Calvin Wong To Head UMG, Southeast Asia

Calvin Wong - the new CEO of UMG’s Southeast Asia & SVP, Asia

With businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries Universal Music Group, or UMG is the top dog in music entertainment business. On May 8th, they announced the appointment of a few new key positions for their Asian market. The appointment comes alongside a strategic expansion of operations and infrastructure within Singapore, which will become the main headquarters for UMG activity within the region.

“I am thrilled to welcome Calvin to UMG,"Adam Granite, UMG’s executive VP of market development.

Calvin Wong joins UMG with 30 years of experience in the music industry.  Wong will lead UMG’s regional operations across Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Indochina and will report to Adam Granite, UMG’s Executive VP, Market Development. He previously was at Warner Music Group, where he most recently held the position of President, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Korea and EVP, Marketing. Prior to joining Warner Music in 1998, Calvin held regional positions at EMI.

“He 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.”  Granite

Wong will be joined in Singapore by a new executive leadership team, consisting of Elvin Eng (CFO, Southeast Asia & Korea) who will oversee the finance operations and strategy for Southeast Asian markets and Korea; Gus Henderson (Head of New Business and Brands, Southeast Asia and Korea), who will lead new business and brand partnership efforts in Southeast Asia and Korea; and Sarah Ismail, who is promoted to Marketing Director, Southeast Asia.

“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.” Granite

Calvin Wong expressed his appreciation for getting the opportunity to join Universal Music Group at a time when the market is so accepting and exciting for Asian music. "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.", He said, 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."