Michel Kestemont

Current

General manager and partner at Unlimited Music Prod. Art. Ed. Mus.

Past

Dir. Admin. & Fin at Biscoito Fino
Dir. Admin. & Fin. at Nossa Música Publishing
Administrative & Finance Manager Brasil. at BMG Music Publishing

General Manager of Milan Music Brazil at Milan Entertainment
Executive Producer and Assistant to Guto Graça Mello at G G Music
International Mkt Manager. at EMI Records
Virgin Label Mngr. Brazil (at EMI Brazil) at Virgin Records
Associate Director Royalty Dept. Paris at PolyGram
Co-owner at Harmony Managment
Intern at CBS Records

see less...

7 more...

Education

Belmont University
Lycée François Rabelais (Bxl, Belgium)

Recommended

4 people have recommended Michel

Connections

40 connections

Industry

Music

Websites

Michel Kestemont’s Summary

Michel Kestemont, a Belgian, who has more than 25 years of experience in the music business in Brazil, the USA and Europe (Brussels and Paris).

He graduated from Belmont University and has worked in three continents (North America, Europe, and South America). He has worked for both record and music publishing companies and held senior positions with Polygram, BMG and EMI.

Michel is always looking for new challenges in any field. His most important strength is to be able to learn fast and understand how to solve problems wether it is by an hand on attitude or lead the specialist(s) needed.

The diverse positions in different cultures and work conditions forced Michel to have a strong ability to adapt and be fast in surrounding himself with the right people.

Michel Kestemont’s Specialties:

Music Publishing, Copyright Law, Royalty Auditing from any source, Royalty Administration and set up, Marketing of music, Acquisition of catalogues, contract negotiation in the music industry.

Michel Kestemont’s Experience

General manager and partner

Unlimited Music Prod. Art. Ed. Mus.

(Music industry)

January 2004 — Present (5 years 7 months)

Brazilian Boutique firm with a special focus on music publishing, and contract negotiation related to any music industry activity (publishing, recording artist, licensing - in Portuguese, French and English) as well as commercial set ups and/or redesigning music business organizations). We completed the intermediation of a successful buyout of a local firm by a UK based company and do consulting to some well-known music catalogues.
Dir. Admin. & Fin

Biscoito Fino

(Music industry)

2000 — 2004 (4 years)

Biscoito Fino (the record company) and Nossa Musica (the publishing company) share the same roof. At the record company, I was responsible for the full startup of the record company finance and administration but was involved in all aspects of the business, and established the financial Business. At both company I structured the administrative departments, which reported to me. In addition I directed contract negotiations of all projects under the owner, inclusive to sign Maria Bethania long term career contract but also directed and control all financial aspects of every project. I also was important in establishing all marketing operations and to build the company own distribution.
Dir. Admin. & Fin.

Nossa Música Publishing

(Music industry)

2000 — January 2004 (4 years)

Nossa Musica (music publishing) and Biscoito Fino (record company) share the same roof. At the Music publishing company, I was responsible for the full startup with the Managing Director (and owner) and also directly in charge of the company finance and administration. I was involved in all aspects of the business, and established the financial Business Plan. I was in charge of all financial analysis for the day to day operation as well as all business plan and finance reporting to the investor partner. I also structured the administrative departments, which reported to me.
Administrative & Finance Manager Brasil.

BMG Music Publishing

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Music industry)

1997 — November 2000 (3 years)

In the function I prepared the financial BP with the MD and was in charge of all aspects of the company.

The entire local team reported to me except the National A&R and the International A&R that reported directly to the MD. During most of my time at the company I was part of all local decisions processes especially under MD Marcos Juca as we worked together on all decisions.
General Manager of Milan Music Brazil

Milan Entertainment

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Music industry)

1995 — 1997 (2 years)

Responsible for the record Label full operation in Brazil, under a distribution deal with BMG Record Brazil.

It includes all Marketing and general management decisions but also permanent contract negotiation with the BMG distribution as well as decision related to local artist and product contracting.

The Brazilian company enjoyed expressive growth during the period due to an excellent team work with special distinction by Daniela Ribeiro.
Executive Producer and Assistant to Guto Graça Mello

G G Music

(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Music industry)

March 1993 — July 1995 (2 years 5 months)

I worked with most top writers and most top Brazilian artists. I was responsible for all finance and administration of the productions including all recording budgets and also the studio budget he owned. I also was his direct assistant on all production eventually being involved in some artistic decision. Among the artist I work with during that time are Zelia Duncan, Cassia Eller, Fabio Jr., Netinho, Elba Ramalho, Alceu Valença, Ivan Lins, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil and many more. We also were partner in a small label distributed by EMI and released a few records directed by Maria Bethania.

See recommendation from Brazilian producer Guto Graça Mello at

http://www.unlimited-music.com.br/Ref_Guto_Graca_Mello.pdf
International Mkt Manager.

EMI Records

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Music industry)

January 1992 — March 1993 (1 year 3 months)

After EMI bought Virgin I was promoted to take over more labels. As Marketing manager, I was in charge of all marketing plans of the labels, reporting to the international Mkt division.
Virgin Label Mngr. Brazil (at EMI Brazil)

Virgin Records

(Public Company; 51-200 employees; Music industry)

January 1990 — March 1993 (3 years 3 months)

As Virgin Label manager, I was in charge of all marketing plans for the label releases, reporting to the international Mkt division. It was a time that international repertoire represented 70% of the Brazilian Market. We had a full independent marketing and promotion department for international products (Virgin had a joint venture with EMI Brazil for the territory).

See recommendation from Lorraine Barry @ Virgin Rec.
http://www.unlimited-music.com.br/Ref_Lorraine_Barry_Virgin.pdf
Associate Director Royalty Dept. Paris

PolyGram

(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; Music industry)

January 1987 — December 1989 (3 years)
Co-owner

Harmony Managment

(Music industry)

January 1985 — December 1986 (2 years)

Consultant and artist management company. Brussels, Belgium. Clients included among others, David Linx, Nicolas Fiszman (Musician composer, producer of Mauranne, Viktor Lazlo, Kadjanin and many more)
Intern

CBS Records

(Privately Held; 501-1000 employees; Music industry)

January 1982 — August 1984 (2 years 8 months)

Intern at the Artist development department of the Nashville division while studying at Belmont.

Michel Kestemont’s Education

Belmont University

BBA , Business, Music Business , 1981 — 1984

Director of the Belmont Student Chapter of the NMA (Nashville Music Association) with Michelle Myers and Erin Morris. We produced and organized events to showcase new talents.
See Bilboard Magazine coverage of one small event:
http://www.unlimited-music.com.br/Bilboard_NMA_Student_Chapter.pdf
Lycée François Rabelais (Bxl, Belgium)

1974 — 1980