YOUR PARTNER IN MUSIC BUSINESS

During this time Kees supervised the organisation of the Edison Music Awards ceremonies, for Pop Classics and Jazz. i.e. the ‘Dutch Grammy

In 2011 the Dutch IFPI (NVPI) awarded him with the Zilveren Fonograaf for his outstanding contribution in the music industry. Read more

Arvato, Rought Trade & PIAS (2003-2019)

Kees started his own company, HIT4US in 2004.

In June 2004 Kees was asked to work for Arvato Entertainment Services, a Bertelsmann company. Kees organised the reorganisation of Zomba Distribution to Rough Trade Distribution (its original name) as Managing Director. Built it with distribution 320 labels including Caro Emerald, Chef’Special, Yori Swart and Eefje de Visser. He also set up a ringtones service and digital services.

In 2004 a management buy out was initiated and Kees became Managing Partner. From 2014 to 2019 there was a collaboration with PIAS distribution.

Mercury Records & Universal Music (1999-2003)

After the takeover of Polygram by Universal, Kees became managing director of Mercury Records. Five years later he was Executive Vice-President of Universal Music Nederland, mainly occupied with anything and everything to do with ‘New Media and Strategy’ as well as sponsoring. An important new development in the revolutionary digital age, with downloads and ringtones was streaming. Kees worked with artists like Marco Borsato, Beck, Sting, De Dijk, BZN, Karel Kraayenhof, Enrique Iglesias, Sugarbabes, U2 and Eminem. He also worked with ID&T and Stage Holding Musicals.

MCA & Universal Benelux (1994-1999)

Kees’ fondest memories however, are of his very succesful period with MCA Records. On January 1st 1994 he took on the challenge of turning the MCA label into an independent record company in the Benelux and opening the MCA Benelux offices in Hilversum and Brussels.

The first office opened on April 1st, and on the 5th of April Kurt Cobain shot himself in the head. A chaotic start, which eventually became a great success, with projects such as Aerosmith’s ‘15 Big Ones’, ‘Hell Freezes Over’ by The Eagles, number 1-hits such as Aqua’s ‘Barbie Girl’, Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’, No Doubt’s ‘Don’t Speak’ and of course the mega hit ‘Nirvana Unplugged’. Within three years, Kees had set up a successful company from scratch, with only a small team, and an annual turnover of 35 million guilders and a market share of 5%.

In 1997 Seagram bought MCA and the name changed to Universal Benelux.

Polygram International (1985-1988)

In the mid-eighties,Kees left for London, where he worked three years at the Polygram International headquarters as product manager, for artists including Van Morrison, INXS, but also Nana Mouskouri, Elton John and KISS. The extremely varied range of artists means that Kees feels at ease with any genre.

Phonogram International (1981-1985)

In the early eighties, Kees was asked to become head of the promotion department for Phonogram International. In those years he worked with artists such as Elton John, Dire Straits, Status Quo and INXS. He organized 3 European promo tours with KISS and other artists. Kees was involved in many sponsor deals and was part of the team that introduced the compact disc. In addition he was actively involved in the marketing and promotion of this new configuration. He was responsible for the promotional side of the “Philips presents Dire Straits”-tour which was a unique concept at the time. During that time of 7 years, Kees spent on average 2 days a week up in the air travelling and supporting artists.