wrote his first hit 'Tivedshambo' at age 16
founded Polar Music AB, with partner Bengt Bernhag in 1963, which released ABBA’s records, including many solo releases up to the mid eighties
encouraged young Björn to be a singer, writer and producer, as well as encouraging him to study at university
employed Björn & Benny as staff producers at Polar Music when he could only afford to pay for one producer
gave Björn and Benny creative support so that they could write and produce their music
wrote lyrics for many ABBA hits up to 1977
coined the name "ABBA" from the initials Anni-Frid, Benny, Björn, Agnetha
made deals to release ABBA’s records worldwide with what he determined to be the best record company in each territory in terms of support and advertising, rather than having them released by one multi-national company
arranged for internationally famous American singer Neil Sedaka to write lyrics for 'Ring Ring' in an effort to appeal to an international audience. Also arranged for well known songwriters to create French, German and Spanish lyrics for ABBA songs to boost sales in those markets
marketed 'Waterloo' to record companies in an international promotional campaign never previously seen
encouraged ABBA to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest to gain international recognition
exploited video and television to ensure that ABBA could be seen in many countries at once without having to leave Sweden
negotiated tours, merchandise deals and promotional appearances for ABBA around the world
successfully managed ABBA until they became the biggest pop group in Europe, the UK, Australasia, Japan, etc
encouraged ABBA to invest their earnings to reduce their personal tax burden
brokered trade deals that saw ABBA records released in countries behind the iron curtain
allowed ABBA to work at their own pace, never forcing them to release new records until they were satisfied with the finished result
mentored, advised and befriended the members of ABBA over many, many years
helped to solve ABBA's personal and professional crises with a brilliant flair that gave us at least 2 more ABBA albums than we would have had
trained the woman who is still making everything happen behind the scenes for Björn, Benny and Frida - Görel Hanser
promoted Sweden and Swedish music throughout the world
founded the Polar Music Prize
finally, if not for Stig's early encouragement of ABBA, it's likely that Benny would now be a little known Swedish composer, Agnetha would be a Swedish singer that no one outside Scandinavia had ever heard of, Frida would be a part-time singer in jazz clubs, and Björn would be a lawyer who sometimes played the guitar at parties
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