Universal Music Group Appoints Vivian Xu
Universal Music Group (UMG) has named Vivian Xu as the chief operating director of Universal Music Greater China (UMGC).
Based in Beijing, Vivian Xu will report directly to Timothy Suy, the chairman and head of UMGC. This appointment is effective immediately, as announced by UMG on Wednesday (March 26).
Vivian Xu’s Previous Experience
Vivian Xu comes to UMGC from Columbia China, where she served as managing director, spearheading artist development, local repertoire expansion, and strategic collaborations with DSP and media partners.
Prior to her role at Columbia, she joined Sony Music Entertainment China in 2015, where she held significant financial and operational roles overseeing finance, legal, HR, IT, administration, and supply chain functions. Notably, UMGC head Timothy Suy previously held the title of chairman and general director at Sony Music China from 2012 to 2016.
“Her appointment will greatly enhance our capabilities as we expand our local presence and further solidify our leading position in the Chinese music market.”
Timothy Suy
Vivian Xu’s professional background extends beyond music, with leadership roles at Motorola Solutions, Sony Ericsson, and Schneider Electric China.
“Vivian’s strategic insight and profound expertise will significantly bolster our ability to navigate complex markets and achieve sustainable growth in the Greater China region,” stated Adam Granite, Executive Vice President of Market Development at Universal Music Group.
“We eagerly anticipate her valuable contributions to our ongoing success.”
Vivian Xu’s Vision for UMGC
Timothy Suy emphasized, “We are pleased to welcome Vivian to the UMGC team. She arrives with an impressive record of success and a unique blend of financial acumen and business insight.”
“We are eager to see her significant contributions to our ongoing success.”
Adam Granite
Commenting on her new role, Vivian Xu said: “I am excited and honored to join Universal Music Greater China at such a pivotal moment for the industry.”
“Alongside Timothy and the talented UMGC team, I look forward to the chance to forge innovative partnerships, showcase the vibrancy of Chinese music, and contribute to the company’s continued growth.”
Vivian Xu
Vivian Xu expressed gratitude, stating, “About ten years ago, Timothy first introduced me to the music business, and I remain deeply thankful for his mentorship. It is especially rewarding to collaborate with him now.”
Vivian Xu joins UMGC at a time when Universal Music continues to invest in its local territory. Last month, UMGC announced an exclusive global agreement with Liu Juan, a legendary artist in Chinese pop music known as the “king of Chinese pop music” for over four decades.
This signing follows a few months after UMGC inked deals with pop megastar Jay Chou and local labels, such as Modern Sky and TF Entertainment.
In September 2024, Universal Music expanded to the Greater Bay Area of China with the launch of a dedicated label unit, Universal Music China Greater Bay Area (UMCGBA). This new division is headquartered in Shenzhen, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of China,” and operates under UMGC, which has offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Taiwan.
Vivian Xu named Chief Operating Officer at Universal Music Greater China
