IFPI Latin America welcomes new regional director Vazquez, bids farewell to Abaroa

April 25, 2001 - IFPI Latin America has announced the impending departure of Gabriel Abaroa, regional director of IFPI Latin America, and the appointment of Raul Vazquez, who is taking over the position. The two will work together during a transition period in the next two months.

Gabriel Abaroa joined IFPI in 1989 as the anti-piracy coordinator for Mexico and in 1995 he became executive president of the Latin American Recording Industry association FLAPF. When FLAPF merged with IFPI to become IFPI Latin America last year, Abaroa was appointed the first regional director.

Abaroa has worked along with IFPI and its US affiliate, RIAA, to build an organisation with an active presence in 17 Latin American countries. During his tenure, more than 75 million pirate units were seized; three rogue industrial CD plants were closed; and anti-piracy operations were established in most Latin American countries. Regional projects on performance rights, ratification of WIPO treaties and internet anti-piracy were also implemented.

Raul Vazquez is a veteran with diverse experience in the music industry in Latin America. He joins IFPI from eritmo.com, the first music website to be established in the region. From 1988 to 1997, Vazquez worked with Sony Music, latterly as senior vice president, administration, Sony Music International (Latin America) - a position he was promoted to in 1994. During his role as president and general manager of Sony Music (Mexico) in 1992, he chaired the national group of IFPI Mexico.

After leaving Sony in 1997, Vazquez started artist management company Servicios Artisticos Latinos in Miami, Florida, which represented Franco De Vita and Ricardo Arjona among others.

Frank Welzer, chairman of IFPI Latin America said: "We are all sorry to see Gabriel leave. He has played a key role in organising the fight against piracy and in enhancing our industry's legal rights. We are indeed fortunate to have Raul Vazquez as his replacement. Raul is a seasoned Latin music industry veteran and brings a whole new perspective to this position. We are entering a new phase in our fight against piracy. With executives of Raul's experience we shall succeed."

Jay Berman, chairman of IFPI commented, "We are sorry that Gabriel Abaroa is leaving. He was an instrumental force in the creation of a Latin American recording industry structure and played a vital role in the creation of IFPI Latin America. We are very fortunate that Gabriel's successor will be a respected industry veteran, Raul Vazquez."

For further information please contact:
Fiona Harley, IFPI Communications, Tel: +44 20 7878 7900