Mumbai: Beom-Joon (BJ) Yang has been named managing director of Universal Music Korea, effective from January 1, 2009. The appointment was announced by Universal Music Asia Pacific Region president and Universal Music Group International (UMGI) executive vice president Max Hole, to whom he will report.
Yang will lead and oversee all aspects of Universal Music Korea’s daily operations, as well as head all marketing strategies and new digital directives. His diverse experience in the new media and domestic K-pop industries will prove invaluable in positioning Universal Music Korea as a major force in local, international, pop and classical music.
The appointment will build on the excellent progress made by Universal Music Korea, led by Interim MD Phil Murphy, over the past six months, during which the company jumped from second to first place for physical sales of international music. Murphy will continue to work through the transition period over the next few weeks, until Yang joins the office, headquartered in Seoul.
Educated at Chung-ang University in Korea, Birmingham University and the London School of Economics, Yang comes to Universal Music Korea with more than 10 years’ senior management and media industry experience. This includes his recent tenure as CEO of AirCROSS, the mobile advertising subsidiary of SK Telecom, Korea’s leading telco, and as CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Korea, where he drove its strategies in domestic and digital music. Yang has also served as general manager in Korea of global advertising agency McCann Ericsson.
Hole said, "BJ’s background makes him ideally suited for the challenges of today’s music business, combining previous experience of the industry with significant credentials in the Telco and advertising sectors. Considering that these are playing an increasingly vital role in the new industry landscape, we are perfectly positioned for growth and success in Korea with BJ at the helm."
Yang commented, "I believe it’s a significant time for the music industry to leap forward to a new future, with innovative ideas for endless opportunities, away from a familiar past. I am extremely excited and honored to take up the challenge to create new history for Universal Music Korea."
