Universal Music Singapore ramps up SG presence, names new MD

Universal Music Singapore has appointed Simon Jerome Nasser as managing director of Universal Music Singapore and head of live, Southeast Asia.

As a core member of the regional executive team, he will oversee Universal Music Singapore’s operations within Singapore, leading and developing domestic and international activity within the market. He will be based within Universal Music Singapore’s regional office in Singapore and report to Calvin Wong, CEO, Universal Music Southeast Asia & SVP, Asia. In addition, he will be responsible for UMG’s live activity across the region in the newly created position of head of Live, Southeast Asia and will work closely with UMG’s global VP, live events, Jimmi Riise to expand and develop strategic live opportunities for UMG’s domestic and international talent, labels and partners within Southeast Asia.

Nasser joins Universal Music Singapore from Warner Music Group, where he held the position of managing director, Singapore between 2015-2020, having started at the company in 2004. During his tenure at Warner Music Group, Nasser is credited with achieving great success in discovering, developing and breaking both domestic and international talent within Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia region.

Nasser has significant experience in the live arena, having helped promote successful tours and shows in recent years within SEA for domestic and international artists including; Kylie Minogue, Josh Groban, FUN, Corrinne May, Derrick Hoh, Anne-Marie, The Click Five, YouTube Stars and MLTR amongst others. A longstanding champion of industry rights within Singapore and the wider region, Nasser is the current Chairman of RIAS (Recording Industry Association Singapore, MRSS (Music Rights Singapore) and RIPS (Recording Industry Performance Singapore).

Nasser said, “I am excited to join the team UMG here in Singapore and SEA. Music has been and will always be my big passion in life.  It is a privilege and blessing to now be part of UMG, the global industry leader and the market-leader here in Singapore. I’m humbled to be given this opportunity to work within a team of incredible leaders and amazing artists to embrace my passion and love for music, a DNA for life.”

He added that over the coming months and years, Universal Music Group will focus on developing domestic artists and labels, nurturing their creative vision in order to help them reach new audiences across the region and globally, whilst identifying and creating exciting growth opportunities for Universal Music Singapore.

“The current live landscape in SEA allows us to help artists, partners and brands curate personalised, innovative and valuable experiences and performances that will embrace the digital space, live streaming and of course, public live events as they become more frequent again in the years to come,” he said.

In September 2019, Universal Music Group launched Def Jam Southeast Asia to focus on the vibrant hip-hop scene within the region, with local divisions across each country. Over the last 12 months, Def Jam Singapore has signed an array of domestic hip-hop talent including; Yung Raja, Fariz Jabba, Abangsapau, YHB Sleepsalot and Alyph with more exciting releases, events and partnerships to roll out over the coming months.

Calvin Wong, CEO, Universal Music Southeast Asia and SVP Asia said, “I am excited for Nasser to join me in Singapore and to help us to build an exciting future for Universal Music Singapore across the region. His skillset is unparalleled in market, his passion is infectious and his track record at breaking artists locally is second to none. I am sure his legacy will continue to shine in his new role.”

Jimmi Riise, Universal Music Group’s SVP, global live events said, “I am delighted that Simon will now lead our live business activity within Southeast Asia. His vast experience and deep local knowledge will help provide a new focus to our activity across SEA and will allow us even greater synergy between our recorded music and live operations in the region, in order to create maximum impact for our artists and their fans.”

UMG SEA is focused and commitment to local language and domestic repertoire in order to provide music fans with the best music experience throughout the region and recently launched Astralwerks Asia - a modern, artist-first label with a true focus on nurturing talent within Asia across the electronic genre and beyond, alongside Ingrooves and Spinnup to extend the range of marketing and distribution services that UMG offers to support independent artists, labels and talent throughout the region. 

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