Universal Music Group’s merchandising and brand management division Bravado has partnered with Alibaba Group to bring artists’ merchandise and exclusive collaborations to Chinese consumers.
The Bravado store will launch today (October 28) on Tmall Global, which is described as “the largest cross-border business-to-consumer marketplace in China”, and will showcase merchandise from artists including Tupac, Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley and Taylor Swift, who will be the store’s first featured artist.
Other artist collections and collaborations will be added each month.
The partnership follows last week’s news that former Bravado CEO Mat Vlasic has exited the company four years after he joined from rival Sony Music.
The store launch will be the first time that merchandise from Taylor Swift’s most recent album, folklore, will be available in China.
In addition, Swift will debut her newest collection exclusively on Tmall Global during Alibaba’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, giving Chinese shoppers access to it for two full weeks before anyone else in the world.
The collections will also be offered through Alibaba Group’s marketing channel Hey Box.
The store will showcase a different featured artist each month, offering a specially curated range of products inspired and influenced by each featured act.
These will include new and exclusive products and seasonal ranges, to coincide with album releases, tours, classic catalogues and other product innovations.
“We’re extremely pleased to partner with Bravado to give fans in China the opportunity to connect with these remarkable musicians.”
Emma Lee, Alibaba Group
“We’re extremely pleased to partner with Bravado to give fans in China the opportunity to connect with these remarkable musicians,” said Emma Lee, Head of Fashion for Tmall Global and Kaola, Alibaba Group.
“Through this partnership, Chinese consumers will be able to access exclusive merchandise from their favorite international recording artists that we know they will enjoy.”
“This partnership with Tmall Global, in conjunction with our colleagues at Universal Music China, will provide both international and domestic artists with opportunities to engage more deeply with fans in China.”
John Habbouch, Bravado
John Habbouch, GM and CFO, Bravado added: “At Bravado our mission is to amplify artist initiatives and create moments and experiences beyond music.
“This partnership with Tmall Global, in conjunction with our colleagues at Universal Music China, will provide both international and domestic artists with opportunities to engage more deeply with fans in China, and to continue to reach new consumers and audiences around the world.”Music Business Worldwide
