The company said in an announcement today (January 7) that its raft of new hires signals a “significant expansion of UMG’s finance, marketing and public policy infrastructure in Asia to maximize creative and commercial opportunities across these markets”.
Adam Granite, Executive Vice President, Market Development, Universal Music Group, commented, “In order to maximize the opportunities for growth throughout these dynamic and fast evolving markets, we have expanded and bolstered our senior management teams within Greater China and throughout Asia to ensure that UMG remains at the forefront of industry change and innovation, breaking new talent and embracing new platforms and audiences, as the adoption of streaming through legal services continues to drive the growing music economy forward within the region.”
UMG owner Vivendi has previously tasked the music company with developing its presence in China – a region which, according to the IFPI, contributed $292.3m to the recorded music business in 2017, up 35.3% year-on-year.
UMG has hired Aaron Wang as Chief Financial Officer for Greater China. He will oversee all financial operations within the region.
Wang will be based in Beijing and report to Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO, UMG Greater China and Boyd Muir, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and President of Operations for Universal Music Group.
“We have expanded and bolstered our senior management teams within Greater China and throughout Asia to ensure that UMG remains at the forefront of industry change and innovation.”
He joins UMG from Sony Pictures Entertainment, where he held the position of CFO, Greater China. Wang previously held positions at Yake Trading Co., Sequel AG (A Timex Company) and American Express.
In addition, Tracy Mu has been appointed as Finance Director, Universal Music China. Mu will report to Wang and Garand Wu, Managing Director, Universal Music China and joins UMG from international technology company Dolby Industries, where she spent 11 years, most recently as Finance Manager, APAC.
Elsewhere, Yvonne Yuen has been appointed as UMG’s SVP, Marketing, Greater China. She previously held the position of SVP, International Marketing for UMG in South East Asia and will continue to be based in Hong Kong. She will report to Sunny Chang.
Prior to joining UMG in 2005, Yuen held the position of VP, Marketing, Sony Music Asia and roles at Warner Music and Arena Group in Hong Kong.
“These new additions to our senior management team show our ambition to expand the boundaries of commercial success for our recording artists, labels and other businesses both within Greater China and internationally.”
Sunny Chang, Universal Music Greater China
Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO, Universal Music Greater China said, “These new additions to our senior management team show our ambition to expand the boundaries of commercial success for our recording artists, labels and other businesses both within Greater China and internationally.
“Working closely with our UMG partner labels globally, we will look to introduce more Chinese talent to international audiences as we did with Kris Wu in 2018, whilst also helping UMG’s international artists achieve success in to this rapidly growing music market.”
In addition, Elvin Eng, who currently holds the position of VP, Finance for UMG, Asia Region has been promoted to CFO, UMG, South East Asia region, reporting to Muir.
Eng will oversee the finance operations and strategy for South East Asian markets including Korea. He will be based in Singapore.
[Pictured, main, L-R: Aaron Wang, Elvin Eng and Yvonne Yuen]
UMG has also announced the appointment of Ang Kwee Tiang (aka KT Ang) to the newly-created position of Senior Vice President, Asia Public Policy, effective immediately.
Ang (pictured inset) joins UMG from IFPI, the global trade body for recorded music, where he has served as Regional Director, Asia Pacific since 2013.
With more than 25 years of music industry experience throughout Asia, Ang has been deeply involved in the development of local public policy affecting music, including the enactments of copyright laws, anti-piracy efforts and the establishment of more than a dozen copyright collection societies.
Ang, who is an attorney by training, has also previously worked as the regional director, Asia Pacific for CISAC.
“KT’s appointment is not only a reflection of the fact that Asia is a crucial priority for UMG, and that sound public policies are essential to the success of the creative sectors, but also a reflection of the tremendous value of KT’s unparalleled experience and singular talent.”
Eric Berman, Universal Music Group
Reporting to UMG’s Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Eric Berman, Ang will work closely with Granite and Universal’s regional executive teams to ‘ensure that UMG is leading the conversation to help create and sustain a robust and effective copyright framework to support a sustainable ecosystem for artists, creators and industry throughout the region’.
Based in Hong Kong, Ang will work across all markets throughout the region, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, India, Japan and Vietnam.
Of Ang’s appointment, Berman said, “KT’s appointment is not only a reflection of the fact that Asia is a crucial priority for UMG, and that sound public policies are essential to the success of the creative sectors, but also a reflection of the tremendous value of KT’s unparalleled experience and singular talent.
“You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with greater personal understanding of music public policy through the region.
“He also brings a unique breadth of expertise across the Asian music industry – from music publishing to recorded music – that will support our dynamic team in the region. Although we have known him and his work for many years, it is a great pleasure to welcome him to the UMG family.”Music Business Worldwide
