Universal Music Malaysia promotes marketer Kim Lim to MD

Universal Music Malaysia, a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has promoted head of marketing and sales, Kim Lim, to MD. Lim (pictured) takes over Kenny Ong who left to join Astro Radio as CEO in March. The appointment comes as part of a series of strategic hires to further expand and bolster the senior management team as part of the company’s effort to accelerate domestic artist development and label growth within the region.

As a core member of UMG’s regional executive team, Lim will oversee UMG’s operations throughout Malaysia. Based at Universal Music Malaysia's headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, she will report to Calvin Wong, CEO, Universal Music Southeast Asia and SVP, Asia. Having joined Universal Music Malaysia in 2014 from Malaysian advertising agency RedRedRed, Lim has held a variety of senior roles within the company, most recently serving as senior director of new business and artist management and head of marketing and sales for Malaysia.

In this role, Lim led Universal Music Malaysia across partnerships, talent management, live events and other innovative new business initiatives. According to the company, these have established Universal Music Malaysia as the country's leading domestic music entertainment company. In recent years, Universal Music Malaysia has led popular brand campaign activations in the region between its artists and major companies, including: The Singing Pizza campaign with Pizza Hut, Hyundai, Tune Talk, Petron, and Samsung.

In 2019, she spearheaded the launch of full-service management company Celebrity 360, which handles all elements for its clients, including brand partnerships, live events and TV and film production. Prior to joining UMG, Lim previously held positions at Asia-Pacific Videolabs, Warner Music Malaysia, and Golden Dynamics Enterprise. 

At the same time, the company also appointed Hermond Cheng as director of A&R and marketing and head of Def Jam Malaysia, Ivan Koh as director of commercial and digital strategy, and Patrina Wong as finance and operations director. Cheng previously held senior positions at EMI and Warner Music, and joins Universal Music Malaysia from Sony Music where he was GM, Sony Music Malaysia.

Koh joins the team after 14 years at Warner Music Group where he was most recently director, digital account and business development. Meanwhile, Wong started her career in auditing and has experience in both regional and in-country business and finance.

CEO, Universal Music Southeast Asia and SVP, Asia, Calvin Wong, said he is thrilled that Lim's abilities, business innovation and strategic leadership have enabled her to rise from within the company to the top job in Malaysia.

"Having been a passionate and successful marketing executive on the label side, she has achieved amazing results in transforming our non-recorded Income, whilst spearheading the innovative and successful launch of Celebrity 360 in Malaysia. I’m confident that with the team of Lim, Cheng, Koh, and Wong in place, Universal Music Malaysia will continue to expand the opportunities for Malaysian music talent around the world, whilst achieving new levels of success domestically," he said.

Separately, the Group has expanded its philanthropic programme to support those in the music community most deeply impacted by COVID-19. Through its "All Together Now: Stay Connected", UMG has provided direct financial support to organisations such as MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief Fund and Help Musicians UK to provide relief to affected music workers; and matching contributions for US employee donations to qualifying charities. In addition, UMG’s artists and songwriters have also given their time, energy and resources to help those affected by the pandemic, including financial support to a range of organisations.