Keogh Confirms Exit As PolyGram Ireland Chief

Paul Keogh, managing director of PolyGram Ireland, confirms to Bulletin that he expects to leave the company the week of Nov. 9. Keogh, who has run the subsidiary since 1988, plans to take some time off before deciding his next move. "If the phone doesn't ring, then I'll know that I wasted the last 10 years," he says. The executive says that he was given notice by PolyGram U.K. chairman John Kennedy six months ago--before Universal Music parent Seagram announced its bid for PolyGram. "The relationship with Kennedy was never too healthy from day one," says Keogh. "The Universal deal has brought my situation to the fore again, with a few people now jostling for my job."

Sources say that PolyGram Ireland finance director/GM Jim O'Neill is likely to be appointed interim managing director; they discount reported speculation that Universal Ireland managing director David Pennefather is in line for the permanent post. Universal did not comment.

Keogh is chairman of IFPI Ireland, a post he has held for six out of the last 10 years. He says that he plans to chair its next meeting, on Nov. 11. "I'm an awkward person and if I'm not asked to leave something, then I tend to stay doing it," he says.

Market leader PolyGram employs 22 staffers in Ireland; Universal has a staff of two. Polydor in London has handled A&R duties for top-selling band--and Keogh signing--Boyzone for the last two years; the band remains contractually tied to PolyGram Ireland.

--Mark Solomons, London


Sony Dominates European Charts In Third Quarter

Sony Music dominated Music & Media's European charts in the third quarter of this year, consolidating its position as the album chart leader with a 21.6% market share and taking the top share of the singles charts for the same period with 28.7%. Warner Music saw a resurgence to 19.7% of the album charts, overtaking EMI (17.5%) for second place.

Sony also dominates the charts for the year to date, with 22.2% of albums and 23.2% of singles. Significant performers for the company on the album charts were Celine Dion's "Let's Talk About Love" (Epic/Columbia), Ricky Martin's "Vuelve" (Tristar/Columbia), and Savage Garden's eponymous album (Columbia). Big pan-European chart singles included Des'ree's "Life" (Sony S2) and "La Copa Da Vida" by Ricky Martin (Tristar/Columbia).

--Terry Heath, Music & Media


Richie, Morey Ink Management Pact

Lionel Richie has signed an exclusive management pact with Jim Morey. Richie, who has been managed by Sir John Reid for the past year and was previously handled by Freddy DeMann, will be co-managed by Morey and Sal Bonafede of the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Gallin Morey Associates.

Morey's list of management clients includes Mariah Carey, Neil Diamond, and Dolly Parton.

--Michael Amicone, L.A.


Tony Bennett To Tape 'Storytellers'

Tony Bennett will tape a special episode of VH1's "Storytellers" Sunday in New York. The show, which will help create awareness for the music education charity VH1 Save the Music, will premiere Nov. 29 on VH1 and Nickelodeon, marking the first simulcast between the two networks.

Bennett is expected to perform songs from his children's album, "The Playground" (RPM/Columbia); he will be joined on the show by Backstreet Boys.

--Carla Hay, N.Y.


Ex-Spice Girl Halliwell Has Taste For EMI

EMI Records would not comment yesterday on a statement issued by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell that she "is signing a long-term recording deal" with the company. Halliwell's PR firm, Freud Communications, says she is currently in the studio recording but could not say who was paying for the sessions.

Meanwhile, Halliwell is due to attend a press conference at the United Nations in New York this morning, where the organization is expected to announce that she is to be appointed a "goodwill ambassador" to the UN's Population Fund. Published reports said her role would be traveling to promote the use of contraception.

Halliwell and manager Lisa Anderson were not available for comment.

--Mark Solomons and Paul Sexton, London


Artist Developments

Buffalo Tom plays U.S. solo dates beginning Nov. 6 in Philadelphia before joining the Goo Goo Dolls for a tour Nov. 13-Dec. 5.


BMG Classics, Distribution Name Sales, Marketing VPs

Carolyn Wright has been named VP of sales at BMG Classics. She was regional sales and marketing director, Northeast, at Arista. Based in New York, Wright reports to Deborah Morgan, recently appointed senior VP/GM of BMG Classics U.S. (Bulletin, Sept. 2). Wright replaces Los Angeles-based Rick Rieger, who is exiting.

Meanwhile, Michael Terry has been named to the new position of VP of marketing at BMG Distribution. He was national director of sales at BMG-distributed Gee Street Records and also worked with V2. Terry reports to senior VP of marketing Rick Bleiweiss in New York.


Pacific Confab Draws 3,000

More than 3,000 delegates attended the second annual Pacific Circle Music Convention (PCMC) in Sydney, which wrapped Sunday. The four-day confab at the Old Sydney Harbour Casino attracted 300-plus international attendees, including A&R executives, promoters, managers, and producers. It was organized by Michael Chugg, GM of Frontier Touring. The program included more than 30 seminars, with topics such as technology, the Asian music business, and the impact of the 2000 Olympics on the Australian entertainment industry. Also, more than 200 showcases featured Australian and international acts. An expo, open to the public on Saturday, drew 10,000, while a free concert Sunday featuring six acts (including headliner Natalie Imbruglia) pulled in 3,000.

--Christie Eliezer, Sydney


Movie Music On 'Mob Hits'

Tracks by legendary crooners are collected on the two-CD set "Mob Hits: Music From And A Tribute To The Great Mob Movies," from compilation company Triage Entertainment. Included are 22 tracks associated with such films as "The Godfather," "GoodFellas," "Donnie Brasco," "Casino," and "Married To The Mob," such as Dean Martin's "Volare (Nel Blu Di Pinto Di Blu)" and "That's Amore," Jerry Vale's "Non Domenticar," Rosemary Clooney's "Mambo Italiano," and the haunting "Godfather Waltz." The collection, priced at $22.95, is being sold through a direct-response campaign; TV commercials begin airing this week.


Hughes, Strain Land New IFPI Posts

IFPI in London has appointed Catrin Hughes to the new post of director of market research. Formerly the organization's communications director, Hughes will oversee all IFPI information services. Adrian Strain, former director of media affairs at IFPI's Brussels offices, has been appointed director of communications; no word on his replacement.


Hicks Hits The Flicks

Island Records U.K. R&B singer Hinda Hicks will perform three songs tonight before her London gig at the Astoria for inclusion in the movie "Greenwich Mean Time," due for release in late 1999 and produced by Taylor Hackford ("La Bamba," "An Officer And A Gentleman"). Hicks is this week celebrating her fourth U.K. top 40 single with "Truly." A U.S. release of her "Hinda" album, issued in the U.K. in August, is projected for the new year on an unspecified PolyGram label.

--Paul Sexton, London


RealNetworks In Pact With Netscape

RealNetworks' RealPlayer 5.0 audio and video streaming tool will be bundled with the Netscape Communicator 4.5 Internet browser and will be available for download at the Netscape Netcenter portal site, both companies announced yesterday. The deal comes three weeks after RealNetworks announced that its software would be included on CD-ROMs containing AOL 4.0.

--Doug Reece, L.A.


TVT To Issue XTC Box In November

A four-CD boxed set from XTC, "Transistor Blast," is due Nov. 3 from TVT Records. The 52-track collection--the group's first release since 1992's "Nonesuch"--spans 1977-1989, with two discs of BBC radio sessions, one of live 1980 performances at the Hammersmith Palais, and one of BBC "In Concert" sessions recorded at London's Paris Theater.


Estefan Nabs Role

Gloria Estefan will act with Meryl Streep in Wes Craven's "50 Violins," which begins filming next week. It's Estefan's first feature film role.