Universal Greater Music (UMG) is expanding its horizons.
On 2 March 2022, Universal Music Greater China (UMGC) announced an expansion of its label operations with the launch of Capitol Records China and a new standalone international division, to be revealed later.
The launch of Capitol Records in China is the label's first venture into Asia, which is a significant step for music in Asia. One of the world's biggest music companies, Capitol Records has been home to many critically acclaimed artists including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, Troye Sivan, Sam Smith, and more. The label will now be building on its rich legacy in Asia, making a home for Chinese music and talent in the international scene.
Based in Beijing, the new label will be led by general manager Tom Tang.
"I am so honoured to have been given the opportunity to launch the iconic record label – Capitol Records in China. This is an exciting and dynamic time for music in China, with an explosion in possibilities across cultural creativity and digital innovation. Now more than ever, we have an opportunity to build global careers for our homegrown musicians. I look forward to collaborating with the world-class team at UMG, expanding our investment in local talent, and building the visibility and popularity of Chinese music internationally,” he shares.
CEO and Chair, Michelle Jubelirer, expresses her confidence in Tom.
"We are in a global industry, and it is hugely important to Capitol that audiences around the world are able to engage with our artists and their music. The formation of Capitol Records China and the naming of such talented members to the label’s executive management team means that Chinese audiences will have better access to domestic repertoire across China under Tom, as well as our diverse roster of international superstar talent under Yvonne. This is a tremendous and fitting advance of Capitol’s 80-year legacy.”
Tom has led UMGC to establish many frontline label operations in China such as Republic Records China, EMI China, PolyGram Records China, and Universal Music China, and it's no denying Capitol Records China will do as well under his leadership.
A stand-alone international division under Yvonne Yuen, Marketing & Head of International in Universal Music Greater China, has also been launched to maximize creative and commercial opportunities for UMGC's artists.
"At UMGC, our international team always strives to develop innovative and tailor-made marketing campaigns to break our artists’ repertoire to new territories and audiences, and that exchange of music should work both ways. I believe that China is at the forefront of breaking the international stars of tomorrow. I hope to work closely with our domestic labels to identify the future stars from China and bring their music to reach a global audience”, she shares.
All labels under UMGC will work with local digital partners in content licensing and creative marketing, supported by UMG's global network of platforms and partners to elevate the Chinese music scene, such as Tencent Music Entertainment Group and NetEase Cloud Music. Under the multi-label structure, UMGC intends to develop groundbreaking strategies to support domestic labels and provide ample services and support to China's rich and diverse scope of talents.
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