 German superstar Herbert Groenemeyer and Kobalt Music Group have struck an exclusive deal which will enable the independent music publisher to administer his entire catalog.Through the agreement, Kobalt will administer all of his Groenland Musikverlag works for the world, excluding Switzerland, Austria and Benelux.Groenemeyer's catalog features such songs as "Bochum," "Maenner," "Mensch, "Was Soll Das," "Halt Mich," "Alkohol," "Flugzeuge Im Bauch," "Land Unter" and "Der Weg." In addition, Edition Polarbear, the publishing arm of Groenemeyer's London-based record label Groenland, is also being administered by Kobalt.Edition Polarbear's catalog includes German chart-topper "Zeit Das Sich Was Dreht (Celebrate The Day)," the official song of the FIFA 2006 World Cup.The deal, unveiled Thursday, represents a "major achievement," admits Kobalt founder and CEO Willard Ahdritz.Groenemeyer, whose career spans 25 years, is regarded as one of Germany's premier pop stars.A six-time Echo Award winner, Groenemeyer saw his September 2002 album release "Mensch" (Capitol) break a string of records en route to more than three million sales. "Mensch" is recognized as the best-selling German-language album ever recorded, according to the IFPI. It is also the best-selling record in the history of Germany's record industry.News of the Groenemeyer deal coincides with an expansion of Kobalt's German business.With effect from May 1, Matthias Kind will take up the role as GM of the new Berlin operation. Until recently he was the company's vice president for the German market. He will report to Ahdritz. According to a spokesperson, the Berlin company will be hiring more staff over the course of the next six months.Based in London, Kobalt has already has affiliates in Stockholm, New York, Nashville and Los Angeles.
|