail addresses, and web sites! on- super -Mare, Somerset, store, did clearance sales in all the stores inroads. Onstad has headed the while its outlet in Haverfordwest, as we stepped the closings down." U.K. operation for the past seven Agents & Managers Sound & Lighting Services South Wales, was picked up by the Onstad is taking up a new posi- years. In that time he has been a independent Now chain. tion as VP of strategic planning, prominent member of the British Venues Clubs Hotels Instrument Rentals One other looks set to remain a reporting to TMG CEO Jack Eug- (Continued on page 98) Book & Agents Staging & Special Effects Security Services Charter Transportation Merchandisers BARTLETT KICK -STARTS ZOMBA CANADA (Continued from page 63) we're going to try to break some of a licensing basis for 17 years, first through were quicker out of Toronto YES! Please send me Billboard's 1999 International Talent & Touring our developing acts." with the now -defunct Quality Re- than anywhere else in North Ameri-

Directory. I am enclosing $109 per copy plus S6 shipping and handling In coming months, that team will cords, then BMG Music Canada, ca," says Weiss. ($14 for international orders) NY, NJ, CA, TN, MA, IL. PA. OH. VA & DC handle album releases by several which now distributes Zomba. The Backstreet Boys' self -titled please add applicable sales tax. developing acts, including hip -hop "The inclination to open in Canada 1996 debut album, which was not # of copies . Check enclosed for $ artist Too $hort, R &B crooner Marc has been there for three years, and released in the U.S., has reached dia- Charge $ to my: American Express MasterCard Visa Dorsey, and alternative rocker Mat- economically, with the explosion of mond status in Canada (1 million units Card # Exp. Date thew Sweet. There is also the sound- Backstreet Boys, the billing has been sold). While the group's 1995 debut Signature (required) track to "The Wood," featuring tracks there as well," Weiss says. "It was a single, "We've Got It Goin' On," Cardholder (please print) by BLACKstreet, Mystikal, Too matter of us developing our U.S. exec- stalled at No. 69 on The Billboard Hot [where] 100, "it broke in Europe and in Mon- Name $hort, and Dorsey, which is due in utive infrastructure to a point August. we could oversee a Canadian opera- treal," says Weiss. Company "We've got a lot of developing urban tion." He adds, "[Montreal radio stations] Address music projects which I'm excited Canada has been a breakout mar- CKOI and CKMF went crazy on that City, State, Zip about because that's my personal bent ket for Zomba acts since the '80s. `A record, and its video exploded at [TV Please note: Orders are payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank only. All sales final. in music," says Bartlett. Flock Of Seagulls broke in Canada channel] MusiquePlus." Mail coupon to: Billboard Directories, P.O. Box 2016, Lakewood. NJ 08701. Regarding the Matthew Sweet al- before they broke in America," Weiss "Jive artists have always paid atten- For fastest service call 1-800-344-7119. Outside the U.S. bum, which is due in the fall, she says, notes. "Samantha Fox was far bigger tion to Canada," notes Lisa Zbitnew, call 732- 363 -4156. Or fax your order to 732 -363 -0338. "There's always been a great street in Canada than in America. Billy president of BMG Music Canada. "We Now available on diskette and mailing labels for rates call buzz about him in Canada." Ocean and D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh don't see enough of that commitment Mike Fouratt at (212) 536 -5017 Barry Weiss, president of Zomba Prince did really well for us there." from [international] acts. Britney was Advertise in the Directory - call Jeff Serrette at (212) 536 -5174. Records Group U.S., says the opening Backstreet Boys broke bigger and here very early on, and by their sec- www.billboard.com of a Canadian company was overdue. earlier in Canada than in the U.S., as ond album, Backstreet Boys had been BDTT31699 Zomba has been active in Canada on did Spears. "The signs of her break- in this market four times."

68 BILLBOARD JULY 17. 1999 www.americanradiohistory.com