UMG adds Southeast Asia HQ in Singapore, names Calvin Wong as CEO
Universal Music Group has announced its broad expansion across Southeast Asia, with a new regional headquarters in Singapore, which will be led by music industry veteran Calvin Wong.
In his new role as CEO, Southeast Asia & SVP, Asia, Wong will lead UMG's efforts across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indochina. Wong will report to Adam Granite, UMG’s executive VP, Market Development.
Adam Granite stated, “[Wong] brings with him unparalleled experience as an executive, marketer and business entrepreneur within the Asian music industry and will help provide strong leadership and support across each local domestic territory. These new additions to our senior management team show our ambition to attract new domestic talent, expand the boundaries of commercial success for our recording artists, labels and other businesses within the region and to amplify opportunities for local and international artists to reach new fans around the world."
Prior to this, Wong was with Warner Music Group, where he was most recently President, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Korea and EVP, Marketing. Before joining WMG in 1998, Wong held numerous regional positions at EMI.
On his appointment, Wong stated, “Over the past few years, Southeast Asia has undergone a period of huge digital transformation which has not only fueled market development but also helped create new commercial partners and creative opportunities for artists from throughout the region. I am excited to help reinforce UMG’s position as the market leader in talent and business development, digital innovation, partnerships, and artist focused services. At a time where we are now seeing songs from around the world becoming global hits, the opportunity has never been better for Southeast Asian artists to reach new audiences around the world."
In addition, UMG has also assembled a new executive leadership team to join Wong in Singapore. These include Elvin Eng, CFO, Southeast Asia & Korea; Gus Henderson, head of new business and brands, Southeast Asia and Korea; Sarah Ismail, marketing director, Southeast Asia; Daniel Haugen, VP, business development and digital; and Aerae Eun, HR director, Southeast Asia & Korea.
The appointments come as part of UMG’s initiatives to grow the entire music ecosystem across SE Asia given that the market on account of the digital transformation the reason has seen.