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HEINZ CANIBOL, Managing Director/Vice President GSA UNIVERSAL
* Having established its own sales force, recent events suggest that 1998 will prove to be yet another year of considerable change - not to say upheaval - for the German Universal company. Canibol has been busy on his own acquisition trail meanwhile, tying up a label deal with Bulent Aris and Toni Cottura of top local r&b production team Booya. The company's star rapper Pappa Bear has had global success, while r&b singer Nana is due to move to Universal from PolyGram when his contract expires later this year. Ocean of Light, a pop/dance track by In-Mood featuring Juliette and based around Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite has already gained "positive reactions from 12 territories", says Canibol.
What is your proudest achievement during the past 12 months? "The international success of our local signing, Pappa Bear, and the recent signing of our label deal with Booya Records."
What makes you optimistic about the future of the business in Germany? "The on-going positive development of local product in our market."
What makes you pessimistic? "Nothing. You have to master change constantly."
What effect do you think the internet will have on your business in the next 12 months? "An increasing one on the promotional side, but not yet a drastic one on the sales side."
Which are your key acts this year? "Pappa Bear, Aqua, K-Ci & Jo Jo and Keilerkopf."
BERND DOPP, Managing Director WEA
* WEA's managing director admits his company had "a difficult year" in 1997, as planned major releases slipped behind schedule. But a high hit-to-release rate and good sellers from Italian singer Nek, Eric Clapton and Madonna are helping to brighten up the company. Expected releases from REM, Alanis Morissette and Cher, together with releases from local signings including Mr President, r&b/hip-hop star Young Deenay and schlager king Dieter Thomas Kuhn, should mean Dopp gets the boost he is looking for.
What is your proudest achievement over the past 12 months? "Keeping up the positive attitude and good spirits in the company and to maintain the motivation to meet new challenges."
What makes you optimistic about the future of the business in Germany? "The remarkable wealth of new talent. Not only does Germany...