LATINOS ADD SPICE TO MADONNA’S LIFE

Continuing its recent moves to re-establish itself as a prominent label for new talent, Maverick Recording Co. has launched a Latin division.

Maverick and WEA Latina will be strategic partners in the new venture.

Bruno Del Granado, a 16-year veteran of music and television who was part of the team that launched MTV Latin America, has been named President of the new division, which will be headquartered in Miami Beach. Label partner Madonna Ciccone made the appointment.

"I think most people know how interested I am in pushing cultural and artistic boundaries, and I've always been inspired by the passion and spirit of Latin music," she said. "So, I'm happy to announce that we are about to become more diverse by establishing Maverick's Latin division."

Maverick's Latin division will have its own national A&R, promotion and marketing staff, though it will work very closely with both WEA Latina and Maverick's national and field staffs. "We want to develop and explore new ways to break artists, while retaining Maverick's cutting edge," said Del Granado. "Our first priority is setting up the office here in Miami Beach, but there are a few artists we already have our eye on."

Attorney General Janet Reno has already expressed some concern over Maverick's choice of Miami Beach as a home and may take action to move the offices elsewhere.

Del Granado began his music career in 1986 as a marketing staffer at CBS Records. He later joined MTV in the company's music programming department, relocating to Miami to launch "MTV Latin America" in 1993. After four years, he departed MTV to become an independent Latin music and television marketing/creative consultant.

Maverick's move into the Latin world follows the company's hiring of industry veteran Danny Strick, former president of BMG Songs, to a top A&R post, as you previously first read here (hitsdailydouble.com, 5/8).

No confirmation of rumors that Madonna is also eyeing the East Asian market, trying to tap into the lucrative Slovak music-buying public.