ROGER BROUWN: TAKING NEW STEPS

Somewhere in 2021 Roger took a gamble. Because of the pandemic everything had come to a halt in the Netherlands, leaving booking agents twiddling their thumbs. “I took a leap of faith and boarded a plane to set up a business 8,000 kilometres away”, says Roger. On Curaçao, he renovated a restaurant and successfully ran it.

“I knew it was going to be a temporary thing, just to bridge the covid period. But somehow people got the idea that I had emigrated and had left the music business behind me. They were mistaken. In the background everything continued, including managing Missin’Link and its artists.”

About eight months ago Roger returned home, alive & kicking. So, business as usual? In a sense, yes. Roger continues to manage the artists in his current roster: Broederliefde, Latifah, Poke, Kleine John & Chavanté, Edson Cesar and N!DO, finding them the best gigs and taking care of their needs.

But there’s more. Not so long ago, Roger was contacted by an old friend: Koos Groenendijk, who is the director of SEG Artists, the division of SEG that specialises in music and entertainment. Among his clients are The Opposites, Willem, Rotjoch and Kybba.

“I've known Koos for about fifteen years and we've always had a good relationship”, says Roger, “He knows the business, understands the culture, speaks my language. He has a strong and solid network, and I felt that it was the right time to turn our years of friendship into a business collaboration.”

The partnership is still very fresh, but Roger has high hopes. “It will be nice to explore what new possibilities lie within the collaboration with SEG. I hope I can add a lot of experience and knowledge. SEG Artists is able to offer talents a formidable team in all areas they need: management, legal matters, finance, marketing and social media. At the same time, I will keep focusing on my current roster. I do enjoy a challenge, so my ambition is to develop a strong artists department together with Koos, one that will become a main player in the Benelux.”

Koos Groenendijk, director of SEG Artists: “This collaboration is a big milestone for SEG Artists. Roger has been active in the music industry for many years. He has the ability to connect with both veterans and new talent. I am sure that he can support us on the business side as well as contribute his creative input. I am very happy and honoured that he has joined us.”