MUMBAI: Universal Music Group has promoted its global digital business president Rob Wells to serve on its executive board. He will now report to the chairman and chief executive officer of UMG Lucian Grainge.

In his new role, Wells will be responsible for the strategic development and execution of UMG's digital business worldwide across its various divisions and around all of UMG's digital assets, including the wireless, online and transactional sectors. 

This will include identifying next-generation distribution channels, strategic partnerships and working with UMG's business partners to further extend the company's digital strategy and reach across current and emerging platforms. He is currently based at the company's Santa Monica, California headquarters.

Commenting on the appointment, Grainge said, “Rob Wells has been instrumental to our success in finding innovative and effective platforms and digital partners to help our artists succeed. His promotion to the UMG executive board reflects not only the strength of his performance and his contributions to the company, but also the critical priority we place and significant opportunities we see for our digital business. We congratulate him on his many achievements to date and know that he and his team will continue to deliver results in the months and years to come.”

Wells said, “The combination of UMG's incredible artist roster and inventive digital leadership is a powerful one that offers exciting possibilities for the future.  This board appointment deepens the strategic intersection of these potent assets and demonstrates the recognition and support that my team and I receive from Grainge and everyone at UMG.  We are very excited to continue to drive UMG's industry-leading digital position in more and more creative ways than ever before.”

Prior to this appointment, Wells served as the president of UMG’s global digital business since October 2010.

He has also served as senior VP of the label’s international division, where he was responsible for directing and executing all aspects of the company's international digital business.  He began his tenure with UMG in 2000, when he joined Universal Music UK as division director of digital services.

Wells has also worked at BMG Entertainment, where he began his career in an entry-level mailroom job which culminated with his service as head of internet and new media.