Santa Monica/Beijing, September 4, 2023 – As the business branch of Universal Music
Group in China, the global leader in music entertainment, Universal Music Greater China (Universal Music Greater
China) today announced the appointment Respected industry executive Timothy
Xu serves as chairman and chief executive officer, fully leading Universal Music's business in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The appointment will officially take effect on September 4, 2023. Xu Yi's arrival will take over from former chairman Sunny
Chang, a senior executive who has been in charge of Universal Music for many years and retired at the beginning of this year.
Xu Yi has more than 30 years of experience in the music industry and has successfully created many superstars in the Chinese music industry. As an innovator, he continues to introduce new business models to drive market development. Prior to joining Universal Music, Xu Yi had worked for Taihe Music Group, a leading music company in China, since 2018, serving as President and CEO. From 2012 to
2016, Xu Yi served as Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Greater China. Previously, he held long-term positions at leading international music companies, including EMI Records, EMI Copyright Management China and Warner Music China. His career in the music industry began when he joined the China Book Import and Export Corporation in 1992.
In addition, as one of the most famous managers in the music industry, Xu Yi has held many important social positions on behalf of the industry, including: Deputy Chairman of the Recording Working Committee (Singing Working Committee) of China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association, Singing Working Committee Co-founder and chairman of the judging committee of the Music Awards (CMA), deputy director of the Emerging Music Groups Working Committee of the Chinese Musicians Association, and consultant of the Digital Music Working Committee of the China Audiovisual and Digital Publishing Association.
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said in announcing the news: "I am very pleased to welcome Xu Yi to lead Universal Music's business in Greater China. He is a true professional A music industry manager with deep experience in the Chinese-language music market, both creative and commercial success. I believe Xu Yi will play a key role in driving the continued growth of this dynamic music market in China. ."
Adam
Granite, executive vice president of market development of Universal Music Group, said: "I have been fortunate to have worked with Xu Yi. I believe that his unique and comprehensive experience in the industry will bring great benefits to Universal Music in Greater China. Fully expanding our business brings new opportunities and further accelerates our focus on introducing Chinese music, culture and artists to new markets and audiences around the world."
Xu Yi said: "I am delighted to join Universal Music Group as General Manager. Chairman and CEO of China, we look forward to further building the company into a dynamic and innovative promoter in the Chinese music industry ecosystem. Thank you Sir Lucian and Adam for inviting me to join this world's leading music company and allowing me to work in Universal Music Realize more visions in future business development and help artists succeed in the Chinese music market and even the broader world stage."
Since 2021, Universal Music has become the first mainstream record company to implement multi-label operations in China. Under the flagship brand of Universal Music China, a number of local first-tier labels have been launched, including Republic Records China, EMI Records, PolyGram Records, and Capitol Records China. This series of initiatives aims to elevate Chinese music content to a new strategic focus, focusing on the discovery and creation of local musicians, looking for the next generation of Chinese pop music superstars, promoting the influence of C-Pop on the international stage, and bringing new life to the stage. to introduce contemporary Chinese musicians to the world.
From left to right: Sir Lucian Grange, Xu Yi, Adam Granite
