Universal Music has promoted Andrew Chan to the new post of senior VP of digital and strategic development for the Greater China region.
The music major says Chan’s new role is reward for the “enormous contributions” he has made to China’s digital music business.
He led One Stop China, a joint venture between Universal Music, Warner Music and Sony Music which in 2011 struck a major licensing deal with Baidu. That arrangement facilitated China’s biggest search engine’s switch to a licensed music distribution model.
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Chan has since been at the vanguard of allying music labels with digital service providers to pave the way for paid music services, notes Universal.
“Andrew’s prowess in the region’s digital space is exceptional and we look forward to seeing exciting developments take shape,” explains Rob Wells, Universal’s president of global digital business, in a statement.
Chan, who joined Universal Music in 2009, will continue to lead the Greater China digital team with additional responsibilities of strategic business development to originate special projects in China.
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“Andrew’s comprehensive and successful track record makes him one of our most valuable executives,” adds George Ash, president of Universal Music Asia Pacific, noting the exec is “an ideas man who also closes ground-breaking deals.”
Sunny Chang, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Greater China, comments: “Andrew will be a genuine leader in the ongoing evolution of our China focus, which will realize the potential of the rapid growth we have already seen in recent years.”