What did you wake up thinking about this morning? Before getting out of bed I think of all the things that will happen during the day. This week, Latin America is going through a very challenging time, and I woke up thinking how this is going to affect our business and how we can minimize the impact as much as possible while our companies go about their day to day. The problem is particularly acute in Argentina, where the local currency has begun to devalue. But I also woke up thinking that this week we’ll get new singles by [Chilean rock band] La Ley, who are recording together in Los Angeles after 10 years and are planning a spectacular Latin-American tour. I’ll also get new singles by Alexander Acha and Sandoval, and that’s very exciting.
What will define your career in the coming year? The answer may sound obvious, but it’s a fact: Create as many hit singles as possible. That will define my career and that’s what defines my career every year. We also need to continue adapting our company to a new environment where the consumer has constant access to music from anywhere at any time. But in the end, there’s nothing more important than hits. We’re releasing a new single by Laura Pausini featuring [Sony act] Marc Anthony at the end of the month that I think can be a huge hit.
Describe a lesson you’ve learned from a failure. What I’ve realized through the years is that every time I’ve tried to follow a trend, every time I’ve considered the trend more important than the artist itself, I’ve always failed. A&R always has to be in the business of creating trends, not following them. This applies to everything in life — when you become a follower, you usually don’t do as well. And musically speaking, there are trends I arrived at too late, like bachata, for example, where by the time we signed acts the moment had passed.
Name a project that you’re not affiliated with that has most impressed you in the last year. Marc Anthony’s “Vivir Mi Vida” was very compelling, beginning with its conception as a cover of an African song translated to Spanish that became No. 1 [on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart] for many weeks.
Who’s your most important mentor, and what did you learn? The first is Nacho Cano [Spanish pop star, composer and co-founder of Spanish group Mecano]. He put up his own money, produced my band [La Union] and took us to a label, and our first single — “Hombre Lobo en Paris” — spent 13 weeks at No. 1 [on Spain’s national radio charts]. After I left the band he recommended me for a job at Warner’s A&R department. I’ve learned from him to be consistent and relentless. Another mentor is Saul Tagarro, my boss in Warner Spain. He taught me everything I know, from basics like always keeping your office door open to providing explanations along with your answers. That’s essential for a company to retain its culture. My third mentor is my father, who taught me responsibility, hard work and getting up after a fall.
Name a desert island album. If it’s a Caribbean island, “Natty Dread” by Bob Marley & the Wailers. If it’s a cold island, then David Bowie’s “Low” or “The Clash” by the Clash.