From the MCRFB news archive: 1963
Motown Sets Expansion Sights Towards Europe
DETROIT — Tamla-Motown Records is going after the overseas market with serious intent. The hot singles label is sending three representatives to Europe to establish and expand agreements with distribution outlets on the Continent. President Berry Gordy, Vice-President Barney Ales and Mrs. Esther Edwards will leave for London March 1.
The trio will make headquarters for the first week in the Carlton Towers. They expect to be in Europe four to six weeks. According to Ales, they will be cementing relations and affiliations not only for the label but also for the affiliated Jobete publishing and an associated management firm.
Ales also stated that this first trip to the Continent is exploratory in nature. He said he and Gordy were interested primarily in talking with as many companies as possible about distribution and representation.
The only firm the Tamla-Motown labels have a solid agreement with at the present time is the Oriole label in England.
This, Ales said, is due to run out in June. Most other agreements for distribution of records on the company’s labels are with companies on a one-shot basis with a 30-day cancellation clause.
The Detroit Motown Records execs will be touring Belgium, Germany, Holland and other European countries and wish to discuss distribution and representation with many firms in those countries.
Ales stressed the importance of talks about the Jobete publishing and management firms because of the growing importance of both artists and tunes associated with the operation here. Ales noted that the Contours were going to appear in England in March and that three Jobete tunes had done very well in Europe: “Please Mr. Postman,” “Do You Love Me” and “Mashed Potatoes.” Dee Dee Sharp had the hit on the last-named but Jobete has the copyright. END
(Information and news source: Billboard; March 2, 1963)
