L-R – Lam Thoi Dai (Founder – Times Records), Judy Nguyen (Senior Business Development Executive, UMV), Phùng Khánh Linh (Artist), Lan Khanh Phung (GM, UMV), Nido Nguyen (Marketing Manager, UMV), Tram Nguyen (Marketing Executive, UMV), Pham Anh Phu (Co-founder – Times Records).

Ho Chi Minh City, 31 July, 2020 – Universal Music Vietnam (UMV), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced the exclusive signing of Vietnamese pop sensation Phùng Khánh Linh, in partnership with leading Vietnamese independent label Times Records (Hãng Đĩa Thời Đại), marking the beginning of a new collaborative relationship between the two companies. The signing coincides with the opening of UMV’s offices in Ho Chi Minh City this month, under the leadership of Lan Khanh Phung, General Manager, Universal Music Vietnam.

The first artist to join UMV – Phùng Khánh Linh is one of Vietnam’s most popular performers, having found success as a contestant on The Voice Vietnam TV series in 2015. Her 2018 single ‘Hôm Nay Tôi Buồn’ has received more than 250 million streams across all platforms and more than 65 million views on her official YouTube channel. Her new single ‘World Without You (Thế Giới Không Anh)’, was released today, alongside an accompanying music video. The track is taken from her forthcoming album, which will be released later this year.

In making the announcement, Phùng Khánh Linh said, “I am astonished, delighted and extremely excited to become the first artist to sign with Universal Music Vietnam – a company that manages numerous top global artists that I am in love with and in awe of. I hope that the partnership between Times Records and Universal Music Vietnam will enable my music to reach the hearts of audiences around the world.”

Lan Khanh Phung, General Manager, Universal Music Vietnam said, “We are excited to bring Phùng Khánh Linh to Universal Music Vietnam as our first artist signing. She is a talented singer-songwriter that has the potential to help introduce Vietnamese music and culture to music fans here in Vietnam, throughout the region and around the world. This is an exciting time for music in Vietnam, and the launch of Universal Music Vietnam shows our commitment to supporting local music talent and artistry.”

Lam Thoi Dai, Times Records said, “Phùng Khánh Linh makes delicate and creative music and ‘Word Without You’ marks another bold chapter in her musical development. She has the potential to become the next breakthrough artist for a new generation of V-pop. This collaboration between Times Records and UMV, will serve to open up new opportunities for cooperation for both Phùng Khánh Linh and our other artists on Times Records, and hopefully many new opportunities to build success and awareness around the world in the future.”

The launch of UMG operations in Vietnam was announced in September 2019 at Music Matters in Singapore by Adam Granite, EVP, Market Development and Calvin Wong, CEO, Universal Music Southeast Asia & Senior Vice President, Asia.

Speaking on the launch and signing, Calvin Wong said, “This is exciting start for our new division in Vietnam, which is a rapidly developing digital market and home to many talented local artists and musicians. We look forward to further expanding our roster under Lan Khanh Phung’s leadership, helping to boost the local ecosystem and providing support both across Southeast Asia and globally through UMG’s unrivalled network of companies around the world.”

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. Featuring the most comprehensive catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. Universal Music Group is a Vivendi company.

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