iWorld
Preeti S Nayyar exits Universal Music Group, joins Billboard India as advisor
UMG For Brands co-founder reflects on growth journey, eyes next chapter
MUMBAI: Preeti S Nayyar has stepped down from Universal Music Group after a transformative nine-year stint, marking the end of a chapter that saw her build one of the company’s most distinctive brand-led verticals in India and South Asia.
During her tenure, Nayyar played a pivotal role in shaping UMG’s brand partnerships business, co-founding UMG For Brands in India in 2017 and scaling it into a major revenue driver for the region. As senior vice president and business head, she worked at the intersection of music, culture and marketing, bringing together artists, storytelling and brand collaborations in ways that resonated with younger audiences.
Reflecting on her journey, Universal Music Group senior vice president and business head preeti s nayyar said, “My last nine years at Universal Music Group have been absolutely unprecedented and the most transformative years of my professional life in every sense. I have experienced the full spectrum, the deep humility that failure teaches, to the profound pride and joy that success brings.”
She added that building UMG For Brands from the ground up was a defining experience. Universal Music Group senior vice president and business head preeti s nayyar said, “Building UMG For Brands India from the ground up has been an unforgettable journey and what made it truly special was the people. To my incredible teams, thank you. I am proud of what we built together.”
Under her leadership, UMG For Brands delivered several high-profile campaigns and intellectual properties, including Coke Studio Bharat, Hyundai Spotlight and Red Bull 64 Bars, along with brand-led collaborations like the Thums Up campaign featuring Hanumankind and Vishal Dadlani. Her approach focused on blending advertising with authentic cultural storytelling, often blurring the lines between content and commerce.
Before her time at UMG, Nayyar held leadership roles across major media and entertainment companies. At The Walt Disney Company, she led brand solutions and revenue for studio marketing, working on campaigns for global franchises spanning Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars. She also served at Twentieth Century Fox and Reliance Broadcast Network, building a strong foundation in film promotions and television revenue strategies.
Academically, she has completed executive education at Harvard Business School and most recently pursued a leadership programme focused on AI at the Indian School of Business, signalling a continued interest in the evolving intersection of technology and media.
Nayyar has already begun her next innings as an advisor at Billboard India, a move that hints at her continued influence in shaping India’s music and culture ecosystem.
As she signs off from UMG, Nayyar leaves behind not just a business vertical, but a playbook for how brands and music can move in sync. With her next move still under wraps, the industry will be watching closely for what comes next.
