Carol Ding (Ding Qian) has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President & Head of Digital and Commercial at UMGC, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), according to UMG Greater China. Ding will be based in Beijing and will report to Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO UMGC, and Ulrik Cahn, Executive Vice President, Africa Middle East Asia (AMEA).
Ding joined UMG in 2018 as Vice President, Global Digital Strategy of APAC, where she served as a key member of the company’s Corporate Digital Strategy team. Ding has played an important role in establishing and implementing digital strategy and growth in the region while also developing and strengthening partnerships with existing and new worldwide Digital Service Provider partners both locally and globally.
Ms. Ding has significant knowledge of China’s swiftly changing entertainment industry landscape, having worked in the country for over a decade. She will be a key player in the digital and commercial business development and operation in the regional markets, collaborate closely with frontline labels and territories to further expand digital partners’ network while continuing to explore commercial possibilities for UMG’s world-leading roster of artists and unrivaled music catalog across Greater China and beyond as a member of UMGC’s senior management team.
In making the announcement, Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO UMGC, said, “I’d like to extend my warmest welcome to Carol, as she joins our GC senior management team. Carol was uniquely positioned as the China-based expert within a global digital strategy team at UMG and her extensive expertise in today’s global digital music industry, combined with profound knowledge in the domestic markets of Greater China, brings valuable skill assets and resources to help us to succeed in the ever-evolving digital landscape in China.”
Michael Nash, Executive Vice President of Digital Strategy, UMG said, “I am thrilled that Carol has joined the senior management team in Greater China, the fastest growing of the world’s Top 10 music markets, to lead our digital strategy and commercial development there. Her unique experience and strategic vision will help play a vital role in shaping UMG’s growth in this rapidly expanding and important market and creating new opportunities for success for our artists across the region. UMG prides itself on promoting the professional development of its top executive talent, and I look forward to working alongside Carol and her team to further elevate our global vision for the digital landscape moving forward.”
Ding said, “It has been a privilege to work with our global teams alongside some of the greatest minds in the industry. I am excited to lead UMG’s future digital and commercial development across the region, and to join the senior management team in Greater China. This is an exciting time for UMGC, as we look to develop new digital and commercial opportunities to support our expanded roster of artists and labels, and further expand our position as the global leader in music-based entertainment.”
Over the last year, UMGC has become the first major music company to establish various frontline labels across China with the creation of Republic Records China, Capitol Records China, EMI China, and Polygram China in order to speed up A&R investment and development of Chinese talent at home as well as create new opportunities for artists to expand their reach into new global markets.
Carol Ding (Ding Qian) has been appointed to the newly created position of Senior Vice President & Head of Digital and Commercial at UMGC, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG). Ding will be based in Beijing and will report to Sunny Chang, Chairman & CEO UMGC, and Ulrik Cahn, Executive Vice President, Africa Middle East Asia (AMEA).