Magnus Talent Agency acquires Industria Works

Latin music specialist Magnus Talent Agency has acquired the booking and management divisions of Spain’s Industria Works.

Industria Works organises tours of Europe and Latin America for artists such as Trueno, Love of Lesbian, Paula Cendejas, Villano Antillano, Tom Tom Club, YSY A, Maikel Delacalle, Nicola Cruz and YADAM.

Those acts will now join the roster of Miami-headquartered Magnus, which already has the likes of Marc Anthony, Bacilos, Fonseca, Gente de Zona, Il Volo, Mau y Ricky and Micro TDH on his books.

APMusicales reports the partnership brings five new staff to the Magnus team and more than doubles the number of artists under the agency’s representation to 25, in addition to giving it a strategic presence in the European market.

“This new partnership is an important step in our international expansion and will provide crucial presence and expertise in the European market”

Industria Works founder Tomas Cookman will take a leading role in the merged company, with director Agustín López leading the Madrid-based office and general team in Spain, which also includes Ulia Moreno, Patricia Zavala and Alicia Toboso.

“We are more than excited to join forces with the team at Industria Works,” says Magnus CEO Michel Vega. “I have known and admired Tomas for over 20 years and we share the same passion for excellence in artist representation. This new partnership is an important step in our international expansion and will provide crucial presence and expertise in the European market and other territories; all in order to continue providing a first-class service to the careers of our iconic artists and future musical icons.”

“We have had a long-standing and warm relationship with Magnus, I have always considered Michel Vega a friend, and I am now proud to call him a partner,” adds Cookman. “We are excited by the opportunity to join forces with a strong team to increase opportunities and bring extensive global performance and artistic management experience to our combined artist lineup. “I believe in the power of teamwork and Michel and Marc have created a solid foundation on which we will continue to build.”

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Marc Anthony plots first and only livestreamed event

Organisers of Marc Anthony’s One Night Only global livestream event are gearing up for what they hope will be the biggest Latin music live stream to date, with tickets selling strongly for the Latin superstar’s first and only virtual concert.

The seven-time Grammy award winner will take to the stage on Saturday 17 April for what is described as an intimate, personal performance that promises viewers “an an experience that cannot be duplicated, not even in a live stage show”.

One Night Only is directed by Grammy winner Carlos Perez (’Despacito’, ‘Vivir Mi Vida’) and produced by Magnus Studios, with worldwide promotion/marketing handled by Miami-based promoter Live and Loud. Global distribution will be managed by Live and Loud Studios, the promoter’s development and distribution arm.

“There is no generation that has not danced to or enjoyed Marc Anthony’s music,” says Nelson Albareda, CEO of Loud And Live, “so it gives us great pride to be able to collaborate with one of the most distinguished and legendary Latin artists of our time, in what will be his first and only virtual global concert.

“It gives us great pride to be able to collaborate with one of the most distinguished and legendary Latin artists of our time”

“Despite not being able to offer live events during this time, these virtual concerts have helped us forge ahead and bring unique experiences to our global audiences.”

“At Magnus Studios, we have set out to create unique content and entertainment experiences for worldwide audiences,” adds Magnus COO Felipe Pimiento. “Music is in our DNA and this will mark the first of many music content productions in our production pipeline; we couldn’t be prouder than starting with our own, Marc Anthony, to set the stage for what’s to come.”

Adds Anthony: “Although for safety reasons we cannot be face-to-face yet, I am sure that this concert will create an incredible magic that will allow me to connect with my audience, wherever they are, and with all those who need a touch of music to move forward; to maintain the passion for life.”

Tickets for One Night Only, which are priced at €20 + €7.24 booking fee, are available from Anthony’s website.

Latin music specialist Loud and Live, which is partnered with leading Latin American promoter Move Concerts, recently promoted Florida’s first concerts of 2021 with three back-to-back shows by ‘Gentleman of Salsa’ Gilberto Santa Rosa.

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Henry Cárdenas acquires new Arena Bogotá

Henry Cárdenas, president and executive director of US-based promoter Cárdenas Marketing Network (CMN), has acquired Arena Bogotá, a 24,000-seat entertainment and sports venue under construction in Bogota, Colombia.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though Colombia-born Cárdenas says he has made a “multimillion-dollar investment” in the arena, which will occupy a million-square-foot (93,000m²) site on Calle 80 (80th Street) in the Colombian capital.

Founded in 2002 and based in Chicago and Miami, CMN produces tours by Latin stars including Marc Anthony, Bad Bunny, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Chayanne, Becky G and Sech, as well as ¡Viva Latino! Live, the package tour based on the Spotify playlist of the same name. Cárdenas also leads Cárdenas Entertainment and Marketing Group (CEMG), founded in 2018 to manage the Arena Bogotá project.

According to Cárdenas, Arena Bogotá will have a number of unique features, including a 131’ (40m)-high roof which can support 110 tons – allowing for bigger production than is currently possible in Colombia – and over 40,000sqft (3,700m²) of storage space, allowing ten trucks to load in simultaneously (more than anywhere else in Latin America).

“I am very proud to be able to become the entertainment ambassador in my native country, and to be able to welcome everyone to Arena Bogotá, which will be the home to all Colombians, businessmen and promoters, artists and live music events, business conventions and sports that our country deserves,” says Cárdenas.

“It’s about time that Colombia had a building that was able to offer more and better shows”

“For the first year of operations we plan to perform between 130 and 140 shows, which means about three events per week, including family events, corporate, live music, sports – for example, motocross, Olympic sports, indoor soccer, boxing, volleyball, tennis, basketball, et cetera – esports, parades and equine events, among others.

Cárdenas says there is no space in Latin America comparable to Arena Bogotá. “There are some similarities with Arena Mexico [16,500-cap.], but even so there are none that have the qualities and grandiosity of Arena Bogotá.

“As a way to compare the relative size, we can look to the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, which includes 17,000 seats, whereas Arena Bogotá will have 24,000. This great space gives us the flexibility to perform events and shows that we otherwise may not have been able to do.”

A percentage of the arena’s profits will go the Maestro Cares Foundation, founded by Cárdenas and Marc Anthony, to support charitable projects in Colombia.

“It’s about time that Colombia had a building that was able to offer more and better shows,” concludes Cárdenas. “In the second half of 2020, we will have access to a dream venue to enjoy shows like Marc Anthony, Carlos Vives, Maluma, Nicky Jam, Bad Bunny, Becky G, Silvestre Dangond, Wisin and Yandel, Ricardo Arjona, Maná and Romeo Santos, among others, with our family and friends.

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