Music promotions company Listen Up has unveiled plans to expand into the Asian market.
Listen Up will open offices in Shanghai and Hong Kong, with founder Luke Neville and partner James Mack going into business with former Sony Music exec Ryan Wilson. Wilson served as director of electronic music for Asia Pacific at Sony Music.
James Mack said: “Luke and I are really excited to be partnering up with Ryan in Asia, and for him to be leading Listen Up’s endeavours in that market. We have worked closely with Ryan on many projects over the years and feel that the services we will initially provide in Asia will help build both our current clients & new clients profile in the continent even further.”
The announcement comes ahead of this month’s Amsterdam Dance Event a key date in the calendar for Listen Up, which is based in London and Los Angeles.
We are looking at one of the fastest growing music markets in the world
Ryan Wilson
Wilson recently spent 18 months living and travelling across Asia and was influential in establishing the Liquid State label earlier this year. Liquid State is a JV between Chinese powerhouse Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) and Sony Music Entertainment (SME).
Wilson also worked with Sony’s roster, which includes Calvin Harris, Martin Garrix, Kygo, The Chainsmokers, Orbital, Paul Kalkbrenner, MK, CamelPhat and dance labels such as Ministry Of Sound, Ultra Records, Black Butter, Relentless, Insanity, and Nothing Else Matters.
Ryan Wilson added: “Listen Up is regarded and respected worldwide as an industry leader, so it makes perfect sense to partner with Luke and James and the team. Asia has been an exciting and progressive music and cultural hotspot for a long time now, particularly South Korea and Japan. With the undeniable sleeping dragon of China now waking, we are looking at one of the fastest growing music markets in the world. My experience has proven first hand that dance music is right there at the front of it - and the appetite is fierce!”
Listen Up will take on new clients as a result of the expansion, while serving its existing roster.
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