. . . Meanwhile, Back in the A&R; Dept.

The big mystery over what would transpire at the Geffen Records A&R; department following the departure of Gary Gersh for the presidency of Capitol Records has ended quietly and internally. Look for veteran Geffen alternative marketing and promotion man Mark Kates to move into the A&R; department in what Geffen president Ed Rosenblatt calls a “collaborative role.”

“Mark already has a particular affinity and relationship with many of the artists Gary was working with,” says Rosenblatt, who pointed to Kates’ years working college and alternative radio. “We know he has the taste and the instinct. This will give him the chance to develop his A&R; skills.”