Universal Music India has announced two new strategic leadership appointments, with Sanujeet Bhujabal being appointed 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 on the role of Executive Vice President of Content, after nearly a quarter century at Sony Music India, most recently as Executive Director at Sony Music Entertainment.
In a statement issued Tuesday (June 11), Universal described Bhujabal as “a hugely respected figure within the Indian music ecosystem.”
Bhujabal will report to Devraj Sanyal, who serves as both Chairman and CEO, India and South Asia, and SVP of Strategy, Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA) at the broader Universal Music Group.
Sanyal was promoted last year from Managing Director and CEO to Chairman and CEO, leaving the Managing Director position open. He was originally appointed Managing Director in 2011.
At the same time, Viral Jani is being promoted to Chief Revenue Officer, having previously served as Head of Digital, Strategy & Transformation, India and South Asia.
He joined UMG in 2023, having previously served in senior roles at Times Network, Times Bridge, NDTV, GroupM and Twitter, where he served as Head, Entertainment & TV Partnerships, India.
Adam Granite, CEO, Universal Music Group AMEA, said Bhujabal and Jani’s promotions reflect “the company’s commitment to growth and development of one of Universal Music Group’s most important emerging markets”.
He added: “Together they will work closely, alongside Chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal and myself, to deliver our mission of creating the best music-based entertainment company in the region.”
“At Universal Music India & South Asia, we have been growing rapidly, through our groundbreaking, artist-first non-film music strategy, making us the undisputed leader in this growing category and through our acquisitions and market-leading label partnerships.”
Devraj Sanyal, Universal Music Group
With the Indian/South Asian music markets experiencing rapid growth, UMG has been taking concrete steps in recent years to expand its presence there.
In 2022, the company launched Def Jam India, with the aim of representing “the best hip-hop and rap talent from the region”; and last year it signed a strategic partnership with talent management agency REPRESENT.
UMG has also aimed to capitalize on the growing popularity of South Asian music worldwide, notably with the acquisition earlier this year of the catalog of Birmingham, UK-based legacy South Asian label Oriental Star Agencies.
In just one sign of how quickly the South Asian music market is growing, data from market monitor Luminate, released earlier this year, suggests that India could be the world’s largest music streaming market – by volume, if not revenue – as soon as this year, overtaking the US for that title.
“At Universal Music India & South Asia, we have been growing rapidly, through our groundbreaking, artist-first non-film music strategy, making us the undisputed leader in this growing category and through our acquisitions and market-leading label partnerships,” Sanyal said.
“It is now time for our next phase of growth and I couldn’t be happier handing over the reins of Managing Director to one of our industry’s most respected leaders in Sanujeet Bhujabal, as well as Chief Revenue Officer in the capable hands of Viral Jani. I will now work with our central leadership team to further deliver on our mission of being the region’s most dynamic and innovative music company.”Music Business Worldwide [STAGING]
