August 27, 2008

By By Leila Cobo, Miami

Italian indie Planet Records, which has pioneered the entry of multiple tropical acts into the European market, is opening offices in the United States by the beginning of 2009.

Planet, which licensed the likes of Monchy & Alexandra and Papi Sanchez in Europe, is perhaps best-known for its success with Aventura. The urban-bachata group first found European success via Planet, which licensed their albums and took their song "Obsesi?n" to No. 1 on the Italian charts. "Obsesi?n" would eventually reach No. 1 on the Eurochart.

Planet has already signed several artists for the U.S. market and plans to release albums by Papi Sanchez, Kinito Mendez and Juan Formell y Los Van Van, among others, by November.

Although Planet's offices are not officially open yet, the label has already begun to operate with veteran Al Zamora heading radio promotion and Glitter Promotions for press and publicity.

Planet founder Roberto Ferrante will head operations, commuting between Italy and Miami.

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