Red revolution

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has always been a man for surprises, a serial disruptor. And his latest business expansion plan is firmly in keeping with that tradition. AirAsia Group, whose business interests include the Malaysian low cost airline AirAsia and online retailer OurShop, has joined forces with Universal Music Group to launch a new music label.

RedRecords will focus on signing, developing and breaking new Asian artists and elevating ‘A-pop’ globally to new audiences. The parties agree that in the age of streaming, traditional accessibility barriers to global music have been broken down.

The music label will be based in Kuala Lumpur and Los Angeles and combine California-headquartered UMG’s considerable track record in artist development with AirAsia’s regional and global marketing strength to promote Asian music.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes explained: “We have already revolutionised air travel enabling everyone to fly and as we celebrate 18 years of operation for AirAsia – we are focused on transforming the airline into a global digital travel and lifestyle leader.”

It is back to the future for Fernandes, who began his career in the music business before embarking on his AirAsia journey. And it reinforces AirAsia's drive not just to be a leading international airline, but a disrupter in the tech, travel, shopping and entertainment worlds too.