Universal Music Group has appointed consumer marketing, strategy and commerce executive Richelle Parham as president of global e-commerce and business development.
In this newly-created role, Parham will oversee UMG’s global e-commerce strategy and business development across the company’s labels, music publishing company, operating units and territories. Parham’s appointment is effective June 2 and she will be based in Santa Monica, where she will report to UMG chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge.
Sir Lucian Grainge said: “We are very pleased to have Richelle join our stellar leadership team, where she will play a key role in advancing our global strategy. Richelle’s proven leadership and expertise in consumer marketing, audience growth, business development and direct-to-consumer initiatives will be a valuable resource for our artists and drive our vision of a holistic fan-centric program that complements our partner platforms.”
“It’s an honour to join UMG,” said Parham. “As one of the world’s most innovative and strategic companies in any industry, UMG possesses an incredibly talented leadership team, a global footprint, iconic labels and publishing company, as well as other music businesses. Together these elements form an unparalleled opportunity for a consumer-demand-driven e-commerce business that goes far beyond traditional distribution channels to create important revenue streams, while forging meaningful and impactful bonds between artists and fans.”
Parham has 25-year career in global strategy and marketing at companies including eBay and Visa.
She joins UMG from the firm WestRiver Group, where she served as MD, leading investments in the consumer experience economy. Before WestRiver, she served as general partner of Camden Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in growth-stage global consumer companies.
Previously, Parham served as chief marketing officer of eBay, where she leveraged her background in consumer and digital marketing to develop strategies and execute all marketing activities to reach more than 180 million active eBay users. She was responsible, globally, for eBay’s brand strategy and brand marketing, internet marketing and CRM. She was also responsible for all areas of eBay North American marketing, including customer product marketing, loyalty and relationship marketing, seller marketing and social.
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