This year’s international music and entertainment fair Popkomm, which takes place in Berlin from September 19^th to 21^st, will see Germany simultaneously as host country and as guest of honour. Until now the fair mainly contributed to give foreign artists access to the German music market. In 2007, Popkomm aims at drawing the attention of international companies to the German musical talents and inciting them to import German music in their home countries.

 

The time seems right: The international demand for German music has rarely been so keen. German bands like Tokio Hotel or Seeed are very successful in European neighbour countries. Politics also seem to have recognized the export potential of German music: At the beginning of July the German government created the “Music Initiative”. 1.5 Million Euro will be invested in concerts abroad and booths on international fairs.

 

Better late than never! Other countries are already there: At last year’s Popkomm, 26 music export bureaus from all over the world promoted their national music products. Despite its small budget (in comparison: the national film support amounts to 60 million Euro) Dieter Gorny, founder of Popkomm and vice-chairman of the German IFPI committee, welcomes the “Music Initiative”, because “an international Tokio Hotel tour can have much more effect on Germany’s image abroad than the most expensive image campaign.”

For more information on Popkomm click [ here ]