UMG TABS DIGITAL EXPERT FOR NEWLY CREATED ROLE

UMG has named digital entrepreneur Tuhin Roy to the newly created post of Vice President of New Digital Business.

In the role, according to the 6/8 announcement, Roy will identify and work closely with start-ups in the early-stage digital-media sector to develop strategic new digital business partnerships. He’ll be based at Universal’s Santa Monica HQ and report to EVP of Digital Strategy Michael Nash, who had some words for the occasion.

“Tuhin brings an entrepreneurial orientation and an incredible wealth of experience to this role,” Nash offered. “I’m confident his deep knowledge of the start-up environment and investment community dynamics will magnify UMG’s efforts to cultivate the digital ecosystem, promote innovation and establish new revenue streams.”

“Universal Music’s amazing track record of empowering entrepreneurs and embracing digital innovation, from early-stage start-ups to industry-leading companies, has enabled the music industry’s return to growth,” Roy enthused—and he was just warming up. “I’m thrilled to join Michael Nash’s incredible team, and I’m looking forward to advancing UMG’s mission of working with entrepreneurs to develop exciting new digital services for music fans and artists around the world.”

In 2003, Roy founded the Digital Rights Agency, a digital music and TV content aggregation company that he merged with The Orchard. He’s also served as an adviser to SXSW On, 8tracks and MediaLink. He recently co-founded Fanzy, a digital platform that enabled 25k brands and top music artists to reward fans on social-media platforms.

Roy has a legal background, having been General Counsel of Echo Networks after practicing corporate and intellectual-property law at Perkins Coie LLP in Silicon Valley. Before practicing law, Roy was a songwriter writer and producer.