Quickfire: having achieved chart hits as manager of both Steps and A1, Tim Byrne is now hoping his new proteges Pop! can repeat the success of their predecessors.(Forum)

It has been a while since you last launched an act. What have you been up to?

My management partner Vicky Blood moved to New Zealand, so Byrne Blood as a con]paw ended last year. Since then I have moved into a new office in County Hall and have been working on some really exciting new projects, three of which are tied to BMG.

Since the rise of Blue, Westlife and Atomic Kitten, mainstream British pop has been in the doldrums somewhat. Isn't it all about Busted and McFly these days?

Not at all. I am more fired up than ever about this project. It is the exact opposite of what else is happening. The cooler end of pop is well covered with acts like Busted and Sugababes, which I love. But Pop! is full-on kitsch and is about entertainment. Ash were on CD:UK last week slagging off pop music and I was delighted. I don't want it to be cool with that audience.

Why do you think Pop! will succeed where other acts have failed?

Acts like Fast Food Rockers and Cheeky Girls were so badly put together and they totally misunderstood the point of good-quality pop. Atomic Kitten were perhaps the closest thing to hit that market before they split. I see Pop! as being at the front of a new cycle of pop acts. I know quite clearly that kids are really into it and actually want something like ...