Sanujeet Bhujabal named Managing Director, Universal Music India and South Asia; Viral Jani has been appointed as the Chief Revenue Officer

Universal Music India has announced two new leadership appointments, with Sanujeet Bhujabal appointed as Managing Director, Universal Music India and South Asia, and Viral Jani taking on the role of Chief Revenue Officer.

Bhujabal joined Universal India in 2023 to take up the role of Vice President of Content, after almost a quarter of a year. Sony Music Indiamost recently as an Executive Director at Sony Music Entertainment.

In a statement released on Tuesday (June 11), Universal described Bhujabal as “the most respected figure in the Indian music scene.”

Bhujabal will report to Devraj Sanyalwho serves as Chairman and CEO, India and South Asia, and SVP of Strategy, Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA) at large. World Music Group.

Sanyal was promoted last year from Managing Director and CEO to Chairman and CEO, leaving the post of Managing Director open. He was first appointed as Managing Director in 2011.

At the same time, Viral Jani is promoted to the position of Chief Revenue Officer, having previously served as Head of Digital, Strategy & Transformation, India and South Asia.

He joined UMG in 2023, having worked in senior positions The Times Network, The Times Bridge, NDTV, GroupM again Twitterwhere he served as Head, Entertainment & TV Partnerships, India.

Adam Granite, CEO, Universal Music Group AMEA, said the promotions of Bhujabal and Jani reflect the company’s “commitment to the growth and development of one of Universal Music Group’s most important emerging markets. Together they will work closely, with Chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal and myself, to deliver on our mission of building the leading music-based entertainment company in the region. “

“At Universal Music India and South Asia, we have been growing rapidly, through our critical non-film music strategy, making us the undisputed leader in this growing segment and through our acquisitions and partnerships with the market’s leading labels.”

Devraj Sanyal, International Music Group

With the Indian/South Asian music markets growing rapidly, UMG has been taking aggressive steps in recent years to expand its presence there.

In 2022, the company was launched Def Jam India, with the aim of representing “the best hip-hop and rap talent from the region”; and last year signed a strategic partnership with a talent management agency SEND.

UMG also aims to capitalize on the growth of South Asian music around the world, notably by acquiring Birmingham Catalog earlier this year, a UK heritage South Asian label. Eastern Star Centers.

In just one sign of how fast the South Asian music market is growing, data from market monitor Luminatereleased earlier this year, suggests that India could become the world’s largest music streaming market – by volume, if not revenue – as soon as this year, surpassing the US for that title.

“At Universal Music India and South Asia, we have been growing rapidly, through our strategic non-film music priority, making us the undisputed leader in this growing segment and through our acquisitions and partnerships with the market’s leading labels,” Sanyal. said.

“Now it’s time for our next phase of growth and I couldn’t be happier to hand over the reins of Managing Director to one of the most respected leaders in our industry in Sanujeet Bhujabal, and Chief Financial Officer to Viral Jani. . I will now work with our outstanding leadership team to continue to achieve our goal of becoming the strongest music company in the region.”Music Business Worldwide