Local firm to promote winner

Local company Bridge Productions was yesterday awarded a one-year contract to promote the winner of the Malta Song for Europe at the next Eurovision Song Contest.

This is the first time that a Maltese company has been chosen to promote Malta's representative.

The company replaces the German record company Cap Sounds which has signed up Malta's entry since 1996.

The contract was signed between Maltasong chairman Charlò Bonnici and Bridge Productions partners Paul Zammit Cutajar and Howard Keith at the Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort.

"We gave this decision a lot of thought and during its first meeting the Maltasong board decided not to renew the contract with Cap Sounds in the light of recent events," Mr Bonnici said.

Earlier this year, two high-placing Eurovision entrants - Ira Losco and Chiara - had complained about the treatment they received from Cap Sounds, so the long-standing contract has now been dropped.

"We took this step because we wanted to improve the situation and we feel this is the right decision for all," Mr Bonnici said.

He said that Bridge Productions was chosen because of their professional expertise and equipment which was on a par with that abroad.

The winning song, which will be announced on February 8, will be recorded at Farmhouse Studios in Siggiewi.

Bridge Productions will also be roping in their international partners Edel Records, the fifth largest record company, and Public Propaganda, a leading marketing and distribution company in Europe.

Edel senior A&R manager Daniel Schmidt and Public Propaganda A&R manager Jörg Hiller were yesterday present for the signing of the contract.

Once the winner of the Malta Song for Europe is announced, the singer and the songwriting team will be individually analysed for their potential to succeed beyond the Eurovision.

Mr Bonnici said that through this contract Maltasong was guaranteeing the minimum and the maximum deal for the winner.

"The minimum is that the winner will have the best ever deal in terms of effective distribution, while the maximum is that those who have great potential will be offered a worldwide record deal," he said.

No matter what the potential is, Bridge Productions will work to develop the artiste's voice, image and stage presence in time for the Eurovision.

The winning song will be distributed and marketed on the European market as was the case before, but this time more effectively.

If the winner is deemed to have potential they are then offered a publishing deal with AMV, which falls under the umbrella of Public Propaganda, and ultimately any artiste's dream - a record deal.

Meanwhile, Maltasong on Monday announced the 24 songs that have made it to the semi-finals of the Song for Europe contest being held in February.

The singer, name of song, composer and author of the 24 finalists are: Roger Tirazona, Feel the Beat, Paul Abela, Roger Tirazona; The Mics, Take Me Back Again, Wayne Micallef, Alfred C. Sant; Olivia Lewis, Starting Over, Paul Abela, Georgina Abela; Mark Tonna, Welcome, Mark Spiteri Lucas, Mark Tonna; Lawrence Gray, Why Not, Ray Agius; Marisa D'Amato, Survive (To Stay Alive), Tarcisio Barbara, Joe Chircop; Karl & Adreana, Angels, Karl Spiteri; Shirley Galea, Call My Name, Renato Briffa, Ray Mahoney; Eleonor Cassar, Someday You Will See, Mark Debono, Doris Chetcuti; Gunther Chetcuti, Light My Life, Paul Abela/Roger Tirazona, Doris Chetcuti; Natasha & Charlene, Rain Of Fire, Charlene Grima, Deo Grech; Rita Pace, On Top of the World, Rita Pace; Eleonor Cassar, Tell Me Why, Eugenio Schembri, Doris Chetcuti; Rosman Pace, Love Will Shine Forever, Jason P.Cassar, Sunny Aquilina; Konrad Pule, Everywhere You Go, Konrad Pule; Nadine Axisa, Look At Me, Dominic Galea, Ray Mahoney; Lynn Chircop, To Dream Again, Alfred Zammit, Cynthia Sammut; Johanna Guzman, I Believe in Love, Enzo Guzman, Joe Julian Farrugia/Johanna Guzman; Natasha & Charlene, Superstitious, Philip Vella, Gerard James Borg; Paul Giordmaina/Andrew Zammit/Godwin Lucas, My Song, Paul Giordmaina, Fleur Balzan; Julie Zahra & Ludwig Galea, My Number One, Philip Vella, Joe Julian Farrugia; Romina Mamo, Here Today Gone Tomorrow, Dominic Galea, Joe Friggieri; Karen Polidano, One Touch, Philip Vella, Joe Chircop; Lawrence Gray, And The Music, Dominic Galea, Mark Debono.